Mark thanks for the response. I checked the battery connections and clamps and everything good.
Can you tell me what would cause the battery NOT to charge while the car is running??? I drove it around for 40 mins and the second i turned it off i tried to turn the car back on and nothing- no lights at all.
thanks again everyone just had work done and was ready to start driving and now this!! aghhh
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Mark in Lakewood, CO" <beeser750@...> wrote:
>
> Something's pulling it down. It's possible that whatever is draining it now has been for some time; it's just that now, the battery is dead.
>
>
> Keep in mind that, once these cars are started (like, after a jump), they don't need any power from the battery or alternator to keep going. Only the loss of fuel will shut it down. Other power accessories, like the radio, lights, heater, etc., WILL need electricity to work, but, the engine does not. (It's EMP-proof....)
>
>
> So, just because you can get it going with a jump, doesn't mean the battery is getting a charge while you're driving it around. That last time it started may have been all that was left in the battery.
>
>
> First, make sure the battery has good connections; that the terminals and clamps are clean.
>
>
> An alternator with a shorted diode (or diodes) will drain the battery when the engine's not running , and not put out enough to charge it back up. Have it checked (places like Sears, AutoZone, etc., will do that service, while still in the car, for no charge). Make sure the glove box light and the radio REALLY turn off. Also may want to make sure the glow plugs aren't stuck on.
>
>
> Mark in Lakewood, CO
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kevlog6" <kevlog6@...>
> To: "diesel mercedes" <diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 4:22:39 PM
> Subject: [diesel_mercedes] battery dead/ no power
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I had a few things replaced on my 84 300d and it was firing up just fine. i replaced the battery last fall. yesterday i took it out for a ride, fired right up and drove it 10 miles, parked it for about 4 hours and came back out and it was dead. i jumped it and drive it back 10 miles. turned it off and no power at all, not even any lights coming on. today i did the same, jumped it and let it run for about 45 mins. turned it off and nothing. any suggestions?
>
> what surprised me is that the battery was so dead in 4 hours when it had sit for weeks at a time and always started.
>
> could it be the alternator voltage regulator?
>
> thanks for any suggestions
>
