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  #1  
Old 12-03-2002, 05:16 PM
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Glow plug issues...

Glow plug issues on my "new" 84-300D. This morning in DC it was @ 25degrees. When I turned the key to the "start" position the glow light did not come on. I waited @10seconds and tried to crank-no start. I did this three times cranking for @ 10 seconds each time. The engine would start to catch but not keep running. On the fourth and fifth attempt the glow light came on! I waiting until it went off (about 8seconds) and then tried to start. Finally on the sixth attempt the car started. I am obviously concerned about the life of the starter and battery and this cannot continue. My experience is with other non-MB diesels and glow systems. I will start by pulling the plugs and checking them, and also making sure power is getting to the plugs. Anything else I need to look out for? Any help appreciated. Thanks, RT

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  #2  
Old 12-03-2002, 07:24 PM
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Mine did the exact same thing last winter... Diagnosis: 2 or 3 (can't remember which, but either way it's bad with my having 4 cylinders!) dead glow plugs.

Check the GPs like you said you are going to and obviously you know what to do if they're bad.
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  #3  
Old 12-03-2002, 07:48 PM
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Take a watch with you the next time and let the glow plugs stay on for 45 seconds.... it seems like forever, thus the need to use a watch...
My car was having trouble at 50 degrees ( yes... very funny ) until I learned that they continue to heat for about a minute...
Try it and let us know...
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  #4  
Old 12-03-2002, 09:21 PM
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You don't need to pull the glowplugs to check them. Actually looking at them isn't going to tell you anything. All you need is a basic volt/ohm meter. Pull the cover off of the GP relay, black box on driver's side fenderwell. Pull the connector off that goes to the 5 glowplugs. Checking for ohms, put the neg. lead on a good ground and touch each plug's "socket" in the connector. You should read no more than .5 or so ohms. Anything higher indcates a plug on it's way out. A infinite reading would be a dead plug. This check takes less than 5, minutes. I would pay to see anyone be able to pull all 5 glowplugs out in that time.
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  #5  
Old 12-03-2002, 09:38 PM
rebootit
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On my 83 when the light failed to come on the #1 plug was bad. Replaced it and light worked fine and the car started. HOWEVER I had a couple of other bad plugs or soon to go ones as well. Found out the hard way when I was 15+ miles from the nearest major road and a good 35 miles out of cell range and the car decided not to start one morning when it was 25f. Had to open the hood, push the car into the sunshine, (no joke here) and wait a few hours for it to warm up enough to fire on 2 or 3 plugs. Just replaced them all and no problems this year when I have been in 28f weather.
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  #6  
Old 12-03-2002, 10:07 PM
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So you are telling me the light sometimes won't function if the plugs are bad? I usually pull glowplugs and bench test them as I have seen them ohm out okay and then not work..... But I will start with the ohmmeter 'cause its so easy!! Thanks for the tip! They glow really red when good so it is very obvious. Also, the plugs continue to glow even after the dash light has gone out? Weird, but definitely cool. Thanks all, RT
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Old 12-04-2002, 07:58 AM
rebootit
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some posts here say the light will blink if you have a bad plug or two. I never had this happen just had it not work at all when the #1 plug went out. Also on my car I don't think the temp control sensor works for the plugs. The light will come on for about 8 seconds no matter how hot the engine is.
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  #8  
Old 12-04-2002, 01:31 PM
Old Deis
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Whether the glow plug light works of not seems to vary with these cars. On my 81300SD there was no change in the glow plug lights operation. Would not fire when temp dropped to 28f one fine morning.
I tried the ohm test and got some false results. Found three of the five would not heat when I put 12 volts to them out of the block. Only one showed open with the ohm test.
I say just replace them all. Better than getting stuck out there.
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  #9  
Old 12-04-2002, 05:59 PM
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Replaced the two rear-most plugs, 4&5?? today and she started really well. I plan on load-testing the others but time was an issue today. Thanks for the responses, this board is great! RT

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