Quote:
Originally Posted by Blevinsax
I'm still wondering if using the extended glow period may have had some impact on this. I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but haven't seen anyone comment on it yet. (I ask because my wife keeps telling me, "It's because of the way you've been starting it! You probably broke it!")
Naturally, that type of 'input' doesn't really help much - just seems like salt in a wound at this point! 
I'm thinking the serpentine thing is the spring - when I looked at it again, it is definitely VERY loose, moves up and down easily, and I can turn it very easily - so there is virtually ZERO tension on it whatsoever. |
I don't think your method of starting the car is causing any problem, I start mine the same way waiting for the seat belt buzzer to stop. It only extends the glow period 5 seconds beyond when the light goes out. Besides, our cars are equiped with a factory after glow feature that allows the plugs to continue to glow after the engine is running for a period of time based on temperature. So no worries there!
I did look at my system tonight and confirmed the relay is the same as yours, no fuse strip which makes it a circuit breaker type relay. So just like in your house, when something causes the breaker to trip, it can be reset/recycled but you need to find the cause in the circuit. As others have suggested, it is likely one or two bad glow plugs or the wiring to them, but doubtful on the wiring unless your grease system is tapped in some how to the circuit (hope not!). Remember, the glow plug light on the dash could still light with one bad plug but will probably not light if a second plug additionally goes bad.
I also just changed the serpentine belt on my car last weekend and the job is pretty easy. You need to have your guy confirm the routing of the belt and ensure all pulleys are spinning with the belt. It would be difficult to route the belt wrong because there just isn't alot of choices. You should have very little lateral movement with the spring when installed. If you can move the spring back and forth its probably broken inside the sheathing. Have him loosen and back off the top bolt to remove the spring and confirm for sure, 5 minute job.