So, here's the deal: Today we had some snow and cold car ran fine but as the evening progressed the radio went out, then sometime later the antilock light comes on so I am thinking that if I try to restart the car it will go away (I decide to do this at an intersection, snow is everywhere, doh!!!). Car doesn't start, starter won't turn over, when ignition is engaged the lights dim, speedo/tach needles jump. Now this has happened in the cold before, car sat overnight in the cold and won't start, engine would barely turn over. Regular jumping doesn't help (battery to battery), only way to get it going is to use a heavy duty battery jumper. Figured it was the batter, got a brand new MB battery. So today, after pushing the car into a parking lot and waiting for AAA to come and jump the car, I've noticed driving back home that the lights were very dim, speed and tach needles were way below normal reading, but when the car just has the key in the ignition (just battery power) all lights are alright. I've read these threads:
'86 300 SDL - Mystery - Please Help
http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=10787
and from reading them it would seem that the alternator gets stuck. All other possibilities seemed to be ruled out: new battery, glow plugs work, starter works, fuel is getting to the engine. I will try to check this out tommorow making sure all accesories spin and that the cables to the starter are more or less alright. Am I missing anything? Any suggestions?