Glow Plug preheating (not)

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TimGSXR

Active member
Joined
Aug 26, 2006
Messages
38
Hi all,

Done some searching on this, truck is taking about 15 secs of starter motor to turnover every morning. I'm guessing this is because the Glow Plugs aren't getting heat (it runs fine once going). The light on the dashboard is going on and off as normal (a bit longer) and tried preheating multiple times and makes no difference.

Was going to replace glow plug relay (which I think is on the inner wing) but no idea where to buy one from or how much, any ideas?

Cheers

Tim
 
I think the glow relay is a nissan only part. It has to be able to switch ~70A- its the only one thats cylindrical and about 2x the size of a normal relay. There are two stout cables attached- check these first as they like to break off.

Battery has to come out to access, so use a pair of jump leads to re-connect power for testing.

With a DVM you should be able to quickly pinpoint the problem.
 
Timbo_1975 said:
I think the glow relay is a nissan only part. It has to be able to switch ~70A- its the only one thats cylindrical and about 2x the size of a normal relay. There are two stout cables attached- check these first as they like to break off.

Battery has to come out to access, so use a pair of jump leads to re-connect power for testing.

With a DVM you should be able to quickly pinpoint the problem.
Click to expand...

Either your glow plugs have failed, or the relay or cables OR the 65Amp fuse....:thumbs.

I looked at my "French" circuit diagram, For the 2.7 TD version..and the warning light is seperate to the relay so if the main fuse goes you will still get the light.

Look at the voltage on the glow plug bus, you may need long arms to turn on the ignition and read the meter.
There is a 65Amp fuse before the relay, maybe one of the glow plugs has gone Short circuit and took it out, you need to remove the buss bar and meter out each one otherwise you will be replacing fuses.

If you suspect the relay and not the glow plugs you could try this BUT

WARNING: THIS IS A HIGH RISK OPTION.
If it's the relay you could by-pass the relay by feeding 12 volts through a heavy duty cable direct to the bus bar from the battery for a few seconds before starting the engine.
The risk is a possible short circuit at either end of the lead, this could burn the cable and worse, OR short the battery which can cause the battery to EXPLODE. I suggest you try all else first.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME !!!!
 
TimGSXR said:
Thanks for the help so far.

Rustic: What is the "bus" bar?

Ta
Click to expand...

It's the bar that links all 4 glow plugs together, plastic covered metal, it has the feed cable at the far end, Usually has black plastic headed nuts that often break as you remove them, but new glow plugs have normal nuts.
 
also check battery terminals and earth straps for battery and engin.
see downloads,
 
12volt bulb with crocodile clips

I use a 12volt hand-lamp with crocodile clips on the end of the leads when I'm testing this sort of thing.

It's easy to clip one lead on the glow-plug bus-bar and the other lead on a metal part of the engine. If there's power through to the glow-plugs when you turn the key, the 12v lamp will light, if not........check for blown fuse, broken cable or faulty relay.
 
And FYI, I think you'll find the plugs DO NOT go out just cos the light does - it just means they have reached operating temperature....in fact I think they stay on for up to ten minutes after starting.......
 
correct !

You need to test each plug to make sure it's getting volts. get an electrical tester ! check the fuse first, especially if you've touched the buZZ bar and something grounded at the same time.
If you do need a new relay I've got one, assuming you have a TD ?
There's also a timer in the rear passenger wing somewhere, according to the parts diagram, I'll be looking for it tomorrow ! That could be faulty ?
 
I think you want to check each plug has a resistance of between 0.5 and 1.0 Ohm. If all the plugs had failed I doubt it would start, so it might just be one thats gone. If you wait 10-15 seconds after the light goes out I reckon it'll start almost straight away. Mine is doing this currently
 
lacroupade said:
And FYI, I think you'll find the plugs DO NOT go out just cos the light does - it just means they have reached operating temperature....in fact I think they stay on for up to ten minutes after starting.......
Click to expand...


Correct! The TD has a timer and keeps them on constantly for afew mins after engine start.

On the TDI the ecu initially keeps the plugs on following start, then cycles them on and off til coolant reaches 40deg C. - so if you have a stuck open thermostat, you will quickly burn the plugs out.
 
Timbo_1975 said:
Correct! The TD has a timer and keeps them on constantly for afew mins after engine start.

On the TDI the ecu initially keeps the plugs on following start, then cycles them on and off til coolant reaches 40deg C. - so if you have a stuck open thermostat, you will quickly burn the plugs out.
Click to expand...

Close, my circuit diagram shows in fact 2 relay contacts, one Pre which is for pre starting, and the second pair of contacts go through a resistor thus limiting the current for another set time., (it may not cycle!!?? never checked that bit).

The problem with going through a resistor is that if one or more glowplugs go open circuit, the others will each get more current (higher voltage, ohms law..)and cause premature failure, but this is only after the engine has started. This maybe the reason that when one goes the others soon follow.
There is also a temperature sensor that goes into the control unit as well.
Reducing the time on both actions when the engine is warm.
If this has failed then the orange light may be on for longer or less ..

Am I the only member who has the electrical diagram for the TD?
If not can you let me know where to see one in english, this one has been driving me nuts over the last couple of days.

Best regards, Rustic
 
rustic said:
Close, my circuit diagram shows in fact 2 relay contacts, one Pre which is for pre starting, and the second pair of contacts go through a resistor thus limiting the current for another set time., (it may not cycle!!?? never checked that bit).

The problem with going through a resistor is that if one or more glowplugs go open circuit, the others will each get more current (higher voltage, ohms law..)and cause premature failure, but this is only after the engine has started. This maybe the reason that when one goes the others soon follow.
There is also a temperature sensor that goes into the control unit as well.
Reducing the time on both actions when the engine is warm.
If this has failed then the orange light may be on for longer or less ..

Am I the only member who has the electrical diagram for the TD?
If not can you let me know where to see one in english, this one has been driving me nuts over the last couple of days.

Best regards, Rustic
Click to expand...

any good ?


http://bebrs.pie-dabas.net/Webs/Terrano/R20/el.pdf
 
alan said:
I think you want to check each plug has a resistance of between 0.5 and 1.0 Ohm. If all the plugs had failed I doubt it would start, so it might just be one thats gone. If you wait 10-15 seconds after the light goes out I reckon it'll start almost straight away. Mine is doing this currently
Click to expand...

I had a Hilux surf and the Bus bar had shorted with block:eek: so the numpty i bought it off took out the relay:nenau. There was just enough power in the batteries to start it from cold without any glow plugs:D so it is possible - just!!
 
rustic said:
Thanks for the link Briggie, but I have this for the intercooler Tdi, it's the TD one I need. Most of the circuit is the same, but I find the French one closer to what I need, but finding the translations is something else.
Best regards,
Rustic
Click to expand...

what format are they in, pdf file?
 
lacroupade said:
Paper? wassat?? :nenau:nenau LOL
Click to expand...

What was that science fiction film many years ago, Fahrenheit 351 degrees, or similar where all books had to be burnt, if you had one it was a very serious offence.

So if it comes to that situation, "The system" will know exactly what you are reading, or looking at for that matter....oh errr


Hang on..... they do now. :eek:

PS just had an email back even before posting this saying they don't....:eek::lol:lol:lol
 
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