I've been fighting a starting problem with my daughters 85 300D.
This has been going on for about two months now.

Every once in awhile (7-8 times) the car well not start after it has been shut off unless I jump start it.
Like the time she drove it to the station to put fuel in it, filled up, went to start it and nothing, jump it and it fired up.

Before I jumped it, the lights came on radio on etc...

I've cleaned the battery terminals ( battery less than 1yr old) the ground cable to the body, cleaned the connection to the starter.

Could this be the starter acting up?
From what I've read in the search, the starters are a bear to change out on these cars.

Any other things to check?

It's at the school now waiting for a jump.

Sounds pretty typical of a battery with internal problems. Unless it was an awfully cheap battery, it should still be under warranty. Many parts stores will test a battery for no charge. That's where I would start.

there is also an engine to chassis ground, and sometimes an auxiliary ground from bat to starter bolt will help.

good luck

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 had another group 49 battery, so I replaced the new battery with the old and it started up.
Now I need to find my receipt for the new battery take it in and get it tested.

Do you happen to know were the engine to chassis ground is?
There is a wide strap going from the engine to the trans housing, but would that also be a ground?

It'll piss me off if that battery is bad, given the phone calls of Dad, my car won't start again.
I'm positive that battery is not even a year old.

it can happen.

usually the engine chassis ground is near the firewall on one side or the other of the engine.

come to think of it the one you describe as going from the engine to the tranny might be misapplied on one end. no reason for ground from engine to tranny.

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.