glow plug relay

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Hi, I have a 1996 tdx fourtrak and every now and then it will not start, all the electrics are fine but there is nothing else, I have been told it may be a glow plug relay prob, could any one tell me where the glow plug relay is and what it looks like. thankyou.

They are usually mounted

They are usually mounted inside engine bay, on drivers side wing (if UK car).

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

I have a '94 2.8 TDX. It has

I have a '94 2.8 TDX. It has exactly the same problem as you described. It has had a new starter motor, but still the issue is there? Any luck as yet? I would really appreciate some help!

not starting sometimes

Hi, Problem solved!! Some one stripped down the starter motor for me and there are points in there that had not been meeting properly, there were the tell tell signs of black marks and scorching, the points were cleaned and the distance correctly set. Also the solenoid had been greased and it shouldnt have been so that was cleaned up too. Apparantly alot of garages don't know that the starter motor has these points in them!!

Thanks, I will ask my father

Thanks, I will ask my father in law to have a look there, are there any other ideas as to why it does this? it is very annoying, this morning it started first time then after school drop off would not start for 20 mins, just called brit rescue then it decided to start! also there is often a delay between my turning the key in the ignition and it starting, sometimes just a split second and others a few seconds.

Sounds more likely to be a

Sounds more likely to be a bad conection, either on the key barrel, or the starter it-self. Bad glow plugs would not stop it starting when you had just been running it, as the engine will be warm enough to restart up to a few hours after stopping (depending on ambient air tempriture).
Does it turn over, but not fire? Could be something to do with the electronic shut of on the diesel lift pump.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

Any veiws expresed in this thread by me are purely from my own experience, and (sometimes) falible memory. Hope my comments help, but please don't take them as gospel.

glow plug relay

Hi thanks for your reply, I had a new starter motor fitted in January this year. When i turn the key in the ignition there is nothing, just the electrics come on for a few seconds and then go off as if I had turned the engine off again. Do you think it could be the barrell? It does it whether the engine is hot or cold, so does this rule out the glow plug relay?

i think you can rule out the

i think you can rule out the glow plug relay.. it only effecte a cold start.. engine will turn over on the starter but just not fire up.

your problem is either a faulty ignition switch which i think unlikely... it sounds more like the battery voltage dropping right off due to the starter load.. is there a voltmeter top centre of the dashboard? if there is it shouldnt drop to nothing when trying to start. any tyre centre or battery shop will test the battery under load. if thats ok look at the battery and starter connections , the big thick leads, take them off and clean the connecting surfaces. other than that its likely to be an internal starter motor fault

Relays

Could be one of several things, so here goes:

Check the electrical connections at the relay, these corrode over time and increase the resistance causing the relay to fail.

The system has a feedback circuit, this regulates the time the glow plugs operate, this also works on resistance, and faulty connections show the engine is hot, when it is actually cold. You will notice the light comes on longer when the vehicle is cold, and a shorter time when it is hot. This sensor wire contact points need to be clean and free from corrosion to ensure perfect connections.
The feedback circuit can be operated in one of two ways, a connection to the bus bar rail across the glow plugs, or a seperate temperature sensor located in the cylinder head. If it is the much rarer sensor in head type, it could be the sensor faulty and sending back the wrong resistance.

Check the connections of the relay body to the vehicles body, it earths this way, and any corrosion at its mounting bolts or screws would create an earth problem, simply remove and clean away the rust.

Check the connections from the ignition switch to the relay, this is what powers it, on the rear of the switch is the plastic body which houses all the contacts. This is either screwed on with a very small screw, or two, or could be a shaped snap on type, simply undo and check the power out while carefully operating with a screwdriver in the various positions. These contacts generate numerous problems over time, mainly due to wear and tear, so spray liberally with a contact or electrical cleaner, if it is a contact problem it will more than likely clear it.

Check the wiring from the ignition switch to the relay, any of the connections could have become corroded, this will increase resistance and cause the unit to not operate.

I've not experienced this on

I've not experienced this on a Daihatsu, but have on other vehicles, and what appeared a very elusive problem turned out to be worn/dirty contacts in the ignition switch barrel. A dose of aerosol switch cleaner proved effective.

David T