Forum:
I have a problem on my F78 Trak whereby the battery (new) seems to getting drained over night and will loose enough charge to not start at all if not used for a couple of days.
Someone has suggested that glow plugs and their relays are prime suspects for this on simple 4x4s.
There could be something in this as the relays on my Trak do go a bit mental after ignition, doing 3 or 4 'clicks' after the engine has fired. Also sometimes, when I turn the key (once glow plug light has gone out) nothing happens for a second then everything kicks in and engine starts.
Anyone got any thoughts/other ideas/tests/solutions for this?
Ta
right
firstly nothing wrong with your glow plug system, thats how it works, secondly i think you are having an earth issue with your starter by the sounds of it.
Full of ideas but no time to do them!!
www.bloodredoffroad.com
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Discharge....
I agree with BloodRed - the glow plug operation you have described is correct - the glow plug relay clicks on/off whilst engine is warming up to reduce the emissions.
The 'delayed starting' issue you mentioned maybe due starter motor and/or the ignition key - I've had problems with both.
You need to measure the current drain when everything is switched off (insert ammeter between battery terminal post and wire - DO NOT PUT AMMETER ACROSS BATTERY!). It maybe that your new battery has a fault (an internal short) but other items that may cause battery drain are: alarm systems, car radios and glovebox/interior lights staying on, unbeknown to you.
1985 Veg oil burning Fourtrak "Rocky".