Hi everyone, i recently bought a 1976 240d. Must one of a few still running in South Africa! Car is running fine but I need advice on the a particular problem. 6/10 time this car starts fine (the salt shaker takes about 30sec to heat up) but it starts immediately. My problem is that 4/10 times I pul the gorilla knob, but the salt shaker does not heat (light) up. I can also see the the battery light is not dimming during these times.
Any suggestions where i should start? Measured battery and voltage is about 12v. Problem is that it happens infrequently?
regards
Eben
South Africa

Check the knob's contacts.

Thanks, i will clean the contacts. Note that this problem however does not happen when engine is warm. It can start 10 times in a row. It only occurs with a cold start. That's why i was wondering about the voltage.

If you do not see the charge light dim, then you are not heating the glow plugs.

Contacts are down below the brake booster, and you can adjust the throw from the pull knob.

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Thanks Jim, can you elaborate on how to adjust the throw from the pull knob?