Heater [glow] plug wiring

Hi Guys
Need a lot of help, I've been to 4x4 land rover specialists NO answer.

When I bought the series 3 [1973] the heater plugs had a new wiring circuit that did not go through the Ingnition/starter switch. A direct feed was taken from battery +ve - to 70 amp fuse, to push switch - to ballast resistor & then to No 3 plug. It was wired in series to all plugs via the top connectors with NO earth on No 1 plug.

This gave me no heat at the plugs.
So before winter comes back I THOUGHT I'd sort it. Wrong

When I put an earth strap on the plug Below the insulator I found the plug got hot & so did the switch.

Right let's fit a relay Should work? dosn't wasn't big enough

Can anyone advise how these thing are wired up correctly

The Rover manual has the feed in connected Below the Insulating washer
mine is wired above it

Spent over 10 hours trying to sort this one out any advice PLEEEASE

Robert

the feed should be connected on the small stud above the insulating washer, they earth via the engine so make sure the engine has a good, thick earth strap, the relay you need is a timer unit that can handle at least 80 amps, no normal relay will do as these are really only good for spot lamps etc, your button is heating up as its not meant to carry the current that the glow plugs draw, also by the sound of it, you may have had a dead short by putting the earth to the glow plug, try a diesel specialist they will be able to help with the relay and how to wire it up.

From arjjaze
These plugs Do Not earth through the screwed body section of the plug,
this is part of my dilemma, even with a direct power feed before the balast resistor I stlill get no power to the plugs. A diesel speciallist is on the card s BUT the car is currently SORN

thanks for the reply
Robert

Well if they dont earth thro the engin they must have two wires to them.
I'm guessing they dont,so the clutchdust man is right!
Get yersell a start button from an early series (one that you push to start it wi) press it for 5-6 seconds to warn up the plus and away ye go.
that is if yer engin has a good connection to earth,
Crude but foolproof!

I'm Still stuggling to get it right, I have purchased a 70A relay,
Still do not know if & where I earth out.

Anybody willing to take a photo of their Underbonnet Layout
for me to look at ?
[email protected]

My original wiring can be found at
http://www.arjjazedance.free-online.co.uk/heater%20plug.htm

al help would be appreciated
Robert