started fine yesterday... now nothing - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1lowdiesel · #1 10-13-2009, 12:05 PM

ok, so yesterday i got in the car and it fired right up like it has everyday since i got it. today, crank and crank and crank and nothing. i do know i need a stringer CCA battery but it's never failed me before. i sprayed a little starting fluid in and it fired right up.

here are some things i've checked already.

fuel to the pump... ok
filters brand new
fuel being returned... ok

while cranking no fuel to injectors.... BAD!

but the car runs fine once it's started, no smoke besides the puff on inital start up from it being loaded up.

so what's my next step?

i figured if the IP is bad then the car would never stay running.

Shawn T. W. · #2 10-13-2009, 12:42 PM

What is the cca on your battery? How old is it?

Are ALL your glow plugs working?

1lowdiesel · #3 10-13-2009, 12:47 PM

the battery is pretty new but the CCA is only 450. i know i know. but even with the car being jumped it didn't go.

well i haven't checked them all but i know they are b/c i can hear the box click off. i assume i can just test voltage at them to see if they are working?

Diesel911 · #4 10-13-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lowdiesel

the battery is pretty new but the CCA is only 450. i know i know. but even with the car being jumped it didn't go.

well i haven't checked them all but i know they are b/c i can hear the box click off. i assume i can just test voltage at them to see if they are working?

No, the Glow Plug can be dead and you will still get Voltage to them (if your Relay is working).
Getting Voltage to the Glow Plugs just means your Relay is supplying Voltage.

Go to the Diesel Giant web site; he has a Pictorial on how to check the Glow Plugs.

Also you never commented on if your Glow Plug Light was functioning normal?

1lowdiesel · #5 10-13-2009, 12:59 PM

cool thanks 911. my glow plug light never worked, well i never saw it come on i should say.

Diesel911 · #6 10-13-2009, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1lowdiesel

cool thanks 911. my glow plug light never worked, well i never saw it come on i should say.

The Glow Plug Lignt and all the other Dash Board warning lights should come on when you firs turn the key, if not might want to check the Bulb. How the light acts can sometime help give an idea what is wrong.

If all of your Dash Lignts do not come on when you first turn the key unless all of you Bulbs are burned out you have a circuit problem, often the ground.

Unfortunately when you have something that works as a system you often have to check the system starting with the most likely part to cause the problem. In your case the Glow Plugs, 2nd the Battery.

1lowdiesel · #7 10-13-2009, 01:25 PM

well my hi beam lights and battery light work fine. all the gauge lights work fine as well. never checked for the bulbs in there though.

i'm reading up on the glow plug diag now.

1lowdiesel · #8 10-13-2009, 02:01 PM

ok so i just went to lunch in it and had to use a small shot to get it started. i drove about 5 min away and shut the car off, ate for about 10-12 mins and came back out and the car wouldn't start.

now if the thing was just running, is it me or should it have started back up after only sitting for 10-12 min?

kerry · #9 10-13-2009, 02:36 PM

We know for sure there is a glowplug problem since your light is not working. I wouldn't waste any time pursuing other possible causes before fixing the glow problem.

DocSarvis · #10 10-13-2009, 02:39 PM

You most likely have 2 or more glow plugs bad. Without good glow it wont want to fire even if it is warm. Best bet is pull them, jump them with jumper cables and replace those that don't glow hot. Thanks

Shawn T. W. · #11 10-13-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocSarvis

You most likely have 2 or more glow plugs bad. Without good glow it wont want to fire even if it is warm. Best bet is pull them, jump them with jumper cables and replace those that don't glow hot. Thanks

+1

+2 = Then get a real battery . . .

(just for reference, mine is 825 CCA!) Once your plugs are all heating up, they will put a draw on a little battery, and won't leave much juice left for the starter . . .

Driving for 5 min is not gonna warm it up, and the little bit of heat in there is gonna dissipate in the 10-12 min you left it off, (Unless you were pulling a trailer straight up a hill the whole time with your foot on the floor!

)would have been better to leave it running . . .providing it was secured.

1lowdiesel · #12 10-13-2009, 03:09 PM

cool thanks guys. i'm gonna pull them tonight and test em. i have a spare motor that i can pull them out of if need be.

yea i was in the parts store yesterday looking at a batt for $100 bucks that was 1150 CCA. i was thinking "ahhh it's a 100 bucks i'll be fine for another week or so"

Phil · #13 10-13-2009, 03:51 PM

Do a search on starting fluid, it can mess up your engine. From what I have read here using WD40 is a better bet.

1lowdiesel · #14 10-14-2009, 10:10 AM

ha didn't know that. thanks.

i did pull and check the glow plugs last night and they no worky

. i ordered a new set this morning and will be here by noon. so i'll report back tomorrow once i get them in.

oh also, i did notice that the glow plug light comes on when i turn the key on but only for a few seconds then shuts off. should it stay on the entire time that glow plugs are glowing?

DocSarvis · #15 10-14-2009, 10:42 AM

Are you saying none of the glow plugs worked? Thats pretty hard to believe? Are you sure you had good connections when you tested them? Just for grins test the new ones when they come in so you will know for sure. The light only stay on for the duration that the car (temperature dependant) thinks it needs to start. The glow plugs actually glow for about 30 sec. I'm just repeating what I think I read on here. Good luck. Thanks