i have a 1980 300D and hav trouble starting it after a couple of years. I heard about an ignitor in some cars. does this car have an ignitor ? if it does where is it located and what effect does it have on starting it?

It has a set of five glow plugs.

If one or more than one glow plug has failed, you'll definitely have trouble starting it.

Have you checked to make sure all 5 glow plugs are working?
Have you adjusted the valves?
Check the timing?
Have you had the injector pop pressure and spray pattern tested?
Is the starter strong?
How are the grounds?
Is the battery in good shape and the right one?

Does your car have a block heater and do you use it?
When its real cold synthetic oil cranks over a lot faster then dino.

If the answer is yes to all the above time for a compression and leak down test.

If in proper tune starting is a non issue.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

in my gas stove, my gas water heater and my gas furnace.

none in my diesel.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I will expose my ignorance...
Would a spark plug in place of a GP work?
For sake of exposing my ignorance let's assume the timing can be set to 'ideal' settings.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

I do understand the compression ignition...but when they are having a hard time w/ just compression wouldn't a spark help start the burning? Similar in theory to the GPs running after startup but all the time.

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

will ignite diesel. my son filled my 67 jeepster with it and it ran...barely, and smoked like a fiend.

for a diesel the compression ignition works so much better.

besides how you going to provide it? install a distributor, plug wires, a coil, etc.? yikes!

just get your glow plugs working and unless you are low on compression or the valves are leaking you will run fine.

tom w

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.