Engine stopped - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gdl40 · #1 02-07-2010, 11:21 PM

I drove my 84 300d to the mall yesterday and when I left, the car started right up with no problem; however, after driving a block,I noticed the charge indicator lamp was on. Also, the radio was on but would not work. I started home, but the engine died after a couple of blocks. After sitting a couple of minutes, I tried starting the engine again and everything worked fine. Made it home OK, but now I'm leary to drive the car until I can figure out the problem. Any suggestions/help would be nice.

kerry · #2 02-08-2010, 12:24 AM

I'd check the connections at the battery.

leathermang · #3 02-08-2010, 12:30 AM

The electrical system has no effect on the diesel engine that is already running...
If you suspect complete electrical failure you might leave it running and drive it home before turning it off...

compress ignite · #4 02-08-2010, 12:39 AM

All "Three"

Primary (In-Line)
Secondary ("Spin-On" , even thought It's NOT)
Tank Screen in the bottom of the Fuel Tank.

Or try Startron,First!

LUVMBDiesels · #5 02-08-2010, 08:44 AM

How was the temperature gauge?
Are your drive belts slipping or just gone?

kerry · #6 02-08-2010, 09:25 AM

There must be some issue with the electrical system for the charge light to come on. I like the idea of the seized belt or something like that causing the light to come on and stall the engine. But it seems there would be squealing.
Don't see how fuel filter problems would cause the charge light to come on.
The reason I suggested he check the battery connections is because he appears to have lost all power since the radio wasn't working.

brownrice78 · #7 02-08-2010, 04:26 PM

Maybe a failing alternator that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. This could be the beginning of it. Not sure why the engine would die though.

Codifex Maximus · #8 02-08-2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdl40

I drove my 84 300d to the mall yesterday and when I left, the car started right up with no problem; however, after driving a block,I noticed the charge indicator lamp was on. Also, the radio was on but would not work. I started home, but the engine died after a couple of blocks. After sitting a couple of minutes, I tried starting the engine again and everything worked fine. Made it home OK, but now I'm leary to drive the car until I can figure out the problem. Any suggestions/help would be nice.

Hmm... charge light on... radio would not work... car died... sat a couple minutes and restarted.

Well, it's not the battery. And, if it's a diesel then electricity is not why it died unless the alt is seizing in which case as suggested there would be excessive squeeling.

I'd check all the fuses, check the belts for wear and tightness, check the voltage across battery with engine off and engine running. Checking those filters couldn't hurt either - might be a coincidental problem.

compress ignite · #9 02-08-2010, 05:51 PM

Here on the Alternate Universe roadway ,if a Diesel stops unexpectedly,
Primary Suspects invariably are the FUEL filters (CLOGGED).

[Heck,Y'all can shoot the Alternator with a 12 gauge ,and it won't stop the
engine.]

Supposedly,the reason we bought these things from the Klingons was that
they would run WITHOUT the Necessary Nuclear Powered Generator.

The Electrical Problem is easy...Bad Connections [Include Grounds]or Bad Alternator (Or Alternator Parts).
If it's the Battery,even easier...Check Electrolyte level...2 amp charge 24 hrs...(remove "Surface Charge")...
Test Electrolyte with hydrometer.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrometer

LUVMBDiesels · #10 02-09-2010, 12:08 AM

Hmmm, the charging light aside, if the engine gradually slows down and then stops and then starts up right away, it could be what I had happen on the 300SD. The shut off switch in the dash started leaking vacuum, this activated the shut off valve on the IP albeit very slowly. The car would run normally, then loose power, then idle slowly then shut down. In two minutes it would start right up. Pull the vacuum line from the shut off valve on the IP and see if the engine stays running. In fact if the engine is idling too slow that would turn on the charge light, right?