Hi all,
I am the proud new owner of an '83 300D with 194k miles on it. It runs, but there are a few issues. I have the problem where the engine doesn't shut of when I remove the key from the ignition until after I lock the door. Also, none of the windows roll down, although the fuses are good and most of the other power options work okay. Any suggestions on where to rectify the problem?

Do a search on VACUME prolems...as that is exactly what you have....lots of specific info has been posted on the subject. And get a Mighty vac you need a vacume guage to really work on this.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

The diesel engine is shut down by a vacuum actuator, controlled by the ignition switch. The door locks are also vacuum operated. They essentially have two sets of plumbing- a "lock" circuit and an "unlock" circuit. You apparently have a leak(s) in the unlock circuit. The most common cause is torn rubber components in the actuators for the doors, trunk and fuel filler door. If you look under ther front floor mats, you will find a number of vacuum lines. The yellow lines with the green stripe are the "unlock" lines. You can disconnect and plug the unlock lines in order to isolate the problem.
Windows sometimes just get stuck. Try pushing down on both sides of the glass while a helper operates the switch. Dirty switches are another common cause of window problems. Also, there is a lockout switch for the rear windows on the center console, which disables the switches on the rear doors.

As for the windows, you say the motor runs but the windows don't go down? That'd odd that it would happen to all of them... my driver side window wouldn't go down but the motor would turn and turn...I needed a new regulator since the old one was falling apart, and one of the gears wouldn't stay straight on there.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Mityvac, click for info on one.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

As for the windows, if none of them work and the window motors don't run (no power whatsever), I would say it is either a fuse (which you checked) or the ice cube relay behind the instrument cluster.

I second the motion for the 'ice cube relay' behind the instruement panel. Had the same problem in my 82 123 and replacement of this relay solved it.

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82 300D Turbo 124,000 mi.

That is a very likely cause. You can confirm that the relay is bad by jumping terminal 1 (red/blue wire)to terminal 3 (red wire.) If the windows work then, the relay is bad. Terminal 3 is hot all the time. The relay closes when the ignition switch is in "run" or "start."

Okay, where is the "ice cube relay" behind the instrument cluster? Forgive me, I am new to all this. I had heard something before about jumping the terminals or powering the window switches directly, but didn't understand very well.

As far as I know there is no power going to the windows. None of the switches work. The sunroof motor works, so I think that there is something specifically wrong with the electrical system that powers the windows(?) Again, thanks for all of the help so far.

I had the same problem, in order to get the engine shutoff to work, I just plugged the line that goes to the door locks under the hood.

Another thing to check is the vacuum shut off on the back side of the injection pump. Remove the vacuum line and make sure there is no oil. When the shut off fails it will allow oil into the vacuum lines. A BIG MESS. Always remove your fuse to check them. Old fuses corrode at the ends and look good.

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2009 CLS550 55,000
2004 ML350 144,000
2004 X5 95,000
2002 X5 165,000
1996 320S 155,000 (sold)
1991 190E 192,000 (sold)
1989 300SE 160,00 (sold)
1984 300D 210,000 owned since 85, (sold)
1984 300SD 160,000 (sold)

vacuum problem is showing a bad switch or vacuuum lock servo easy to fix and common.....

You'll go through them every 6-10 years.

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E