Hi all--

The glow plug preheater light on the dash stopped lighting up yesterday, and now my car won't start. The starter turns, everything seems to be cranking, but the car just won't start. (1985 300TD wagon)

Here's how I got to this point: changed my headlights from sealed beam to H4 Cibies (60/55w) a few days ago, and a couple nights later the alternator light on the dash started to flicker (when the lights were on). After an evening of driving, car started fine the next day, but when I tested the headlights, the alternator light went on again. Next time I started the car, the orange glow plug preheater light on the dash failed to light. The car started fine anyway because it was still warm, but after sitting a few hours, it now won't start. The orange light doesn't go on, the car cranks, but doesn't start. The car is stuck in the lower level of the parking garage at my work.

If the alternator went out, is it possible that there's enough juice in the battery to do everything but pre-heat the glowplugs? Would that lead to these symptoms, and if that's the case, can I jump start it?

If that's not the case, does anyone have any suggestions how I can get the car started, so I can drive it out of this low-ceilinged-not-easy-to-get-a-tow-truck-in-there parking garage and take it straight to a mechanic for work on the alternator-glow plugs-battery-glow plug relay-whatever?

Thanks in advance for any quick responses. (Meanwhile, I'm studying all the posts here on what to do when the glow plugs aren't pre-heating)