350SDL with no start issues

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It had not been driven for a year. The Battery was replaced 6 months ago, along with the spark plugs. The glow plug indicator does not turn on on the dashboard anymore. My issue is it will turn over (crank) but not start. The first try it only turned over but wouldn't start so we fully changed the battery and it did start. we drove it 500 miles, turning it on and off at rest stops and to fill the gas tank up. But once we parked it for the night it would not start the next day, only turning over (crank) but not start. Any sugestions? We are currently rechanging to battery again fully. But not sure if something is draining it over night, or something else?

Foreigncargirl in Atlantic Beach FL

Jan 1, 2011

2 Replies

Popular Answer

danddon Jan 1, 2011

I think that you mean that you replaced the Glow Plugs, a Diesel has no spark plugs. If the glow plug indicator does not light and the engine will not start I would check the Glow Plug Relay, it may be worn out. Mercedes calls it the pre-glow time relay.

Foreigncargirlon Jan 2, 2011

Thank you Dandd for your reply. I feel very silly right now. I used to have a 1982 300SD in school, I should know better. Guess my memory has slipped! Yes you are correct no spark plugs. I received clarification from family that had some repairs done on it before we just got it. Just the battery was replaced. The Glow plugs were not replaced. Since my original post we have replaced all fuses and it started after the battery was charged again. It had a bit of a rough time but it eventually did started. then idoled fine. We turned it off for 15 minutes and it started right up. At the moment we have a trickle charger hooked up to it. Could a bad Glow Pug or relay drain the battery in 10 hours? THis is what happened in past. Thank you again Dandd for your input!

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overbyson Jan 3, 2011

First, the alternator needs to be checked to make sure its charging the battery. Second, check for a parasitic draw. Yes, it MIGHT be the glow plug relay, but not very likely. If it was hard to start when cold, this indicates that the glow plug system is not working. Perform amperage test on each glow plug to determine if one or more is defective. You will need someone that knows this system to do a little diagnostic work for you.