The only thing I have done since the last time I started the car was replace the sunroof fuse and then test it without starting the car (the sunroof opened!).
The car turns over, but does not start...What could be wrong?

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1982 Silver 300DT

First thing to do is check the fuses in the glow system. I believe the fuse (80amp?)for your model is in the box on the left front fender.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The glow lamp not illuminating could be caused by bad plugs. Check these first with an ohmmeter (disconnect them at the relay first). Also check the strip fuse. These are the most likely problems.

I did pull one of those by mistake-it appears the one closest to the front (there are 2) has a pin that is blackened. Is that indicative of a bad fuse? Can I get one of those at any auto store?

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1982 Silver 300DT

I can pretty much assure you that you didn't pull the glow plug fuse by mistake. It's not in the fuse box.

I know-it's the black plastic lid covering 2 silver box-like objects.

Speaking of which, I pulled the other one just for the helluvit and it also has a slightly-blackened pin.

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1982 Silver 300DT

How do I check these fuses?

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1982 Silver 300DT

You can check them with an ohmmeter, or carefully look for cracks. Or just replace them.

But since you say there are more than one, you can't be looking in the right place. The glow plug relay is a black box on the front of the left front fender, about 5" long and 2" thick. It has a rather solid bundle of wires going to the plugs. There's a single fuse within.

In the relay box there are two plugs, #1 for the GP's, #2 for the timer. #1 (closest to front of car) is for the GP's. It is a six plug receptical, only five of which are used. #2 is a four plug unit, all pins should be silver. One of those "pins" are black plastic, it is a guide for the plug to properly fit. This is true for both plugs. Hope this helps.

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83 SD

84 CD

Yup, checked it out after figuring out where the box was. Fuse (metal strip) is shiny and intact. Plug pins all look clean.
It's just wierd that this thing ran perfectly, but once I changed the sunroof fuse it wont light up...
It's the type of thing where you're pretty much screwed if you don't know what you're doing.
VERY frustrating

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1982 Silver 300DT

I had no light on the SD, one checked bad, replaced all (unnecassary). Check all GP's with ohm meter. A reading of less than one is good. Let them warm up to their max by listening for a click long after the light has gone out, the other dash lights will brighten up a bit. This is the full cycle. May have to use a little throttle.

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83 SD

84 CD

Probably the sunroof fuse is unrelated. More likely glow plug relay may be bad. Mine went bad with no indication except battery was not charging which would lead one to believe the alternator was not working. Not the case, it was bad glow plug relay.

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Rev. Dr. G. Church of the SubGenius
It doesn't take a genius

May I just say that this link is brilliant:
http://dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm

Thanks to the person who put this together. It's a bloody lifesaver to the seriously incompetent (like myself).

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1982 Silver 300DT

The way it worked on my car was
one bad glow plug and it would start rough but I would get the light on the dash
Two bad glow plugs and no dash light and no start

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1983 300SD
200000miles

Well, the car's been sitting for some time. I had to charge up the battery to start it the other day. Started fine with glow plug lights. Then, it sat for another week. No glow plug lights.
I've had to charge up this battery a number of times over the past year, so I suspect that has something to do with it.
At any rate, I'll be checking the voltage on the battery first thing tonight...

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1982 Silver 300DT