316 glow plug problem

[emlclcy]

The glow plug problem started by flattening the battery, the van was parked up for no more than an hour, on return the interior light didn't even come on. Managed to jump start the van and get here home. Once home i switched off the engine then unplugged the positive battery lead followed by a fairly large spark so my assumption was a short circuit glow plug. I had a look under the bonnet last night figuring out what tools i need when i thought i'll just flash the battery lead again, this time next to nothing. Flat battery? no, she started up! After some varying amount of time the glow plug light lights up i guess to indicate a fault, seems Very strange that the relay has managed to reset it self somehow, i thought a short in a glow plug + power for the others would weld the contacts shut. So now until i get the problem sorted when i stop i disconnect the battery, BUMMER !!
Carl

 

[wireman]

I would disconect the supply cable to the relay, running the car with the plugs glowing aint a good idea since they may melt and become impossible to remove.
Furthermore your alternator will have to provide lots of power all the time and this will not do it any good at all.
Above all there is some fire risk and you won't want that when you are driving along either.

 

[emlclcy]

I would disconect the supply cable to the relay, running the car with the plugs glowing aint a good idea since they may melt and become impossible to remove.
Furthermore your alternator will have to provide lots of power all the time and this will not do it any good at all.
Above all there is some fire risk and you won't want that when you are driving along either.

well the trouble is finding the darn relay! Looked behind the battern, not there and the glow plug leads must be under the plastic engine cover because i can't see them either

 

[emlclcy]

glow plug sagga

my ramblings regarding the glow plug problem i've got. I removed the glow plug relay (take the headlight assembly off gives loads of elbow room) and carefully took the cover off and it all looks good, no moisture burnt bits nothing. The relay has a 6 way plug which powers the glow plugs a large screw terminal for a battery feed and a small 3 way plug (only 2 wires) for the control, with all the electronics in the unit the small wires must be ground and bidirectional serial.
Anyhow, found a chap challed mercman (yell him in southampton) who sells merc spares strangely enough and i've a second used part coming soon so fingers crossed!

 

[jordyman]

You need to ensure that the glowplug relay you have bought is the modified part as they were prone to failure just as you have described. The failure can be intermittant and caused a lot of flat battery issues a few years ago.

Also beware that if one of the glowplugs fail it will cause the relay to go open circuit and useless.

If you let me know the part number of the replacement part you are getting I will be able to tell you if it is the latest part.

 

[emlclcy]

You need to ensure that the glowplug relay you have bought is the modified part as they were prone to failure just as you have described. The failure can be intermittant and caused a lot of flat battery issues a few years ago.

Also beware that if one of the glowplugs fail it will cause the relay to go open circuit and useless.

If you let me know the part number of the replacement part you are getting I will be able to tell you if it is the latest part.

That's exactly what has been going on with mine, flat battery, glo light comes on intermittantly. The plugs measure 1ohm each so they seem ok, the code on my 'old' one is 028 545 4032 h/w 09-00 s/w 11-01. The replacement hasn't arrived yet but i belive it has the same 028 545 4032 no.
Are they upgradeable?
cheers
carl

 

[jordyman]

I take it from your part number that you have the 5 cylinder? The modified part number is A 000 545 3616. If you fit the old part you may have the same failure in the near future.

That's exactly what has been going on with mine, flat battery, glo light comes on intermittantly. The plugs measure 1ohm each so they seem ok, the code on my 'old' one is 028 545 4032 h/w 09-00 s/w 11-01. The replacement hasn't arrived yet but i belive it has the same 028 545 4032 no.
Are they upgradeable?
cheers
carl

 

[emlclcy]

I take it from your part number that you have the 5 cylinder? The modified part number is A 000 545 3616. If you fit the old part you may have the same failure in the near future.

yes it's a 316 with 5 cylinders. Just wondering if there is a modification that can be done to the old relay or is it more software related?
I have access to sma rework equipment
Thanks for your help btw as i would have just fitted the 'new' relay and then suspected the ecu when it startted to play up again

carl

 

[jordyman]

Sorry you cannot upgrade the old relay as the hardware has been modified internally on the new one.