Hello everyone, great forum you have here. I'm currently checking out some diesel mercedes in the area and I've come across an interesting find.

I've bought quite a few cars in the past that needed work, and it usually ends up as a good deal. I'm not quite sure what to think about this one. I'd appreciate any help you can provide.

Here's a little info on the car:

1984 300SD turbo Diesel

164,000 miles

Was running and starting up fine until December when they let it sit(they bought a new car). They did a tuneup to sell the car and went to crank the engine and it just cranks slowly and will not start up. They had AAA come and tried to jump the car with the same result. I'm figuring either the battery doesn't have enough juice to turn the starter fast enough, or the starter itself is going out. They are selling it for $900, which seems like a great deal for the miles on the car, and the fact that it's a turbo. I'm going to go by tomorrow with a voltage meter to see how things look, but I'd appreciate any insight you guys might have. If this seems like it could be a horrible deal and a never-ending headache, then by all means, please tell me. hah!

 

Check the battery ground cable and the engine ground strap. The engine should turn over normally if being jumped from a running car (but give it a little charge time first) or if you first make sure the battery is fully charged. If it does not, you either have a bad ground or a bad starter motor. If the battery won't take a charge, you need to replace it. If you can elevate the car, you can put power directly to the starter and see how it cranks. If it cranks fine, you know it's a ground/battery problem.

 

Thanks for the reply. I decided to go with a car that needed much less work. I don't think my wife would have appreciated me buying her a car that doesn't run right off the bat. This car is running great so far('83 240D) except for the erratic shifting. I changed all of the fluids/filters out as soon as I brought it home, and its running like a dream. I'm currently working my way through the vacuum system to fix the erratic shifting.