what had been a faithful battery (purchased in 98 from the punch out indicators on it ) died suddenly with no signs of getting progressivley weaker. It was working fine and then yesterday just would not turn the car over even with jumper cables to another car.
I bought a new battery. Now the glow plug light now blinks after start up.
Could I have had an existing glow plug problem before that only became evident with a fresh battery? I am confident I didn't get the posts backwards.
The engine spins faster before starting for sure but it wasnt hard to start before either.

Previous battery 750cca, new battery 850 cca
1979 300sd

Eric Z

Eric,

Did you expect a postcard from your battery relling you that it was going to fail? That's the way most batteries die; quickly like yours did, probably from an internal short.

The GP indicator is telling you that there is a GP with an open circuit but it doesn't tell you which one. Do a search and you will find out how to do a resistance check to find the bad one. Then replace it. I suggest you buy 2 and carry a spare in glove box.

P E H