1995 E300d, 300,000 miles. Owned for the last 20 years

Ran and shutdown normally last night. We went to start it today it fired off, idle went low and it stopped. I tried to restart and nothing, no turnover, no clicks, nothing. It does have a brand new battery. All I get is a low pitched whine coming from somewhere on the drivers side of the drivers side firewall. Headlights are bright as are the interior lights. Nothing dims or clicks when the key is turned to the start position. I’m baffled by this.

Thanks

Len

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1960 190D (college car), gone
1995 E300D, 325 k
2019 LEXUS UX 250h (spouse mobile)
2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L MB diesel, 185K
1978 GMC Classic Motor Home

There might be play in the shift linkage confounding the neutral start switch. With your foot firmly on brake pedal, and the shift lever in N, turn the key to start then move the shift lever slowly toward D then slowly toward 3. See if there’s a point the engine turns over. If so, you probably need a new bushing or two on the rod between the shift lever and the transmission.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

What side of the car is the starter on?

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

OM606 is on the US driver side.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

I moved that shift lever from park to neutral and back again to park..........nothing. I had those bushings replaced about two years ago. I saw a mention of a K-40 relay. I plan on attacking that tomorrow.

Thanks!

Len

__________________
1960 190D (college car), gone
1995 E300D, 325 k
2019 LEXUS UX 250h (spouse mobile)
2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L MB diesel, 185K
1978 GMC Classic Motor Home

Diesel911 highlighted your comment on a whine. Try with the hood up and driver door open. Does the whine come from the area of the starter by the steering box? If so, maybe the starter motor is spinning but the solenoid isn’t pushing the bendix gear towards the ring gear.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

Found it! Number 5 fuse was bad. Runs like a top! It looked more like metal fatigue as it was not blown. Aluminum fuse.

Thanks all!

__________________
1960 190D (college car), gone
1995 E300D, 325 k
2019 LEXUS UX 250h (spouse mobile)
2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.0L MB diesel, 185K
1978 GMC Classic Motor Home