glows - fast, slow, which way to go?

[Jettage1]

Car is a 92 Jetta Ecodiesel.  Three questions:

1.  Glow plug relay is p/n 171-911-261E, which I think is the fast one (please confirm, someone)

2.  Current plugs are Bosch Duraterms, p/n 80010 and 250-201-032-35T  (Are these fast or slow?)

3.  Finally, I've read that VW originally fitted the quick glows to NA cars, and the slow glows to early cars and TD cars (to reduce smoking on startup).  I've installed a full TD injection pump now and am wondering if I should be converting to a slow glow setup.  Any thoughts??

Thanks in advance!

[mystery3]

Where do you get the slow plugs? Autohausaz.com has the fast plugs with relay for $95. I was going to pick up the kit and switch over to the fast plugs because I think one of mine is faulty.

[burn_your_money]

If it's the original GP relay for that car it is fast.

Duraterms are reverse compatible (pretty sure) so they can go either way.

Keep it fast, slow is slow and lets be honest, you put a turbo on to go fast

[Quantum TD]

If it's the original GP relay for that car it is fast.

If your GP relay has the #60 on it, it's not fast. It's mid-range. When stone-cold, it will glow for about 15-17 sec.

A fast GP relay will glow for 7-10 sec when stone cold

I put fast plugs on a 1991 ECODiesel I sold about 2 years ago without replacing the relay. About 1/2 year ago, the buyer called me and said it wouldn't start. Turns out all 4 plugs were burned out (prematurely). Generally, I get about 2-2.5 years out of a set of plugs. The ones in this car only lasted 1.5 years.

AFAIK, only fast plugs are available (as Beru or Bosch). Some aftermarket suppliers like Autolight may make slow glows, but I don't know.

[burn_your_money]

That's the first I've heard of mid-range. Do you have any more info on them?

[Jettage1]

It does have #60 on it and does go about 15 sec, I'd guess.  The car has not started very well since changing the plugs (among many other things) about 9 months ago.  Runs rough cold even in mild temps.  Perhaps I should look for the fast relay.

'Course in looking carefully at the GPs I discovered a bit of coolant just below the headgasket on the front of the block, so I think I have some more fun coming my way. 

[Quantum TD]

That's the first I've heard of mid-range. Do you have any more info on them?

Not really. I just tried several different GP relays until I found the fastest, that still started the car right up when cold out  (about 40 degrees Farenheit).

The slowest (of the ones I have) are the original Hella Rabbit GP Relays in the aluminum case. Glow time is about 18-20 sec when stone cold.
PN = 321 911 261 or PN 321 911 261 C or 321 911 261 A
Kracker # 3.400.100

The mid-range came out of late MK2 cars. It has the #60 on the cap. Some part catalogs claim this is a fast glow plug, but testing show is runs a glow time of about 14-16 sec when stone cold.
PN 171 911 261E

The short glow relays came in late MK1 Rabbits and Early MK2 and Golfs. It has a #3 stamped on the cap. Glow times are about 7-10 sec when stone cold.
PN 171 911 261 B  or
Kracker # 24.4100.10

[Jettage1]

Interestingly, Autohaus AZ lists Kracker # 24.4100.10 as 171 911 261E, and as being the correct part for a 1992 Jetta "TDI" ...  They call it a fast glow at 7 seconds.

BTW, Quantum, I'm not questioning you... - I never know whether to trust what the parts houses list.

[Quantum TD]

Interestingly, Autohaus AZ lists Kracker # 24.4100.10 as 171 911 261E, and as being the correct part for a 1992 Jetta "TDI" ...  They call it a fast glow at 7 seconds.

BTW, Quantum, I'm not questioning you... - I never know whether to trust what the parts houses list.

I noticed that too. If you search for the B or E suffixed PN, then it will come up with the Kracker 24.4100.10. I imagine the Kracker is 7-10 sec too, but I know for a fact that the original ECODiesel relay runs about 15 sec. I suspect that the Kracker supercedes the original ECO relay.

[fryersam]

Hi all, I'm new here and new to VW diesels need help. 81 VW pickup non turbo, the glow light wont go out and the she wont start.
 cranks over fine but no start.  new glow plugs and relay(171 911 261 E) & glow plug fuse link. any help would be appreciated.
 had it for 6 months with no starting problems.
thanks
Sam