This just cropped up with the SDL of mine. I don't get the light at key- on and it will start with much hesitance. The difference though is the glow light comes on just after the rough idle and smoke (~20-30 secs.) go away and remains on for seemingly 3 times the normal timeout expected at any given ambient temp. I have not been able to test the plugs or even open the hood as I go to work in the dark and return 13 hours later. It will just have to wait for the weekend. Also, I thought a bad gp would cause the light to flash or is it a bad relay/ blown strip that will do that? Mine just does the dizzying and taunting light on after the rough starting

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1984 TDT Blue on Blue "Harriet"
314,143 9/29/05- Our first date
351,000 12/29/08- Oh, the places we have gone!

1991 SDL Black on Palomino "Winchester the III"
188,655 8/11/07
218,700 12/29/08

Work vehicles:
MCI-
D4500 125k
D4505 200k
102A-3 1.8Million! and my fav

You have one or more glow plugs out. You can try just replacing the defective one(s) or replace the whole set. I replaced one then two months later a different one failed, then a week later two more failed, so rather than wait for the remaining two to fail, I replaced the four, two blown two still good. They're relatively easy to replace with the manifold in place. You just need a 1/4'' ratchet set with one flexible joint. I followed the directions on Dieselgiant.com. using a piece of tubing to start the new plugs is an invaluable piece of advice. Same site tells you how to check the plugs too.




'91 350SD 534,000
'87 300SDL 236,000
'94 SL 500 45,000

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jcciem
'94 SL5000 60,000
'91 350SDL 545,000
'91 350SD 197,000
'00 E55 AMG 77,000

I also have discovered that there isn't a fuse in the relay box like the 123. Thanks jc. Will post results when complete

__________________
1984 TDT Blue on Blue "Harriet"
314,143 9/29/05- Our first date
351,000 12/29/08- Oh, the places we have gone!

1991 SDL Black on Palomino "Winchester the III"
188,655 8/11/07
218,700 12/29/08

Work vehicles:
MCI-
D4500 125k
D4505 200k
102A-3 1.8Million! and my fav

I've discovered that some of the older glo plugs last longer than new ones, so I've gone to only replacing those that are bad.

I take them out and bench test them. Put them in a vice and put twelve volts to them and watch for 'orange' and 'fast'. If not, they go into the trash (after cooling).

I've had good luck with this approach, not trusting to the glo light on the dash, but to the function of good, winter starting.

dd

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed