Point.

I am not certain if the timer functions once the violet wire gets power. We'd need to verify that.

The violet wire might interrupt the timer..........might not.

I could check it if you're interested..............

Or, we could just interrupt the run input and ignore the violet wire.

It does not. The cycle will not "time out" while the starter is engaged.

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

This would be ideal.

With a functioning relay, the relay can be engaged indefinitely via the use of the violet wire. Energizing the wire would keep the relay closed until the driver opens the switch.

Two years past sweetie's toad smoked two glow plugs. At the time, the "upgrade kit" was really cheap (four plugs, super-duper relay), so I got that. Sold the old/working relay ("Hey, don't need a spare, with this bichen new unit!") for $15.

Last fall new unit led to much bichen from ME. Alternator weak (low voltage), change regulator. Alternator weak (low voltage), change alternator. Battery weak, change battery. New regulator/alternator/battery weak, WTF??? Further, in-depth troubleshooting leads to discovery that new GP relay is sometimes never releasing (timer or similar gone bad). POS.

Relays are now $200. Gah!!!

I cut the wire feeding juice from the key to the relay (I think it's red one, but check first), and added a $2 momentary push-button to the dash. Turn on key, press button for 5-10 seconds per ambient (dash glow light as for normal operation), release and start normally. You need about 10 feet (3 m) of small wire, and a switch. No relays, fuses, or other bananas.

I guess if you want afterglow, you could just keep pushing the button for a few seconds at a time (so timer always thinks "key just on, must add glow!!!").

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

I don't know what else can extend the glow plugs on for so long except for the relay, and I'm clueless as of how to troubleshoot a bad relay...

I appreciate the aircraft analogy Right now the relay is just overtiming the plugs, so I want to cut the time down. Kinda when the vacuum is bad and the engine won't shut off, they put that shut-off lever on the engine.

That's my thought exactly, only that I didn't know which wire to switch.

I want to put a switch on the wire that supplies the current to the relay to be able to cut it off from inside the car but I wanted to leave the relay on as it's overtiming now; the only change would be a switch added inside the car replacing the radio's fade switch and the wire cutting the relay's power wire, but I haven't checked if it's purple or what color.

I do appreciate everyone's input. This website is what have kept my old Benz running so far!

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[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

Exactly what I had in mind; glad to see that it works!

__________________
[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

In the larger scheme of things, the problem is, of course, "the relay." More precisely, the problem could be with the solid state device, its input, or it could be a mechanical issue with the actual "relay." If the relay itself is sticking, for example, no amount of rewiring is going to solve that problem.

Should be a red/black wire. Connects to terminal 15 on the timer box.

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

I would submit that the order should be "press button..., start normally, then release." That would duplicate the sequence of the original equipment, in any case.

__________________
When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

.........that's going to require some two handed gymnastics.........

Hey Cirrusman, did you get this sorted out? IF you send your relay to me, I can mod it to be manually controlled with a push button switch. I also have a good working glow plug relay from a 300D turbo which I think is the same as in your car.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I'm actually in the works, thanks Funola; after some thought I decided that a push button is going to be a bit uncomfortable as I want it on the right hand and that kind of sucks as you're starting the car so I got a rocker switch with a bright light so as to not forget that it's on; what kind of mod would you do though...? I'm intrigued

__________________
[/SIGPIC]~cirrusman

1983 Mercedes Benz 300SD - Wife calls him "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
[SIGPIC]




1983 Toyota Tercel (Tommy, The little Toyota that could)
1965 Ford F100 (Grandma Ford)
2005 Toyota Sienna (Elsa, Wife's ride)


Gone:
1988 Toyota Pickup
2004 Subaru Outback

1987 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham
1986 Volvo 740 GL Station Wagon - Piece of junk.
1981 Volvo 242 DL 2 Door - Hated to see it go. R.I.P.
1987 Pontiac Fiero GT

A rocker switch with a light is better so you don't have to have one hand occupied but more dangerous as far as forgetting to shut it off. I'd suggest a buzzer in lieu of the light.

Are you keeping your failed glow plug relay or adding a Ford starter solenoid? If keeping your failed relay it will work if the failure is permanent (glow plug always on, and not an intermittent failure).

My mod will be to the failed OEM relay and hard wiring a switch to the coil of the relay, bypassing the timer control circuitry.

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked