Hi all,

My '85 wagon began sporadic starting when the summer heat wave started. The car will start when cold, but as the temp rises during the day the chances are slim.

When I turn the key to start, I hear just a click and the interior lights dim for a sec. Waiting a minute might work, might not. Starting the car via the terminal on the under hood front passenger side works fine everytime.

Where is the most likely location of the problem?

My gauges work fine.

__________________
JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

Wow now here's a refreshing thread! Most diesel starting problems on this forum seem to be related to cold weather rather than too hot...

Is the car out in the sun?

I think you need to check connections from the terminal block you mentioned to the key - working on the principle that the warm weather is warming one of these connections up so much that contact is (almost) broken.

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

When it is very hot or very cold electrical weaknesses will surface.
1. I would start with your ground wire from the battery. (negative cable) Clean it and the metal under the attachment at the body.
2. Also check the engine to chassis ground strap and clean it and the places it attaches.
3. If your problem persists an auxiliary ground strap from a starter mount bolt to the negative terminal of the battery might be in order.

I had to do that on one of my old benzes.

Good luck!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Could be bad connections in the ignition switch also. Account on here somewhere of a member solving the problem by cleaning the connections inside the switch.

__________________
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