Glow Plug Light Permanently On

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Daymo

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I have an '86 110 with a 200tdi and the glow plug light has come on and stays on. I wondered whether it was the relay, so I went to look for it. In the book it says it's on the engine bay bulkhead, but I don't see it there. I looked behind the fuse panel and behind the dash, so my questions are, Is there one on the 200tdi? if so where may I find it, and if not why would the light be permanently on, could it be an ignition switch problem?

Thanks for any pointers.
 
Ok, I've had a look, and I've taken a photo of where I think it should be, the arrow points to the cable that goes to the glow plugs, and it's possible to just see that the cable goes straight through the bulkhead. If there isn't a relay, as I understand there aren't on the NA's - which this used to be, are the plugs purely controlled by the ignition switch?
 

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1986 its obviously a conversion either factory or home made in the latter case it could be anywhere if fitted. Most of the conversions i have seen inc some factory installs they use the ignition switch instead of a timer relay as tdi rarely need glow. mabe its worth bearing in mind. I would check to see if the glow plugs are live when the light is on, check with a multi meter and trace back the heavy duty wire back from there Jai
 
i would really not advise taking them off although i probably would myself well in summer anyway. I would look at the ign switch check when you turn the key weather there is any spring if the spring has gone then that could cause it

Key in = Ign off
1st pos= accesories

2nd pos hold against spring for 10 sec for glow

3rd pos stronger spring for starter motor engage then it should return to accesories/ign on
If you cannot distinguish 2 different spring pressures then its quite likely that your ign switch is damaged try staring up and turning the key backwards until ignition is on and you can feel it against the stop see he the light goes out Jai
 
Right, I think it feels ok, but with the ignition off, there is a live terminal on the back of the ignition which has a Brown and Red wire, If I disconnect that the Glow plug stops being live, so it's the ignition. Should I replace the ignition switch (or is it possible to open it up?) and should I fit a relay whilst I'm at it?

Thanks again for your help.
 
i wudn worry too much about the relay if it used to work ok. You can replace just the switch bit and keep the existing barrel, they are about £30 on paddocks, and they do wear out. Or, you could just put that wire you mentioned above through a different high current switch on the dash and operate the glow plugs like that, when ever they are required.
 
And your brown and red wire is indeed the correct wire for the hot plugs, according to this wiring diagram. It also connectes d'rectly to the warning lamp an'all, so yes if the lamp is on and the wires aren't all burnt out, then the glow plugs will be on eating away at your battery.
 
Dunno if it's standard but my '89 90 only has three positions off, on an glow plugs, the engine start is on a button. An there int a relay for the glow plugs. The switch int designed to come apart but with a bit of bending an prizing an some solder an emery paper it's mendable.
 
Thanks guys, I've ordered just a switch from paddocks as there are a couple of tiny screws at the end of the barrel and I'm hoping that the switch comes out easily.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks
 
GRUNT said:
Dunno if it's standard but my '89 90 only has three positions off, on an glow plugs, the engine start is on a button. An there int a relay for the glow plugs. The switch int designed to come apart but with a bit of bending an prizing an some solder an emery paper it's mendable.
Click to expand...

pretty sure that ain't standard. As far as i know the switch has off, on, heat, start. And if you waggle it, theres a position between off and on where the engine and its warning lights are off, but the radio and gauges and other electrics are all on.
 
I din't think it was standard but the switch looked unmolested, till I got me mits on it. I reckon it's probly off a petrol model an the glow plug position would be the sarter position. I kinda like the button start bit, It's easier to find in an hurry.
 
I finally got at the switch today and changed it all with no problem (except for undoing those pesky shear bolts) and replaced the starter switch in about 2 minutes, everything (not everything obviously, but the glow plugs etc) works like it should now.

Thanks again.:D
 
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