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  #1  
Old 01-29-2001, 12:11 PM
Grant Nelson
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Hello again!

In my first post last week I mentioned how my car started with first turn of the key - I was very impressed!

Yesterday, it started fine, but the glow plug light flashed on and off for about 30 seconds. This happened each time I started the car through the day - even when the car was thoroughly warmed up.

This morning the glow plug light didn't come on at all. Thinking that it was maybe just the light, I left the key at the glow plug position for the regular amount of time, then tried to start it - no luck. The engine turned over OK, but wouldn't fire. Also, the glow plug light was flashing when the starter was engaged.

The car is scheduled to go in for valve adjustment and tranny fluid and filter on Wednesday - but it looks like it will get towed there - not driven!

The Haynes manual has nothing about this problem. I searched this site this a.m. and could find nothing directly related to this problem either. Can someone help?

Thanks!

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  #2  
Old 01-29-2001, 02:14 PM
LarryBible
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Is this car pin or loop type glow plugs? If it is pin type, replace number one glow plug, or at least check it.

If it's loop type you will have to explore a little deeper.

Good luck,
Larry
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  #3  
Old 01-29-2001, 03:27 PM
Grant Nelson
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I haven't had a plug out yet - but I think they are pin type. They are parallel wired - not in series like my 75 was. The 75 was definitely the loop type plugs.

Pardon my ignorance here, but which one is the #1 glow plug?
Could you please explain why this would be the problem?

Thanks.
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  #4  
Old 01-30-2001, 06:35 AM
LarryBible
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Remove the plastic cover from the glow plug relay on the left front inner fender panel. Pull off the rectangular connector. These contacts lead to the plugs. Check each pin to ground with an ohmmeter. If you do not have continuity, a plug or wiring is open.

You very possibly will discover the number one plug to be open. Number one is measured by the relay to decide when they have glowed long enough to start the engine.

In this box, there is a 50 Amp bar fuse about an inch lnch, or so, long. Ensure that the fuse is okay.

Let us know what you find.

Good luck,
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  #5  
Old 01-30-2001, 12:13 PM
Grant Nelson
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Thanks for your response Larry.

Found the relay box last night. The 50 amp fuse is OK. I found the section in the Haynes manual re. checking the plugs, but don't have an ohmmeter. I'll borrow or buy one today and try the checking process tonight.

I assume that the connector plug is numbered 1 through 5??

I tried checking for power at the relay. Didn't really know what I was doing, but here's what I did:
1. Put one lead from the test light on each side of the 50 amp fuse. The ignition was at the glow position. Test light did't come on.

2. Put one lead on the power connection to the relay and the other to ground -light still didn't come on. This makes me think that the relay isn't getting power, but at one point I'm sure I heard a "CLICK" coming from the relay (timer shutting down????)

Does this help in the diagnosis of my problem?

The former owner of this car had it for 10 years, and provided me many of the bills she had incurred. I note that: 1) a used glow plug relay was installed on May 12, 1999, and 2) a note on a May 25, 1999 bill "Glow plug draw is 110 amp Glow Plugs need replaced" There is no bill indicating plug replacement. The car started extremely well until a couple of days ago.

You can tell I'm no mechanic, and will have a pro fix this if required - but would sure like to solve it myself (and also save a bunch of $$).

Sure do appreciate the feedback!

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  #6  
Old 01-30-2001, 11:08 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 168
Grant,
I had the same problem a few months ago. When I would start my car the glow plug light would flash for a while. One day I went to start my car and it just turned over. I checked for power at the relay,checked the connections. Turns out I was most likely getting by with just one glow plug until that morning. I took all of the glow plugs out and checked each one by connecting jumper cables from a battery and then putting one clip on the base of the plug and touching the threaded tip with the other. If the plug is good it should turn hot and red in just a few seconds. Mine were all bad. Put new ones in and it started right away.Also the glow plug light did not flash after it started. I'm not sure if that is a good way to check them, but it worked for me. Good luck, andy
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  #7  
Old 01-31-2001, 11:51 AM
Grant Nelson
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Hi Andy: It sound like your problem was exactly the same as mine.

I got an ohmmeter and checked the plugs last night. The one closest to the firewall (is this #1 - I'm still confused!) and the #3 plug aren't working.

I said in my post yesterday that the relay wasn't getting power - turns out I didn't check it right - it does have power to it.

I will order some glow plugs and let you know what happens.

I'm thinking that I should replace all 5. Is this normal practice, or is it only necessary to replace the non working ones?

Thanks to Larry and Andy for their help.
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  #8  
Old 02-01-2001, 11:47 AM
Grant Nelson
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I put the 2 glow plugs in last night. Back to a great starting car! Thanks guys!

PS: Changing those glow plugs took me a long time - those little suckers are hard to get at!! What a feeling of satisfaction when I finished and everything worked. One of my goals with this car is to become a reasonably competent "DIYourself person". It appears by looking at the different threads on this site that many of the jobs that my mechanic told me were REALLY complicated can be accomplished if I'm careful and follow directions.

With the Haynes manual and the great technical help from this site, I'm sure that I will be able to do most of the work on my car.

Cheers!
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  #9  
Old 02-01-2001, 12:54 PM
LarryBible
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Number one is the front plug. Replacing all five has always worked out well for me.

Good luck,

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