Glowplug light not lit - wont start

ronhud · Post by **ronhud** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:04 pm

Just started my Freda - forgot to wait for glowplug light - she started then stopped straight away. Now glowplug light doesnt come on - starter motor turns over ok but wont fire. I tentatively put 6 litres of rapeseed in 2 days ago (10%) - she ran fine yesterday - hope it isnt that!

Thought I might need to leave it for a while - waited 15 mins but still no glowplug light. Any ideas?

Ron

Post by **Ian** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 1:56 pm

I reckon you've blown your glowplug relay. On cold mornings, and if using veg oil, the plugs need to work harder to ignite in the engine chamber.

ronhud · Post by **ronhud** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:13 pm

Thanks for quick reply. I rang the garage I bought from and they suggested energising the glowplug bar directly from the battery +. I did this and still no firing whatsoever so suspicion has now turned to fuel not getting through. I'm waiting for a call back with next suggestion or mechanic visit.

grumpo · Post by **grumpo** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:56 pm

When you switch the ignition on 2 important things happen.

1: The glowplug warning light comes on, even if the relay has popped.

2: The fuel cutoff valve lifts.

If neither of these (or more) happens, I would be lookin for a fuse or
wire which controls these events.

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:56 pm

Ian wrote:I reckon you've blown your glowplug relay. On cold mornings, and if using veg oil, the plugs need to work harder to ignite in the engine chamber.

Hmmm, plugs only heat up the air so won't work any harder IMO

ronhud · Post by **ronhud** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:06 pm

Thankfully resolved. It was the mini blade fuse under the dash! Oh dear why didn't I go there first? No 9 Engine as revealed on the helpful fact sheet photo. There's a lot to learn and a lot of folks helping here - best £10 I've spent since £10 was a weeks wages!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 4:54 pm

Excellent news ronhud - the diagnostic skills of BF members never cease to amaze me - and so QUICK. I'd never have guessed a fuse - only hope I remember when my turn comes for this fault.

Any idea what might have cuased the fuse to 'pop' as I've not heard of it happening before

Post by **Bob** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 11:34 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:Excellent news ronhud - the diagnostic skills of BF members never cease to amaze me - and so QUICK. I'd never have guessed a fuse - only hope I remember when my turn comes for this fault.

Any idea what might have cuased the fuse to 'pop' as I've not heard of it happening before

Probaly turning engine over before the plug light had gone out. We used to have a Bedford CF in work which was very prone to this. If you turned the engine over before the light had gone out, even with a hot engine it always gave problems.

ronhud · Post by **ronhud** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:42 pm

I think Bob has the reason. It's not blown since. One thing I've learned - keep a pair of narrow nosed pliers in my toolbox because my fingers cant remove the mini blade fuses.