I assume it's just a case of connecting up a meter to the top of the plug and turning the ignition on to make sure 12v is there until the relay switches off.

Basically the car won't start easily on a morning despite servicing and replacing the glo plugs.

Does anyone know what relay is best to use if it's switching off too early?

Cheers
Dave

 

disconect them all then use jump leads only using + connected to a big screw driver touch onto the terminal of each one and if it sparks it works!!
not the best way but simple and works, you could use an amp meter but would need to be fairly high, prob peak at the start around 25amps droping to around 12ish

 

I would put them in a vice and connect a live wire from a car battery to the top of glow plug. Then put a earth from the battery to the threaded part of the plug. If it starts to glow its ok. If not its fooked.

 

what vehicle is it?

 

if the glow plugs have been replaced, just check you have 12v at the rail as you say.
going off past experience though, does it turn over at a decent speed? my old courier van (1.8d) used to struggle to turn over and start in the cold, eventually the starter gave up, fitted another from the scrappy, never had another problem.

 

taking them out runs a risk of them snaping them in the head!

 

as said what car is it? tbh its not that cold yet and modern diesel engines hardly need glow plugs, could be a problem elsewhere?

 

It's an 04 focus 1.8 turbo diesel. It runs spot on once the car's started. I've checked the rail and all 4 glow plugs are getting a good 12v when the ignition is turned on. The glow plugs have a current for about 10 seconds before the relay turns the supply off. I've checked for corrosion etc on the conenctors and evrything's fine. It's just had a new starter motor and turns over as it should.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Cheers
Dave

 

If the glow plugs are all working ok, i would be looking at the fuel draining back over a period of time/ ie leak/ air in filter etc

 

Is there a 1 way valve fitted does anyone know?

 

ALso is 10 seconds about right for the glow plugs?

 

Was it like this before the service?

tbh i would have thought it will start without the glow plugs as it aint really that cold at the moment!

is it common rail or direct injection?

have you tried bleeding the injectors at all?

 

It was the same before the service. It hadn't been done for 60k when I got it, so I figured it was time to replace the lot. It's direct injection I think. I've not tried bleeding the injectors but I'd assume if there was a problem there, it would be apparent when the car is running. Would the injectors need replacing when the car's done 115k?

Cheers
Dave

 

does sound like glow plugs, is that the rotary pump with electronic drive by wire on that model? check them with a meter, if they are open circuit then they are cooked mate.

 

I've always tested them out of the head with a spare battery or booster pack - as mentioned a solid 12v supply and they should glow bright red/orange within 2 or 3 seconds and longer and they are getting lazy.

However, its been suggested already modern oil burners dont really need them yet - IIRC my golf doesn't heat the plugs unless it 5'c or lower...

Is it the 90hp (88?) 1.8 tdi as my friends Connect had this lump and suffered starting issues - in the end the starter was changed for the 3rd time and it was as good as gold until the big ends went @ -120k :S

Tom