Hi all
I need help quickly.
I just stopped my car (1980 300TD) in an no stopping zone to unload something. I put the hazards on- then when I turned the engine off all the electrical stopped working and now I can't restart the car. Randomly, I got a brief flicker of power but then nothing.

I'm going to start searching the posts but any immediate help would be greatly appreciated. I can't afford a ticket much less getting towed!!!

Thanks, Christine

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Christine
1980 300TD- 300K-ish miles- "Gertrude"

wiggle the terminals on the battery. make sure you have a good connection, if loose, a little tap or twist is enough to get you going.

hope that helps


peter

where is the car at right now? I'm nearby and will be out today...

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Johnhef- Im in Baltimore- Mount Vernon area at Charles and Center. If you're nearby Great!

I'll go fiddle with the battery terminals. I've been playing with the connections under the hazard switch but no luck yet.

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Christine
1980 300TD- 300K-ish miles- "Gertrude"

Maybe just a dead battery? alternator died? can you confirm the Battery has enough volts with a volt meter?

7 years as a tow truck driver, always try the easy stuff first!

Peter

Okay, I'm now parked legally...phew

Thanks Peter,
I've felt like a jerk posing dumb posts here before but this one takes the cake! Here I was thinking that the hazard lights had done some thing terrible to my eletrical system....But no, the negative battery terminal was just loose.

Thanks for the quick replies! And offers of help!
I do kind of love that everytime it seems like something major has gone wrong- I check here and it's an easy (or at least managable) fix

Thank you, thank you
C.

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Christine
1980 300TD- 300K-ish miles- "Gertrude"

Glad it worked, I'm just sitting here eating a late breakfast with a big smile on my face thinking what an amazing thing the internet and this site are. Amazing that I could help you fix your car with a few simple words from a thousand miles away!

Your welcome

Peter

Awesome!

I once posted a 'help' message to a w201 board using my web-enabled cell phone. I had shredded the serpentine belt and wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions, as the belt drives the water pump and I could only run it for a couple of minutes before it would overheat. I had a response within a few minutes and was able to coax the car to a gas station using electrical tape as a make-shift belt.

Glad it was nothing major...

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1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified

I have one of those hotel style mini-split HVAC things in an addition on my house. The V belt for it died one day while guests were here. I made a belt out of green duct tape for it. That was 2 years ago. I still have not replaced the belt...

Always keep duct tape in the trunk!

-Jim

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1995 S350D, Green with black leather interior.
Bought January 2008 w/ 233,xxx miles.
I did 22,000 miles during the first year of ownership.

Panty hose make a good extremely temporary fan belt. Just stop any nearby woman and ask for hers.

Panty hose make an exellent emergency belt.
Just don't tell your wife that.
OR.......maybe you should otherwise she might have
some questions as to why there are panty hose
in your glove compartment.

Oops, didn't read the last post.
Louis.

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Not always the smartest but certainly not dumb?

hmmmm when i had my boat built in Wedgeport NS I never saw a woman with panty hose????????

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)