83 300SD possessed
 

I recently purchased a 83 300SD and have been driving it with no problems. A couple of days ago I was about a half mile from home and it just died and wouldn't start. The battery is fine and it will "crank" but not start. Today I tried to start it and even when the key was in the number "1" position it was still trying to start. The only maintenance book I have is for my 240D so I am pretty lost here!!!
HELP!

Aggie:

I suspect your ignition switch has come loose or has failed. There is a double switch -- an electrical one and a vacuum one for the fuel cutoff.

I would guess that the car died because the vac switch rotated and shut the fuel off, and won't start because it isn't turned back on -- check the position of the emergency shutoff lever. If it stays down, there you are. You can pull the vac line if this is the problem to get home, but you will have to shut the car off with the lever, the key won't work.

If the starter runs in the '1' position, sounds like the electrical switch is loose, too, or broken.

Both switches are accessable behind the lock when you remove the lower dash panel. Pull the connector(s), switch is held in place by two or three screws.

Be carefull -- there is a plastic "key" so that the connector cannot be installed improperly, and if you break it off, it is very difficult to get the connector on properly -- it will fit in several positions without the key!

Peter