Glow plug relay not clicking.

Hi everyone, me Again.... Sorry.
I have sorted quite a few bits out and the next job is, the glow plug relay.
I find it (300tdi) struggles to start when it's cold but fine thereafter.
It's a 1988 110,so don't have the glow plug light but have a choke light, which does not illuminate when I hold the key in the "sprung position" where it should be clicking and heating up the plugs. I thought I'd replace the relay and Flossi was very kind and gave me loads of advice but then we found out that it was a different relay than he originally thought it was, so it has become a bit more complicated.
My question is then, do I need the exact same relay or can I change it for a more basic one? I have put a pic up of the one that's in there now and if anyone wants more pics or detail, I'll get some pics in the morning.
Thanks again in advance.

On an 1988 model there is no relay fitted, the plug's are activated by the key through a heavy duty switch and wiring direct to the plugs
It looks like yours has the full 300 system fitted with a relay. This is automatic and comes on every time you switch on.
Given yours is a conversion how it is set up may be different.
Any12v heater relay with the same spade pattern should work.

Thanks Tottot, I have tried to check everything and it does seem like the relay has gone. Do you know if I'd have to get the same relay or can I change it for a simpler one? Also, this one cost 35 quid, where a four pin 30amp relay is about 8 quid and if it keeps blowing, then it could work out quite expensive having to keep replacing it. I'm afraid I have no understanding of why this one has 6 pins and others only have 4. I would love to have a go at sorting it out myself, as I quite enjoy messing about with the Landy and it's quite satisfying when I do get it right. I took the relay out and put direct power to it and there is no clicking at all, so I do think it knackered. Maybe I should just take a chance and get a new one and see what happens.

Nerocuba said:

Thanks Tottot, I have tried to check everything and it does seem like the relay has gone. Do you know if I'd have to get the same relay or can I change it for a simpler one? Also, this one cost 35 quid, where a four pin 30amp relay is about 8 quid and if it keeps blowing, then it could work out quite expensive having to keep replacing it. I'm afraid I have no understanding of why this one has 6 pins and others only have 4. I would love to have a go at sorting it out myself, as I quite enjoy messing about with the Landy and it's quite satisfying when I do get it right. I took the relay out and put direct power to it and there is no clicking at all, so I do think it knackered. Maybe I should just take a chance and get a new one and see what happens.

Click to expand...

Can you get one from a scrappy, to try ?

In the pic it looks to me there are only 4 wires. Heavy ones taking power to the plugs, smaller ones to activate.

tottot said:

In the pic it looks to me there are only 4 wires. Heavy ones taking power to the plugs, smaller ones to activate.

Click to expand...

Yeah I think there are. The thick brown one is the main power and the thick yellow one seems is the feed to the glow plugs.... I assume the white one is from the ignition and the other thi ner one is a earth. I have ordered a 4 pin 30 amp, fused relay and some new connectors and will give it a go... What's the worst that can happen hey...
other than a large fire on my drive hahahaha.

With a fused relay to activate you should be safe enough.

Thought you might be interested Mate. After hours of fault finding with my trusted multi meter, it wasn't a faulty relay at all. Tested it "properly" this time and the relay is actually fine. For some reason, there was a connector with four wires going in, just before the relay and a 10cm ignition wire coming out of that and into the relay plug was not making a good connection.... Cut the wire and bypassed the connector plug and the relay started kicking as it should when the ignition goes on. Very satisfying finding the fault but still need to change the glow plus, as they are toast but at least the new ones will work.... Hopefully lol
Thanks again for your help.

Good you have it sorted. Hint, when removing plugs do so when engine is hot. Better chance of getting them out without losing a tip. Also get some easing fluid [ plus gas ] on the plug threads a couple of days before.

tottot said:

Good you have it sorted. Hint, when removing plugs do so when engine is hot. Better chance of getting them out without losing a tip. Also get some easing fluid [ plus gas ] on the plug threads a couple of days before.

Click to expand...

Top tip, thanks Mate, will do.