190D - Should They Fire Right Up in the Cold - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Amphicar770 · #1 01-30-2007, 08:05 PM

Just called the seller. Not sure if I am feeling better or worse.

The guy is not a dealer, just someone who buys a lot of cars he finds interesting, keeps em for a while, then sells. I have done the same thing myself. This car allegedly had one owner who he knows and bought it from.

I am not certain if he knows much about diesels (or is just BSing me) as he was telling me that this one "does not have glow plugs" which is the only reason it sometimes takes a 2nd or 3rd try. I said, "huh, how can it not have glow plugs". He replied that he does not see a glow plug light like on other diesels when he turns it on so he figured it does not have glow plugs.

OK, so we now know that the glow plug light is not working. What would be the likely cause of this? If something simple it could be a good sign in that he is just not waiting for them to cycle. On the other hand could it be inidicative of a bigger problem. Thoughts?

yellowbenz · #2 01-30-2007, 08:12 PM

I'll bet he's not seeing the light. Mine is on the left side of the row of idiot lights and is usually obscured by the steering wheel unless I look out for it. In bright light is impossible to see. It's not as sheltered by the dash overhang as the 123's are. Check the fuse next. Other's here will be more knowledgeable about glow plug diagnostics.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

justinperkins · #3 01-30-2007, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amphicar770

Just called the seller. Not sure if I am feeling better or worse.

The guy is not a dealer, just someone who buys a lot of cars he finds interesting, keeps em for a while, then sells. I have done the same thing myself. This car allegedly had one owner who he knows and bought it from.

I am not certain if he knows much about diesels (or is just BSing me) as he was telling me that this one "does not have glow plugs" which is the only reason it sometimes takes a 2nd or 3rd try. I said, "huh, how can it not have glow plugs". He replied that he does not see a glow plug light like on other diesels when he turns it on so he figured it does not have glow plugs.

OK, so we now know that the glow plug light is not working. What would be the likely cause of this? If something simple it could be a good sign in that he is just not waiting for them to cycle. On the other hand could it be inidicative of a bigger problem. Thoughts?

The 190 seems more similar to the W124 than the 617, so here's what I know:

If the #1 cylinder GP is broke, the GP light on the dash will not illuminate. If more than one of the GPs in cylinders #2-#6 are broken (that means more than one), then the GP light will not illuminate. However, if one and only one of the GPs in cylinders #2-#6 are broke, the GP light will still illuminate as expected.

My GP light was not operating, replaced GP #1 and light now works as normal. I still have rough starts when cold, which tells me that one of the other GPs is bad.

Amphicar770 · #4 02-01-2007, 02:43 PM

Hi all,

Well, the good news turns out to be that the seller was indeed a bit clueless when it comes to diesels. He did not realize that the GP light is the GP light and was not waiting for it as he thought that the 190 does not have glow plugs.

Anyway, per my other post, I took delivery of car. Glow plugs work as they should and car starts right up on first try.

Thanks.