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        General >> Problems >> Diesel Glow Woes!!
        
(Message started by: waders on Feb 28^th, 2005, 1:48pm)

Title: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by waders on Feb 28^th, 2005, 1:48pm

Hi guys,

I'm having problems getting Ellie's van to start on cold days.
It's got good compression, the diesel is vaporising and not "dripping", I've put on a new set of glow plugs but I'm not convinced they are heating up properly.

My question is could the glow plug relay, if faulty, affect the plugs temp?

The van will start after a struggle with a fresh charged battery, but using more charge than it's short journey's will re-charge.

Any suggestions greatly accepted.

Waders.

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by SaveTheNight on Feb 28^th, 2005, 2:26pm

answer is yes waders ! ..... pull the glow plugs and connect them one at a time across jump leads for a second or two with a spray of WD40 on them to check that they all work .. don't just rely on a test light at each plug .. relay looks to be the cause though and very common .. hth ....... STN

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by waders on Feb 28^th, 2005, 2:33pm

STN,

Cheers mate, I hoped for that very answer!!!!

You is a star ;)

8) ;D 8) ;D 8)

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by gaz01gaz on Feb 28^th, 2005, 6:13pm

hi waders,have you tried direct power to the plugs before cold start?try, if you can to put power across the plug supplies 12v and see if the start is any easier???i once owned a 1988 astra 1.6d van and had nothing but probs with motor factors glow plugs,after only a few weeks they would fail when removed and bench tested,good luck,,,gaz

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by Paul B on Feb 28^th, 2005, 9:11pm

I've only just looked in on this topic. :-[

I once had a problem with my van not starting up properly. I eventually found that one of the glow plug fuses had cracked through. There's 2 of them on mine, and are a flat blade of something like 35amps each.

One went and gave difficult starting. With both gone, those plugs just don't heat up.

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by Badboytunes on Feb 28^th, 2005, 9:23pm

Also try turning the ignition on , wait for the light to go out, then repeat 2 more times. This will help as well.

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by waders on Feb 28^th, 2005, 9:24pm

Ok then, tomorrows course of action is;

1, check the fuses (I havent done this as the light works)

2, Try direct power to the glow plugs, I take it if this works then the relay is the logical fault.

3, A can of thiners and a box of winners, problem solved.

But seriously guy's thanks for the suggestions.

8) ;D 8) ;D 8)

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by Paul B on Feb 28^th, 2005, 9:28pm

Yes, the light on the dash still worked for me. I sat there wondering how long it would take to go out ???

So it could well be a fuse.

Good luck :)

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by gaz01gaz on Feb 28^th, 2005, 9:51pm

hi again waders,another thing to keep in mind,when i had the astra deisel van,we had an auto trician look at it,well the relay and such,he brought to our attention that even when the glow light goes out the plugs carry on for up to 30 seconds after,listen for the relay "click" or put a test light on them and see......

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by waders on Mar 2^nd, 2005, 3:13pm

So, I hooked the glow plugs direct to the batt, started like a petrol motor!!
Checked the fuse, good.
Spent 20 quid on a "cold start" relay at the local auto spares shop...............SORTED, starts 1st turn of the engine.

Thanks again guys.

8) ;D 8) ;D 8)

Title: Re: Diesel Glow Woes!!
Post by gaz01gaz on Mar 2^nd, 2005, 9:18pm

nice one waders ;)