Glow Plugs on a 3B

[Wilko76]

Hey

Having a few cold days lately and noticed the beast was very hard to start. Somedays after a glow she starts first pop. Others, like today, had to glow at least 6 times and she kicked over.

Checked the voltage on battery and alt is fine. i assume it is glow plugs. How can you tell what plug is weak/faulty? Is there some type of test I can do?

Regards

[Wilko76]

I have done some reading and it seems you can test with a multimeter. If the glo plug has a resistance greater than 1 ohm then more than likely the plug is cactus.

Is this the best way test on the 3B? I don't have a manual so I can't be sure of the glo plg resistance.

any guidance is appreciated.

thx

[Bluey]

my old gregory's manual (for a 3b) says to check continuity with a multimeter, if no good then replace

continuity is low resistance, around <1ohm. if your multimeter has a continuity function, you'll get a beep (constant or on/off depending on meter) when its good


hope this helps

lance

[plowy]

pull them out and get a set of jumper leads on your battery and connect the earth to the body of the glow plug and put the positve the top of the thread

if it glows it works
if it don't its shagged

[ellard]

Hi there

I had a simualr issue - I found the glow plug timmer had had internal heart failure.

As you do most cold mornings, hope in and glow the engine but this particular day it started very sluggish. It wasnt until I stop the vehicle I found the glow plug timer didnt shut down buring every glow plug out within the engine (fairly costly). I priced another timer from toyota - but due to the costs I made my own using a heavy duty relay and a push button swith on the dash. Now I just hold the button down of 10 seconds and it starts like a dream.

Again you situation could be different - but this is what I found on my vehicle.

PS theres nothing worse than you car not being reliable.

All the best

Wayne

[Wilko76]

Thanks wayne. I can hopefully rule out the timer as a reco one was put in when i bought it.

i might try ripping them out one at a time and use the jumper lead trick. Do you need to disconnect the bat terminals before you do so?

[plowy]

no, as it is like connecting the jumper leads when jump starting the car

[Wilko76]

Thanks all

Test glow plugs. All seem to be fine. tested the resistance and also hooked bat leads up to confirm.

The only thing i can think of is that maybe an air bubble was in fuel line.

Has started fine both mornings now. Will keep an eye on it!