I have a 1982 300d that won't start. Whenever I try starting the car initially it turns over as if it will start then dies. I checked to see if my son had put gasoline instead of diesel in it (he did that last year) that seems ok. What else can I possibly check, for past week it had been taking many attempts to turnover before it started. Also glow plug light had stopped working since last year.

 

there are possibly 2 things first is the glow plugs might ont be working causing a hard start check to see the amp draw best if you have a dc amp clamp around glow plug wireharness set to highet setting should read 3+ amps or so. also check the glow plug relay box located just behind the driverside headlight it should be a box (black or metal box with 2 seperate wire connectors plugging into it . that supplies power to glow plugs also controls your dash glow plug light . its either a burned out bulb in kombi or glow plug relay module is bad . i would start there . also shine a light behimg the fuel filter the fuel should be clear with no particales . or dark sections in it
some times the fuel ca be contaminated if sitting a while causing hard/no start

 

diesel giant has a glow plug repair article.chec it out www.dieselgiant.com/glowplugrepair.htm

 

Changed glow plugs and car starts, thanks for the sugeestions they were great
Glow plug light now works too.