Recently we moved into the mountain area just outside Yosemite. In the past week or two, the temperature slowly worked its way into the mid 20's. Anything lower than about 45, made it near impossible to start our 83 300SD, which in 50 degree plus weather started immediately. In researching the glow plug system, I found out that the relay has a sensor that determines the air temperature and controls the time that the glow plugs have juice sent to them. In the past I would go through 2 or 3 complete cycles to try and fire it up. In checking my plugs I found some out of specs and some dead.

I changed them with Bosch units and now no matter what the temperature is, (been as low as 24) as soon as the light on the dash goes out, I turn the ignition key and within 2 seconds it is purring. I didn’t ream or do anything special….just replaced the 5 glow plugs.

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

exactly what I did. Many people here always troubleshoot all the different components that deal with glow plugs but the first thing that I would do is to check the glow plugs. Heck, I would not even check them, new ones are around 10 bucks so screw messing around with anything. Just buy new ones and you are set for a while.

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Audi TT

It's worth replacing all five or six. It doesn't cost much and then you know where you stand. I just did all five of mine. Starts A WHOLE LOT better in the cold weather!

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1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

BigRed,

The GP relay does time the GP, but not as you said.

The GP are timed to stay on about 45 seconds all the time on a 300SD unless interrrupted by turning the key switch to the start position. The timing of the GP dash light is proportional to the temperature, but when it goes out, the GP are still energized ~45 seconds .

So its best just to wait longer before trying to start the engine than to start the GP cycle again and again.

If engine doesn't start, its also better to crank for short periods of time and then start the GP/start cycle again since the GP are turned off and start to cool as soon as the starter is energized .

P E H

To Quote the shop manual....Section 15-705 "Operation of Preglow System" Will support what I said.

"The duration of preglowing depends on tempurature of engine and on ambient tempurature."

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

I believe that the shop manual is referring to the duration of the preglow light. At warmer ambients and warmer engine temperatures the preglow light will remain on for a shorter duration. When the light goes out, M/B believes that it is time for you to start the engine.

However, M/B has never tried to start an engine with 150K on the clock at zero degrees ambient.

So, the advice given by PEH is correct. The glow plugs will stay on for about 45 seconds based upon a timer. You may take advantage of this extended glow time, after the light goes out, if you wish to have easier starting in very cold ambients.

Not trying to be correct...again just passing on what I read and what is working for me. I can say that our wagon relay runs longer than our SD. I recall something about a "newer" relay that supplied juice longer.

It is quite possible that through translation and word meaning, what implies a preglow time period, could in fact be the dash light timing. In my case, no matter it fires right up in the mid 20's which I would be the first to say isn't very very cold.

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

BigRed,

Perhaps you are refering to the newer MB that keep the glow plugs energized after the engine starts for smoother running and lower emissions. The sacrifice seems to be GP that last only about 50,000 miles.

P E H

Just to add what I have noticed as differences between my two . . . the '87 300TD's dash light remains on much longer than the one on the '84 300D Turbo. Though I pay attention to the lights on both, I still spend time listening and watching for signs of the relays opening. I have never sensed, at least on the '87, that the relay's time closed varies at all. It seems to take about the 40-45 seconds before "click".

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Steve
'87 300TD - 132K - Soon 4-Sale
'84 300D Turbo - 122K - Driving
'77 VW Type II - 77K - Restored
'08 250EX Ninja
English Bulldog (Brier) - My best friend. Passed away 12/02/04 while in my arms.