Jump Start problem E300 TD 1998

[StirlingMouse]

Please can someone help with this. It may seem dumb but I don't want to wreck the ECU by making a mistake.

Ok so my E300 Turbo Diesel Estate car 1998 with c100,000km on the clock decided not to start. Very unusual. Thinking that maybe the fuel was low, put in 10l and just in case (priming) turned the ignition on for 2 mins, off and key out for 3 mins....did this 3 times. Result battery too low to attempt starting.

So I thought I'd try jump starting or recharging. (Have recharged the battery once before, directly to the battery under the seat....taking off both the negative and positive cables....did this in situ as no way am I strong enough to lift out the battery. I am female and live deep in the countryside.)

Reading through the book and searching online...of course...I discover there is a Positive Post under the bonnet! Great...however the photograph in the book is unclear as where to attach the Negative...it says in the Exterior book on Page 75; 'Engine suspension eye (negative terminal)'.

I do know that, for most other cars, to attach it to an unpainted part but this is a Merc...and I can't figure out where.

Can you help me please?

 

[LostKiwi]

There is usually a post under the bonnet near to the positive post.

 

[EmilysDad]

is there a brass post somewhere near the positive post similar to this? (different car I know, but the jump start post on my ML is similar)

 

[StirlingMouse]

No that's just it....I am baffled but I'll try to upload images from the book and of the engine compartment....

 

[LostKiwi]

If there's no post for negative simply attach it to any part of the engine that the lead will clamp into.
Looking at the inlet manifold there looks to be a perfect place on the inlet manifold between inlet runners 5 and 6.

 

[StirlingMouse]

More

 

[LostKiwi]

Try attaching negative to either marked point.

 

[StirlingMouse]

Do you mean here? Where that hole is?
(Using an iPad ..couldn't find how to draw or write on image...I know Windows better!!!) yes I see it...thank you sooooooo much. Hopefully it will go tickitiboo!!!! I was sure there'd be a knight in shining armour out there somewhere.

 

[LostKiwi]

Do you mean here? Where that hole is?
(Using an iPad ..couldn't find how to draw or write on image...I know Windows better!!!) yes I see it...thank you sooooooo much. Hopefully it will go tickitiboo!!!! I was sure there'd be a knight in shining armour out there somewhere.

Yes that's where I meant. You could attach it to any part of the engine the lead will clamp to that's clean and not painted.

 

[om613]

BTW they don't have an electric fuel pump.
More likely some Glow plugs are dead and /or, it's getting much colder which kills off a tired battery.

 

[StirlingMouse]

Hi there....got it going! Ended up attaching negative to beside the alternator and jump started it. I did wonder about an electric fuel pump. I read somewhere that these cars from 1997 onwards have them but I sure couldn't hear anything. Checked the air filter as a matter of interest and it sure does need replaced...!! Ouch! Of course I should have taken the car for a run afterwards but needed to cut wood before the rain started and so ran out of time. Hopefully tomorrow all will be well. Thank you for your help.

 

[StirlingMouse]

As an aside, I have been looking to see how I add my location (Provence) to my profile...zzzz...

 

[LostKiwi]

Nice part of the world!
Click on yourself at the top of the page, personal details and fill in the box

 

[StirlingMouse]

Nice part of the world!
Click on yourself at the top of the page, personal details and fill in the box

Thank you...done it! It is nice but it has been very wet after a serious drought. No heating at the moment...14deg....brrrr...hence wood cutting!!!! Your part of the world was featured on Les Racines et Les Ailes...beautiful!!!!

 

[LostKiwi]

Thank you...done it! It is nice but it has been very wet after a serious drought. No heating at the moment...14deg....brrrr...hence wood cutting!!!!

We have no heating other than wood burners at our place in the Charente Maritime. In winter feeding the wood burners with oak logs is like feeding chocolate buttons to an elephant.

 

[mioba]

Get A room you two.

 

[Blobcat]

Get A room you two.

Well they’ve both got wood...

 

[LostKiwi]

Well they’ve both got wood...

We haven't. Waiting a delivery in December...

 

[Blobcat]

We haven't. Waiting a delivery in December...

Christmas is normally a given so it’s handy having wood in December

 

[StirlingMouse]

We have no heating other than wood burners at our place in the Charente Maritime. In winter feeding the wood burners with oak logs is like feeding chocolate buttons to an elephant.

I've only got uprooted vines and some ash to burn. It's a lot of work. Been waiting for a chimney sweep for over a month...another week to go and then I can fire up the Godin. Dust is a permanent problem!!!!