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  #1  
Old 11-15-2007, 10:16 PM
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changed glow plugs-- new problem

Hi all,

My glow plugs needed to be replaced and since the temp is
falling, I thought to have it done today.

Went to Indy, he ordered a Bosch set and after the install,
the car wouldn't start.

He asked me how I start the car ("with fluid ?"). I said just
turn to #2, wait until the GP light goes out and start.

I jumped in and there was no GP light but I waited until I heard
'the click' and started it. I asked about the lack of GP light
since last time I had this done the GP light began working again.

Anyway, I took it home waited until the engine was cold and tried to
start it. Same thing happened again.

At first, no start. Just the sound of the starter and no GP light.
I tried again-- just as in the shop-- and again (on the 2nd time)
it started.

Does anyone have any ideas on this? Could they be the wrong GPs or
something? I think the guy knows what he's doing. He's been working
on MBs for years (and owns 6 W124s himself).

I'm taking it back in the morning but I'd like to have some
ideas before I do.

Thanx.

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  #2  
Old 11-16-2007, 12:46 AM
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I'll take a guess.

The mechanic left one of the wires off the glow plug.........or failed to properly tighten the nut(s).

The other possibility is a bad #1 plug........and possibly others..........but, this is very remote.
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  #3  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:30 AM
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In my opinion...

The first thing is wrong is your mechanic. How can he have you, a customer pay him to do the GP's and not get it done right, the first time. Then play dump...do you use fluid? Give me a break.
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  #4  
Old 11-16-2007, 08:20 AM
Craig
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Carlton View Post
I'll take a guess.

The mechanic left one of the wires off the glow plug.........or failed to properly tighten the nut(s).
... or forgot to plug the connector back into the relay, like I usually do.
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  #5  
Old 11-16-2007, 08:29 AM
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it's also possible that the "mechanic" put in incorrect voltage plugs, or cheapo's and charged you for bosch's...
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  #6  
Old 11-16-2007, 10:44 AM
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o k -- i'm getting it towed now

Thanx everyone the tow truck is here now.

Bigred-- ypu're right on the money! I called the mech
this morning and he was even dumber
'it started alright yesterdy'.

I'll make all the suggestions mentioned.

Will report later and name names!

Thanx again
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  #7  
Old 11-16-2007, 10:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkman View Post
'it started alright yesterdy'.
I always LMAO when I see this on the forum.

"I don't understand what happened..........it was running fine yesterday..........nothing like this has ever happened to me before...........and now it won't start..............what should I do???

...............pray to the M/B gods.........
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  #8  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:15 PM
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Question ...the plot thickens

I forgot to mention. The car wouldn't start at all this a.m.
That's why I had to call AAA to tow it.

The mech was defensive upon my arrival. Instead of attempting
to work to solve the problem, he informed me that yesterday's fee
was to replace the GPs ( which he did ) so now let's see what else
I might need done.

After a couple of hours he said he needed to keep my car
all day to check the entire GP electrical system.

I asked him if there was anyway he could get it started.
He used fluid and I brought it back home.

I checked the GPs
they are Bosch 0 250 201 039 -35T (made in France)
I think that's the right part # although I don't
remember seeing a 35T before.

I asked the relay question suggested above and
he said that he never touched the relay. Just
removed each GP and replaced with new.

I retrieved the old ones from the trash. I was
going to say "just put them back in-- at least the
car was working with them". Two were broken so
I didn't suggest it.

Anyway, his verdict is that there is no juice starting
the pre glow cycle and the car was only starting
by virtue of the warm weather-- and now that the
temperature has dropped, it's not.

I reminded him that the temperatures were the same
the night before I brought the car in and the night
after (mid 30s). And I know that the old GPs were glowing-- the
good ones anyway.

When I turn the key the starter spins. Nothing else happens.
It doesn't sound like it's trying to start but can't kick
over. It never gets that far.

Any ideas???

It's been running in front of the house for the last 15 minutes.
It's warm but I don't want to turn it off yet. (for obvious reasons)
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  #9  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:26 PM
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Do you own or can you borrow a voltmeter?
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  #10  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:32 PM
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easiest to check the glow plugs right at the relay on the fender. After inspecting to ensure the nuts are tight I would see if the glowplugs themselves are tight. There are a couple different glow plugs for different models, and i know some i have seen the the hex for the socket to go over is closer to the tapered seat. If this was the case it would probably bottom out at the hex rather than the seat, and that could cause some problems.
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  #11  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:53 PM
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voltmeter?

yes,
I have one, I've never used it but what should I do?
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  #12  
Old 11-16-2007, 02:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkman View Post
yes,
I have one, I've never used it but what should I do?
Set it so that's it's on suitable scale........15V DC or 25V DC should do it.

Touch the black lead to the + battery terminal and the red lead to the - battery terminal. Confirm that the meter reads approx. 12V.

If it does........continue:

Put the tip of the black lead on the tip of one of the glow plugs (leave the red lead on the - battery terminal).

Have another person turn the key to the #2 position.

Observe the meter...........it should read about 11V..........and should stay at 11V for about 35 seconds..........when it will go to zero and you'll hear a "thunk" from the relay.

Report back with results.
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  #13  
Old 11-16-2007, 04:18 PM
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Pull the injectors..turn on key to glow...look down injector holes...should see all glows red hot.

You may have a few faulty glows.
Engine will not start with no glows even in warm weather.
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  #14  
Old 11-16-2007, 04:29 PM
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found voltmeter

Brian,
I have 2 things:
  • digital multimeter
  • voltmeter for battery/alternator testing
I'm not too sure about how to use the multimeter
(I turned it on to 20DC but got no reading when I
touched the battery poles.)

The battery tester, though, showed proper voltage
when I used it on the battery,

I have to wait for an assistant to
put the car in #2 position for me.

I did, however, turn the car off and restarted it.
I know it restarted simply because it was warm.

There is no glow activity going on. The sound you
want me to listen for doesn't occur.

Normally there is a "click" that I hear shortly after the
GP light goes off. Again, there's no light and no click.

I'll try the test when I get a 2nd person just to make sure.

Will report the results.
Thanks
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  #15  
Old 11-16-2007, 04:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkman View Post

Normally there is a "click" that I hear shortly after the
GP light goes off. Again, there's no light and no click.

I'll try the test when I get a 2nd person just to make sure.

Will report the results.
Thanks
You know what I'm thinking...........I'll bet that he blew the relay fuse somehow.

Pull the cover from the relay..........there is a solid strip of metal that is sitting below two Phillips screws. See if it's damaged in any way. If so, that's your issue. If not, it still may be compromised. Use an auto jumper cable to bridge the two terminals and repeat my aforementioned test.

Report back with results.

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