Question about the ignition on a Series III

1976, Series III, 2.25 diesel, I want to make sure I'm doing this right:

- You turn the ignition to let the glow plugs do their thing (how long is a question of getting a feel for it)
- You then turn it further to start the engine
- When finished you pull the engine kill knob to stop the engine

My question is at what point should the glow plugs / charge be turned off by turning the ignition back to the left- when you're finished driving or after the engine starts? Thanks

J80s said:

1976, Series III, 2.25 diesel, I want to make sure I'm doing this right:

- You turn the ignition to let the glow plugs do their thing (how long is a question of getting a feel for it)
- You then turn it further to start the engine
- When finished you pull the engine kill knob to stop the engine

My question is at what point should the glow plugs / charge be turned off by turning the ignition back to the left- when you're finished driving or after the engine starts? Thanks

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That sounds about right. Let the key turn back when the engine starts, the plugs dont like being heated for too long. If the engine runs rough at first, you can actually turn the key up to heat the plugs again while it is running. Make sure you dont go too far and engage the starter!

Because it is a DPA pump, you can use accelerator pedal to assist start if required.

I would go for a count of about 20 on the plugs, any decent plug should have heated by then.

Great thanks. There are three positions on the ignition: off, glow plugs, and ignite. When I go to ignite it automatically springs back to the glow plug setting. Are you saying I should then manually turn it to the far left off position to disengage the glow plugs while driving versus just driving with the ignition in the middle position? I notice I can drive with the ignition in either the off or glow plug settings and when I turn it to off/far left the charge light comes on

Turboman said:

If the engine runs rough at first, you can actually turn the key up to heat the plugs again while it is running

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I didn't know that, thx for the tip

J80s said:

Great thanks. There are three positions on the ignition: off, glow plugs, and ignite. When I go to ignite it automatically springs back to the glow plug setting. Are you saying I should then manually turn it to the far left off position to disengage the glow plugs while driving versus just driving with the ignition in the middle position? I notice I can drive with the ignition in either the off or glow plug settings and when I turn it to off/far left the charge light comes on

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on mine the key springs back so that the plugs are off, yours should be the same.

turn key to activate electrics, turn to just before the point where the starter kicks in and hold for desired time, if your cold start warning light is wired into the plug circuit that will light up when the plugs are on. then turn all the way to start and let it spring back. plugs should now be off

Ok that's fine then, how I was doing it.

How then do I turn the plugs on during driving and in the what circumstances would I want to do that?

Whilst driving I seem to be able to go far left which brings the red charge light on and turns the fuel gauge off or middle which is the normal resting position I normally leave it in.

leave in middle if you turn to the left so that charge light comes on then your battery isn't charging and some of your other electrics may be turned off.

if you want to turn the plugs on you would have to turn the key and hold it as you do at starting.

I think turboman was saying that mainly for the first few mins, say if its really cold and the engine is struggling to idle properly, until things warm up a bit and before you actually drive off, bit like choke on a petrol. once the block has warmed a little it should be fine. mine occasionally struggles on a very cold morning for a minute or two then its fine

J80s said:

Ok that's fine then, how I was doing it.

How then do I turn the plugs on during driving and in the what circumstances would I want to do that?

Whilst driving I seem to be able to go far left which brings the red charge light on and turns the fuel gauge off or middle which is the normal resting position I normally leave it in.

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You wont have to do that. Unless your engine is very tired, or it is very cold. I was just saying it isnt that critical.

Like he says, just let it spring back to the natural position, dont turn it back so the lights come on.

For a while, the diesel ignition switches were unavailable if replacements were needed and many (like mine) have been converted so glow plugs are switched on by a separate button, or, the ignition turned against the spring (like starter motor is normally) operates the glows and a separate button for starting. The amber lamp should gradually get brighter the longer the glow plugs are switched on (assuming the original plugs wired in series are used). Spring Summer and Autumn, 10 seconds of glow plugs is fine. Winter / frosty weather and 15-20 seconds.