No power to glow plugs

mastersdave2 said:

are the glow plugs supposed to be powered even after the glow plug light has gone out on dash?

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Yes they are! The idea is that you start the engine after the dashboard light goes out but volts keep going to the glowplugs to help the engine warm up more quickly.

Can't remember how the glowplug post-start volts supply is governed, by the glowplug timer I think?????


Dave

Apparently the operation of the glowplugs is determined by temperature - see RAVE workshop manual extract below.

thebiglad said:

Yes they are! The idea is that you start the engine after the dashboard light goes out but volts keep going to the glowplugs to help the engine warm up more quickly.

Can't remember how the glowplug post-start volts supply is governed, by the glowplug timer I think?????


Dave

Apparently the operation of the glowplugs is determined by temperature - see RAVE workshop manual extract below.

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great info, i will give it a go, just didnt want to leave it connected and burn something out if it was faulty

mastersdave2 said:

advice because this is the 3rd brand new battery (all different makes) i have had in the past 16 months, this latest one i have only had on for 3 months, i was asked to post readings here which is what i have done, i have sorted out the bad earth i had, and put the battery on charge over night, it is still mega slow turning over just about starts, i have a reasonable good voltage meter, my thoughts all along have been the starter motor, do these figures point towards that?

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Yes it could do but you will only find out by replacing the starter motor or taking a current reading not voltage under load but you will have to know the current the starter motor draws under load for that.
While checking the earth cables did u also check the supply cable to the starter? also the grade of engine oil can have a bearing on how quick the engine spins over but not as bad as u discribe.

mastersdave2 said:

ok so prestarting i had a battery voltage of 12.2v

on cranking i had between 8.9-9.4v

once started it crept upto 14.3v

Advice?

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that was after charging all night? sounds too low to me. i'd be expecting around 12.5+ resting.

alt looks to be working though.

re measuring the current of the starter, you'd need a clamp on meter.. multi's won't be rated for the draw.

I'd say you haven't enough bat juice, so lets figure why.

how long was the time from taking the bat off charge and measuring it? (presuming you let the charger say it was finished)

also, do you use the disco every day? or once a week?

are the batteries the same type each time you replace them?

does it crank over fine if you jump start it?

(btw, atm i'm thinking parasitic load/short)

mastersdave2 said:

ok so prestarting i had a battery voltage of 12.2v

on cranking i had between 8.9-9.4v

once started it crept upto 14.3v

Advice?

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That pre-start voltage is way low. Doesn't sound much different but you should be getting 12.6v min.

Sounds like your battery is goosed and not holding a charge.

Why don't you try this:

1. Disconnect battery from vehicle;

2. Charge battery for at least 12hrs;

3. Then disconnect battery from charger and leave to stand for 1 hour;

4. Now measure the voltage across the terminals - what do you get? If it's less than 12.6v your battery is not holding charge.

Dave