Glow plug removal on TD4

Hi does the TD4 motor have the same issues as the L series regarding changing the dreaded 4th glow plug???? I have looked in Rave ant it is not clear.......

Did this on my TD4 about three weeks ago - it's an easy enough job, no complications like on the older TD engine. All are accessible.

Just get a double-depth socket (think its 10mm) and its pretty simple - i took the time to clean up any mating faces too, since there was quite a bit of crap there.

Glow plugs still didn't work after that and had to get a new relay - haha - glad i changed them anyway though when i saw the old ones.

Hi thanks for the reply can you tell me where your glow plug relay was loacated.......
Where did you buy your glow plugs from.....

My relay was in the e-box (2003 TD4) and the relay iteslf is about 10quid. Your's might be elsewhere, since ive read that they did change the location a few times.

As for the glow plugs, got those from a local Czech parts dealer, cost about 24quid in total, made by BM, whoever they are.

Hi I have been hunting for the relay.....e-box is this the big 'L' shaped one infront of the fuse/relay box in engine compartment on right hand side.....
Or is it in the fuse/relay box ..... the one with the hinged lid directly under the widscreen.........
Was the relay square and yellow........

Thought the RAVE would tell you that bit???

Hi i thought so too ....the thing is the circuit digrams are great ....... but that does not tell you were the sucker is exactly..........on TD4's these have changed a number of times........ so I'm really hoping somebody can give me a clue as to where it is.......a pointy finger would be most helpful......

to my knowledge the glow plug relay is always in the e-box.

yup its the l-shaped box which is held shut by torx screws.

Thanks for this i have been hunting high and low for that pesky relay.....is it a yellow jobby....

mine was a black one. Think this is the one i got:

RELAY

Thanks got one today........contacts look humungous.........replaced it lets see what happens now...... have got some new glow plugs on way.
Did your old relay look worse for wear??? not melted......when I took mine out I put 12v accross solenoid .... it did work...with a click.

When AA tested current draw on startup........they could not find any assumed it was probably relay......unless all 4 glow plugs have died (unlikely)

I will keep yer posted.

How did you clean mating surfaces???? Also were your plugs really tight to remove......any tips on this front...hot engine or cold......????

When AA tested current draw on startup........they could not find any assumed it was probably relay

Glow plug operation is controlled by a temperature sensor. If the temperarure was not sufficiently low they would not be switched on. The RAC repprted the same on a friends Freebie. The sensor could be duff if it was cold.

Thanks Vic, when i changed the relay there appeared to be some sort of sensor in the glow plug control housing are you referring to this or are you referring to the coolant temp sensor???? I thought the coolant temp sensor fed info to ECU which then decideds to use glow plugs and fires the relay etc......when temps are below 5 deg.:blabla:

no it's not a plug in relay. iirc it's the only thing in there apart from the ecu.

think it has brown wiring. separate outputs for each glowplug.

well, thats cack - after getting the car back from the garage where it had the crankshaft pulley done, i finally get to check if my new glow plugs and relay mean the system works now.

Nope...not a sausage - so, ive got new glow plugs, new relay, and the light on the dash does not light up despite the fact its -12 here...

...what next? really dont want to have to take apart my dash for some crappy LED...any suggestions what else could be borked?


--- should i be looking at changing the Coolant Temp Sensor? Seeing as i had another issue where my temp guage seemed to sway to and fro a bit. Also found another sensor in the e-box that looks like a short fat copper screw - anyone know what that is?

Bump - it's going to be around -15 here this weekend - any advice on what next is welcome - really want to get glow plugs working

Hi just to let you know did glow plugs.....first cold start wow what a difference...started within 2 seconds and minimal smoke. Before it would take a good 8 seconds of cranking and a massive plume of blue smoke would come out the exhaust that would engulf the street. I think the engine was being filled with unburnt fuel and washed oil......and when it finally fired wow......... so delighted my glow plugs cost £18 quid!!
Richard

Glad you got it sorted, i'm still trying to track down where the fault in my system is not entirely sure how to proceed now, but bought a multimeter on the weekend (only goes up to 10A current though) and might poke about a bit.

Failing that, i might have to take it to an independent so they can poke about - but thats a last resort.

Hi Defi .... I was in your situation ........ for me my glow plug warning light always came on as if it were working......... I recon it would be possible to bypass the ecu and put two new lv leads to the relay.....on a simple push button switch.....and see if that works
just give it a 3 second push for a cold start.........may be worth a try...........