Another Glow Post

[ctsoth]

1984 300D Turbo Diesel

First, I did try an go to the diesel giant diagnostics page but the link would not load for me.

Second, I have done some searching but I am having trouble finding the information I need.

So here is the problem. My glow lamp indicator works intermittently. Last time I went to start the car the lamp did not turn on when I had the key in the "glow" position, and the lamp came on after the car started. The lamp stays on while the car is running.

The indicator light seems to go back and forth from not lighting at all until the car is running, or lighting up exactly like it should and then just not shutting off.

Also, I do not think that power is shutting off to the glow plugs. I am reading 12v via volt meter on the plugs even after the car has been running for well over a few minutes.

The car starts well, and runs well at cold idle. The glow plugs are not old, all new with maybe 1k miles on them tops. All Bosch.

I have cleaned and checked the connections at the plug regulator, with no result in system operation. I have checked the aluminum fuse on the regulator and it reads same voltage on both ends leading me to believe that the fuse is not cracked and is functioning properly.

Does anyone have a link or instructions on how to troubleshoot my glow system? If I had to guess I would say that my regulator is shot, but I would like to test ever component in the system before making that purchase and I just don't have the knowledge to do so right now, so please, any help is greatly, greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

UPDATE: I pulled the regulator out, and it the housing was filled with water. I am going to make the giant assumption that, that is problematic. I will also assume the the circuit board is completely fried as it has been sitting in and operating in conductive liquid.

[JimFreeh]

If your getting power to the glow plugs AFTER you have started the engine, then the GP controller is shot.

Jim

[ctsoth]

Yup, just pulled controller out and it was filled with water. Looks like the gasket dried up over the years, it is cracked in 5 or so places.

Even with the cracks in the gasket, I am still at a loss as to how it got so much water in the controller. It has a cover, and it is under the hood. Any ideas?

[compress ignite]

This car ever lived on the US gulf coast?
Any water marks (lines showing "High Water") in the engine or passenger
compartment?

There are no S'Roof or other drains any where near the controller,correct?

[ctsoth]

I could see how water would drip from the hood onto the box, but it looks fairly water resistant.

I have had the car for 3 years, the relay failed this week. I mention that because I think if it was the result of vehicle submersion it would have surfaced earlier in my ownership. Also, I bought it from the second owner, who was personal friends of original. Elderly couple, they provided service records and other formalities.

Well, I think I may have solved it. I live in Minnesota, so I think snow and ice formation melting and refreezing over and over could eventually cause water to collect in glow plug relay housing.

[a2t]

Someone probably water cleaned the motor at some point and filled up connectors and such with water. Exactly why my engine is so dirty, afraid of stuff like that. Fix it soon or you will burn out those plugs. They arent meant to run all the time.

[ctsoth]

I pulled out the controller and cleaned it, controller no longer supplies power at all. The only reason it "functioned" is because I realistically had electricity passing through a conductive pool, the Relay is quite fried.

I am going to order one of the new style afterglow systems.
http://www.***************/search/product.aspx?sid=wjb4fk55tq2x4uzquvbua2yo&makeid=800016@Mercedes&modelid=1193790@300DT&year=1985&cid=glow@glow&gid=7164@Glow%20Plug%20Kit