glow plugs

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ok,, my glow plugs arent coming on when I turn the key. How do I "hot wire" it? Would like to have a switch on the dashboard to flip before I turn the key. When would I connect it?

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), October 06, 2001

Answers

Maybe your glow plugs fuse or supply wire has a problem, in vehicle wiring it is allways best to stay as close to original as possible. If you do add a hot wire also add an indicator light so that you do not forget to turn it off./ I would take currant at the ignition switch only from a wire that is only hot after the key is turned to "run".

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 06, 2001.

Many ignition switches have a contact that is live while the key is turned to 'run' but is NOT live while the engine is cranking, probably not what you want for the glow plugs.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), October 06, 2001.

Stan, what type vehicle is this? And where does the plugs get their currant from now? A probe type test light may tell you where the problem is located.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 06, 2001.

Whats a glow plug?

-- Alison in N.S. (aproteau@istar.ca), October 06, 2001.

Stan, yOU did not state the type of vehicle this is on,but most glowplugs are powered thru a relay controled by a timer circuit to keep the glowplugs from staying on too long. Before I would wire the glowplugs direct I would test the system to find where the problem is and if it is the control circuit you could just bypass it with a n/o pushbutton switch....................................JAY

-- jay (jay@townsqr.com), October 06, 2001.


Alison, a glow plug is a heating device used in deisel engines to assist the fuel to get hot enought to ignite. Diesel engines use compression/ igniton systems meaning that the fuel and air compressed enough gives off heat high enough to cause the diesel fuel to ignite. The oppsite can be experienced when you use hair spray or aersol deordant and it feels cold while applying. It is heat transfer due to compression or expansion; compress it- it gets hotter; expand it- it gets colded. This is due to molucular reaction to outside stimuli; the glow plugs are electricly heated until the compression gains enough heat for the engine to ignite its own fuel, then they are not needed until you need to restart the diesel engine.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 06, 2001.

Jay, I am trying worm raising via your posts and so far so good, this rock I live on needs super attention if I am ever to raise a crop of rocks. Please let me suggest that some of the people do not know what a n/o or a n/c switch is. Face it, there are poodle groomers, Denny's waitresses, and hair dressers reading these posts who have no concept of what we are talking about. This is not a put down, just a request that we explain as fully as possible anything we say.....

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), October 06, 2001.

Stan, you might wanna try this. I've had a few VW diesels and they all have the relay and its often that which craps out. Being the cheap guy I am I wired in a starter solenoid from a ford and ran the glow plugs thru that, to the lug that normally goes to the starter. The solenoid was then wired to a push button switch in the cab. The reason for the relay is the glow plugs draw 48amps and most toggle or pushbutton switches can't handle that much current. Good luck.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), October 07, 2001.

I just had my delta rebuilt ($6000) and would not start the next morning, towed it back, the next morning it wouldn't start without help from "arostart" DO NOT HEAT GLOW PLUGS WHEN USEING THIS A AN AID TO START A DIESEL" we use a high amp pushbutton to heat the glowplugs now to save on the cost of $400 on the timer, it starts in the morning now but still stumbles and smokes for a bit then runs great! I think one of the glowplugs aren't getting hot enough.

-- Johnny Bristow (toolsmadeeasy@broad.net.au), March 31, 2002.

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