Bosch glow plug relay

[oblique]

So i picked up a bosch branded 'fast glow plug kit' from a friend. Installed plugs, cleaned everything and put the 50a fuse back
..PO had the contacts jumped to omit the fuse. The kit came withthe following Bosch relay:




Turning ignition on, everything was normal but after car would start the GP light would come back on after a few seconds. My idle was rough and Alt belt squealed a bit so I assume the plugs were actually on. The light was not flashing but I drained the water separator anyway, no change. But I did get a lot of really nasty water.

Switched back the old relay...its a german made aftermarket unit with 171911261a and 24.4100.10 on it, likely a kracker with the K logo in a triangle.

On the kit it says Rabbit UP TO 1981...is the relay just an older version of the circuit.

[fatmobile]

 Some of the fast glow relays run for a while after starting to reduce smoke, maybe a minute.
 To aid with combustion and help warm the engine up.
It's a nice feature. I think it started being installed in the cars around '90.
 The duraterm glow plugs can handle being on for quite awhile.

[ORCoaster]

I put a meter on one of the plugs and start it and watch for when the relay drops off the voltage.  Most of the time it is 20 to 30 seconds on mine.  I have a newer relay now that my original one finally crapped out on me.  Looks the same as the second picture of the one he is holding. 

I have used both Bosch and Autolite plugs in the past and I find the Bosch to me much better for the work they do. The Autolite ones seem to burn out fast, like one year and done.

[oblique]

My GP light with this relay stayed on indefinitely. Went for a drive to get beer with it and it did not turn off. Swapped back to the Kracker and all seems ok although i did not actually measure draw with the Bosch relay.