I have a 1984 300TD wagon.
Yesterday I went out to start it.
I turned the key on half way.
Waited for the glow plug light to go out.
When it went out I went to crank it and the engine began to turn for maybe half a second.
After that it did nothing. All the dash lights went out.
Interior light wouldn't come on.
Headlights wouldn't turn on.
So, I pulled the key and stuck it back in and tried again. Still nothing.
No lights. No sounds...except for the ticking of my dash clock.
My first thought was that the battery was dead, but I wasn't sure how this could be since I hadn't left any lights on.
The battery is about 6 months old.
But I tried to jump it anyway.
Even with it being jumped it didn't do anything.
I figured this could be any number of things, but I'm not sure where to begin.
Any ideas?

Thanks

Bad battery. Put a charger on it. When charged, load test it.

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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

also be a smart idea to check your grounds too, and the condition of your battery terminal connectors. Filthy connections will limit the power flow.

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

^^^^What HE Said!!!

Sounds like a bad ground or wire.

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1987 300DT
2002 Ford F-250 7.3 Crew Cab Short Bed

The strain of high current requirements opened a connection. Not an uncomon senario. I cannot see an instantainious battery failure but anything is possible.

Properly clean all main connections. Battery terminals, earth straps etc. the sudden load has killed a connection.
I find the best way to clean terminals etc is to disconnect them & tip boiling water all over them until they are clean. It does a good job of dissolving the corrosion. When they are dry they need coating with some sort of protectant like grease. Make sure they are tight when put back together.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Battery selection / Charging System / jump starting / cold weather battery issues
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1058189

Thanks. I thought for sure it would have been something else, so I didn't spend much time with the battery after I tried to jump it. I guess I was over thinking it.