2.00HDi Glow plugs

[PeteH]

Hi, I have had starting probs over the last few days and wondered if the cold weather was to blame. I have had the Berlingo Multispace Desire just over 3 months and it has never let me down but suddenly I have starting problems.

Looking back I have never seen a warning light for the glow plugs but have always waited 15 or so seconds for them to warm up before turning the key and it has always started without any effort.

Sorry for the pre-amble but my question are, 'Should I have a warning light on the dash for the glow plugs that goes out when they are hot?' If so what do you think is the reason I do not see it other than a bulb failure in the dash, could it be the glow plug relay - where is it located?, Is there a glow plug fuse, I can't see it it my users manual.

Thanks in anticipation, any info or advice is warmly accepted.

[pete_wood_uk]

I can only answer part of the question (and not the useful part, I'm afraid). Yes, there should be a warning light (there certainly is on my Xantia 2.0HDi), but it should only come on for a second or so, tops. The direct injection engine, at least at UK temperatures, doesn't need a lot of pre-heat, so your habit (presumably you had an indirect injection engine previously?) of waiting 15 seconds is not necessary. In fact, I suppose it's possible that that's causing the problem, by allowing the head to cool down again after the (very short) pre-heat cycle. Or maybe not.

Cheers
Pete

[citronut]

if the glow plugs were the on there way out, normaly they die one at a time, if one is dead the engine would start easily but a little lumppy and a puff of smoke, if two were dead it would start with a bit more cranking over and a bit more pumppy/more smoke, three dead probably would not start,

do you know if it has had new glow plugs in its life and how long ago,

what year is the car/van

im not sure if they did away with the G/P indication lamp on latter vehicles,

as i belive the likes of later F**RD dont have a lamp to indicate the G/Ps are heatting up, you just turn the key a they start straight away

regards malcolm

[marsalek]

Hi Pete,
the HDis above -15 degrees Celsius do not really need the glowplugs for the engine to start. Many HDis are driving around with only one or two good glowplugs and do not notice it. The warning light comes on just for a short time at temperatures around zero and below. Waiting after turning the ignition key does not bother, since the glowplugs are on for about three minutes, to eliminate the unburnt exhaust gas components.

For the difficulties when cranking the engine might be those two things responsible:
1. more probable: the diesel pump in the tank. On high mileage cars they just don't supply enough pressure or stop working at all and the engine won't start.

2. less probable: the pressure sensor mounted directly on the common rail pump might got stuck due to some dirt in diesel and if it reads less than ca. 300 bar, the engine won't start either.

Karel

[PeteH]

Thanks for the replies,
Its a 2003 MPV. Done 53,000 miles.
I have found the glow plug relay down by the offside front light assembly but I am going to have to dismantle the air cleaner and pipework to get at it, hope it may just be corroded connection as it is in a very exposed position, will let you know.