New Pre-Glow Relay Timer makes a difference
 

After a few weeks of chugging starts and belching black smoke, I got a great price on a pre-glow relay timer from the Diesel Giant and wow what a difference in starting.
With what seems like just a tickle of the ignition switch, she roars to life without a puff of dark smoke.
I followed a lot of suggestions I found on this forum to properly diagnose my problem and ruled out new glow plugs or bad wiring.

I bought the part for $126 including Ga. tax and put it in on a chilly morning in five minutes. The trickiest part of the whole job was attaching the relay to the wheel well on the driver's side.

Glow lights on the dash came on right away and when it went out, a tickle of the key and she was roaring. Before it took a few tries and I could always hear the battery weaken as the starter chugged away.

This forum sure is a great play for exchanging information and solutions.

Thanks to all you guys and gals.


G.R.

some one tell me if i'm right, but wern't the same pre-glow relay used on the 350SDL? can i install that in my SD with the same result?

Pre-Glow Relay and 84 SD
 

I believe when I referenced the part it was for a few model years.
So, your '84 SD should be included. Is your dashboard light out?

G.R.

I need to replace my glow plug timer relay and am shopping around. Diesel Giant has the relay for an 85 300 D for $200 (guess the price has gone up since 2006). Auto haus has it for half that; anyone recommend a better price, or anyone have experience with Auto Haus? "Hueco" is the brand they sell... Opinions on used parts?

Thanks,
Chris

For a much better deal, look under "Glow Plug Kit" at the aforementioned AZ vendor.

Cars are not scrapped because of bad glow plug relays. So the wrecking yards are a good source. If you can get one for five dollars or so especially.

The problem is since they are a consumable item with use it is more of an unknown of how long they will last . The ones I have picked up in this fashion have lasted well so far.

I even got a couple of spare units when the price was good. I just ask the price of certain parts when visiting salvage yards. Cheap I buy. :) Or is it that I am cheap.:eek:

Ultimatly they can be sold on ebay if a friend or I never need them or I aquire too many. One sale in that fashion would pay for many of them.

Ultimatly they can be sold on ebay if a friend or I never need them or I aquire too many. One sale in that fashion would pay for many of them.[/QUOTE]

You wanna sell one? Ha. Thanks, I'll visit the local junk yard. if you would like to sell one, tell me how much w/ shipping; I'm at ctoakes2003 at yahoo dot com.

And Tango, thanks for the AZ recommendation; I'll check.

Some people have fixed their relay by filing the points. Have you checked the fuse?

That would be interesting. I've never taken one apart but would like to. It certainly should be possible to clean up the relay contacts. Burned contacts will prevent the glow plugs from reaching full heat and could be a cause of hard starting.