I have a 1985 300 turbo diesel. On several occasions, when I attempt to start the car, it will not start. The lights on the dash light up, including the glow plug light. When I turn the key to start, nothing happens. I only have this problem when I try to restart the car after turning it off for a short period of time, such as running into a store. It does not happen every time. Whenever I leave the car parked for a longer period of time, it fires right up. Does anyone know what might be causing this problem? Thanks for your help!!!

So no noise, clicks or anything else? Just turn the key and absolutely no sign of life?

First thing I'd do is get a cigarette lighter volt meter, and stick it in. Go through thre process, starting with charged battery (~12.7V) through the glow cycle, then turning the key to start.

Id be especially interested in the voltage when turning the key to start.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Occasionally there will be a click from what sounds like behind the dash, but not always.

Sounds like a bad connection or a bum starter/solenoid. Check your battery connections, the connections at the starter, the battery to ground and chassis to engine connections.

If the problem persists, give the starter a whang with a hammer or such. If it works after that, you've got a bad starter.

I second the bad connections. Look at all the connections on the starter and battery as well as the chassis ground.

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Is this a 300D or 300SD? And, does it have a manual or auto trans?
If it has an Auto Trans it could be the Neutral Safety Switch. Try jiggling the shifter or try starting in N instead of P and see if it starts.
If it is a 123 300D US model look for the Junction Block (it may still have a plastic cover on it).
You can connect a Remote Starter Button to the side pointed to by the Yellow Arrows (Trans selector in Park). If it starts OK like that you Starter and wiring down there are most likely OK (still not a bad idea to clean the connections).
That would leave the Neutral Safety Switch (if you have one) or the Ignition Switch itself as possible problems.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

With the time quoted it sounds like the starter is heat soaking. The old solinoid gets hot and will not perform it's function till it cools down again.

Of course check the wires and connection as well. See if the old solinoid will activate by turning it on from the box out on the fender well. This when the key does nothing. The slightly increased voltage may be enough to activate it.

Finally had nice enough weather to do some work on it. I changed the starter and haven't had a problem since. It sounds much stronger when I turn the key to start it than it ever did before. Thanks for the suggestions.