My 1983 Mercedes 300CD will not shut off. I have to open the hood and push the STOP lever. All visible vacuum hoses appear connected. Is there a fix for this. I am not going for perfection. I just want it to shut off, when I take out the key. My wife is afraid to drive it.

P.S. a vacuum hose to the door is cracked at the door hinge area. It used to make a hissing noize when I shut down the car, now I cannot listen for it because the engine is still running. Door locks dont matter to me, I don't have a door key. Drivers electric window stoped working also. Is this all connected?

Desperately Seeking Advice

Mark

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1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

There is a vacuum shut off valve by your IP. Check to see if it holds vacuum. If not replace. Yes if there is a cracked vacuum hose going to your door that could also stop your car from shutting off. Any vacuum leaks in the 123 vacuum system could stop your car from shutting off. The window is a hole different system, that runs of electricity.
Rob

In the engine compartment, left side near the fire wall, you should find a 4-way vacuum connector. (It's next to the brake booster.) If you disconnect and plug the connector line that goes to the yellow check valve, you will have isolated the door lock system form the rest of the vacuum system.

Just don't tell her that you fixed it!!!

One small clarification. A runaway engine is being fueled by an out of control situation and will rev till it destroys itself. Or you can figure out a way to deny the engine its fuel source or ability to burn it. With suffocation being the best quick option whatever it is. You have to be quick. Your was just a common shut off problem. Just posted this so no confusion arrises in new members minds.

I would guess that your leaky vacuum line to the door is your problem. Try plugging that line going to the yellow vacuum connector, as was suggested above. A golf tee should work nicely. Seeing as how you don't care about the locks, you could just leave it that way if indeed it is the problem.

The yellow vacuum piece should be next to your oil filter housing. The 'left' side, BTW, is actually the right side if you are looking at the car from the front. It's on the driver's side.

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

Here is a quote from a popular automotive repair manual:
"References to the left or right side of the vehicle assume you are sitting in the driver's seat, facing forward."

I agree. Whenever we refer to "left" or "right", it assumes that "left" is the driver's side and "right" is the passenger side.

Be careful, now. Not all drivers sit on the left!!!

Damn..........correct, yet again.

Anything LESS than the sound of a jet airplane TAKING OFF IN A STAND-STILL MODE, IS NOT "diesel engine runaway". Failure to shut off with ignition key is accurate, but to call that "runaway" is like calling a flat tire a brand new Ferrari. When you experience a runaway, you can never speak calmly about it again. But I do understand when the thing won't shut off, it is technically runaway, if you don't really know what runaway is, first hand.

BenzDiesel

Except, perhaps, for the part about the ignition key.

CAUTION!
Please, please, please, recommend a precaution on this type of maintenance. If the vacuum shut-off valve is replaced and fails to operate, then there will be a runaway. Especially if someone is not prepared for it. Some are not aware of this.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

That one could be taken more than one way (a backseat or passenger seat driver )......... but yes all references to port or starboard are made as though one is facing toward the bow. It is standard born of early seafaring I believe, and has stood the test of time as a method to avoid possibly dangerous errors or confusion .

How are your brakes? If the pedal is hard, then you have a vacuum leak - fix it before you can no longer stomp hard enough to stop.
If your brakes appear to be in great shape (you can push on the brake pedal 2-3 times and feel no appreciable difference in assistance), then I would eyeball the shutoff as suggested.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D