Dickie ignition switch

I've spent a bit of time driving my 1989 90 doing impressions of a Cheshire cat, wish I'd got one earlier.

But there are a few problems I want to sort out.

The ignition switch is a bit Dickie.

A. Should the glow plugs be on a timer

B. should the ingnition switch be similar to a cars, ie 1st notch for aux power, 2nd notch for power to ignition circuit, then self return 3rd position for starter motor.
At the moment mine goes to a 3rd position which is the glow plugs, (there is a self return 4th position which doesn't do anything) you turn the key back to 2nd notch, then press the windscreen washer button (honest) at which point, if you held the key in 3rd position long enough, and managed to get the key back to 2nd position, the engine will burst into life.

Hope somebody will be able to help if your not laughing to much!!!!!!!!!!

Just had another look, It's the choke warning light yhat comes on when you hold the key in glow plug position!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes it is a diesel according to DVLA website it was supplied with a diesel.

take the bulb out that should fix the problem.

A squirt off furniture polish down the ignition switch has sorted it out, key now springs back from third position (heater plugs) to second position.

I am guessing that the separate starter motor button is normal, though prehaps not one with a screen washer symbol on it!!!!!!!

I'd still like to know if the glow plugs should be on a timer though please.

I'll stop posting crap jokes if you'll tell me.

Oh I yes, I forgot.

If somebody would be so kind, I'd like to know if the glow plug light looks like an automatic choke light. Or have I got the wrong lighting panel fitted.

I dont suppose it realy matters, I was just born curious I suppose.

Hi Grunt,

Reference your glow plug question. Yes the glow plugs should be on a timer, the relay is located on the engine bay bulkhead on the drivers side. The choke light is your glow plug illumination, instead of fitting a different symbol Land rover just use the choke light for Diesels.
Hope this helps. I have a 93 200tdi which I know is different but the basics should be the same.

Regards

Mac

Cheers Mac.

Just what I wanted to know, I'll go looking for the relay tomorrow.

GRUNT.

just bought one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8022573823&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_ReBay_Pr4_PcY_BID_IT

have been looking for ages for my series 3 diesel these guys supply the components for ford and other big names
havnt got it yet but will keep you informed

this link will also help the grey matter regarding glow plug systems
http://www.londontaxiclassics.com/articles/glowplugsystems1.pdf

below is for a basic diesel engine glo system

basically glow indicator is just wire to each end of glo resistor "curly coil on series bulkhead" to glo indicator lamp "yellow" on series dash cluster with 6v lamp (bulb) inside and no earth on lamp (bulb)
the lamp lights using the voltage drop across the series resistor so do not place an earth in the lamp circuit


(-) --------O--O--O--O---WWW---+

circles glo plugs, www=resistor ,
wire 6 volt lamp 1 wire to one end www and other wire to other end of www

the ignition switch or any other switch should not take the full current to the glo plugs without the use of a large relay (starter type) so---

batt pos (then big 80amp fuse if you worry)to load side(BIG LUGS) of 80 amp lucas type "can relay" other load term on "can relay" to curly resistor onto glo plugs to earth (if series plugs)
(if parallel type glo plugs fitted i.e no lead from last plug to earth but earthed thru each glo plug body to engine block to earth)
position 1 on ign switch( SERIES 3 DIESEL NEG EARTH) to either(fuse if you are a worry wort) or switch term on can relay (small lugs) other small term to earth.

I've not had any problems with the actual light (just the fact that it was the choke light) or the relay, It's the timer, I think it has been removed 'cos I can't find it!