I seem to be having glow plug troubles. I have been having trouble with starting the car for two days now...It is very cold so I have been thinking it was a low battery issue...but now I think the source of the problem is the glow plug system.

I have been charging batteries for two days now as well as I brought one battery in overnight to thaw out and recharge. According to the guage on the battery charger the batteries are taking a charge.

I just finished installing the thawed out and fully recharged battery but did not get the car started... Since last using the car my glow plug light stays on for a long time compared to normal. I get the car turning over...but not as fast as it should with a fully recharged battery and only after one glow cycle.
On this final try I took off my mit and bravely touched the end of the front two glow plugs on the nut that attaches the wiring to the glow plug....and not a bit of heat could be felt.

Is there something that could be creating a major short and not allowing this fully recharged battery to turn the engine over fast enough to start?

I was under the impression that the glow light on the dash would not come on if there was a glow plug problem? I have that glow light on the dash coming on albeit for a longer period than I am used to?

I kinda thought that the glow plugs would stay on for longer if it was cold out...but if they are on a timer than maybe that is the problem....where is the timer?

I feel silly thinking that somehow the glow plugs know the temperature of the engine block if it is cold out....I guess it would need some sort of temperature sensor feedback system. Glad to know of this timer. Thanks.