C220 1994 sometimes doesn't start

If it ISN'T cranking over ok ... and has a discharged battery..
Disconnect the leads from the rear of the alternator. A faulty alternator can discharge a battery within minutes. Charge the battery and leave the alternator disconnected. Try and start the car.

If - with a charged battery and alternator disconnected - the engine seems very slow to crank or makes a 'clicking' noise ... try cleaning the battery terminals - particularly where the black lead connects to the engine block/bodywork.

Check the leads -and terminals - for breakage/corrosion. A 'bad earth' or corroded/loose battery terminal can cause non-starting problems.

If all is ok and the car spins the engine but won't start, suspect a sensor fault.

Don't waste money on replacing part after part in the hope that the care will fire up. The best - and cheapest - option is to have an OBD - a hand held diagnostic check done. This will identify any error codes and tell you the cause .. i.e 'crankshaft sensor fault'.

It is not a problem of sensor as it is not showing any dashboard light, neither it seems to be a problem of battery as battery gets charged after driving if the alternator is working fine or otherwise it won't start at all after overnight standing. It could be a problem of starter solenoid as it has copper windings and when the copper winding gets old it functions intermittently. I am sharing a video that will explain it better.

Check battery and connection.

in cold weather diesel gels up and sometimes causes a no start issue..a cetane fuel additive helps with this issue. if temps go below 20 degrees, add a quart per tankful of cetane to the fuel to help start on cold mornings. also diesels require more amperage to crank than gas engines do..thus a stronger battery is needed..

I had the same problem I replaced the battery terminal it worked fine for sometime and it started giving same problem after sometime I cleaned the battery rod and terminal with water mixed with baking soda it works fine. Hope this will help you

Do you have the 4.3L engine with spider fuel system? That system is noted for problems. Key on engine off, fuel pressure, 60--66 psi, use a fuel pressure gage. It needs that pressure to start, after it starts, it will run with less pressure.
There could be other issues? Engine cranking, you have spark at the plugs and fuel injector pulse?

There are usually three things that cause this problem. Either 1. your car is intermittenly having the power supply to the ignition interrupted, i.e., loose battery cable or ground, or ignition module, etc 2. your alternator is failing intermittenly, or 3. Your fuel pump is going out. The most common is the fuel pump, especially with your symptoms. The way you test, is, when it won't start, shoot a little fuel into the throttle body, and see if it hits and dies, or hits and keeps going, etc. These things are notoriously intermittent, and of course, you can only troubleshoot something when it's currently not working. As for the alternator, you'll usually have some other warning sign, such as a battery light, or failure of instruments, etc. As for the ignition module, it's more of a remote chance that I included as an option. Hope this helps you out.

Dead battery... Sometimes if the battery is very low then it must sit with the jumpers on for a few minutes to charge the battery. If everything worked fine after the engine started then the alternator is working ok. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean as necessary.

you said you cleaned the grounds did you also clean the positive side of the battery ? The starter is ok because you said that when you jump it it starts up fine .. check your battery posts again .. thanks Jerry holler if you need more help

sounds like you need a new battery, it probably isnt running enought cranking amps to start your car, try a different battery and it should start fine