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General Information => Troubleshooting => Topic started by: subsonic on April 20, 2008, 07:21:03 am

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: subsonic on April 20, 2008, 07:21:03 am

I am getting my old 1.6na running again.  Replaced all 4 glow plugs with new ones.  Tested each prior to installation.  All glowed cherry red.  Wire brushed the copper bus bar where it connects to the glow plugs.  Nice and shiney, good contact.  Wire brushed the power wire that connects to the glowplugs.  All are well connected.  I have the injectors out because I am rebuilding them.  I powered on the glow plugs to see if they would glow.  Glow plug light came on in the dash, ran around and looked in the injector holes at the glow plug tips, nothing :?
If it makes a difference, the alt is currently out of the car.  
I need to get this running today.  help.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: the caveman on April 20, 2008, 08:23:45 am

Do you have 12 v to the buss bar? check that first ,if yes then make sure you have good ground. Did you disconnect it when you took out the alternator? use a booster cable to double check. If that's all okay maybe you don't have enough current going to the buss bar. Jump  a wire directly from the battery + to the buss bar to see if they light. If so then you have a problem with the voltage supply to the buss bar. did you check the fuse on your firewall? check for voltage at both sides of it. Glow plug relay maybe.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: subsonic on April 20, 2008, 08:57:11 am

Just checked the fusable link, it's almost in 2 pieces.  I have called 3 parts stores and no one knows what the hell I am talking about :evil: .  Can I cut up a pice of tin can to use?  Anyone have the part number for this?

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: jimfoo on April 20, 2008, 09:33:48 am

Maybe you can replace it with one of those mega fuses instead.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: subsonic on April 20, 2008, 10:15:08 am

Just drove 20 miles to get a .89 cent fuse.  Last one they had.  Replaced and put the juice to it, cherry red on all 4.  Note to self.  If you have a lift pump hard wired to solinoid on pump, and no injectors in, do not provide power or you will shoot diesel all over engine compartment. :x

I am now going to go torque my rebuild injectors together at 51lbs, and reinstall.  I am sure the pop pressures will be all over the place.  I kept the individual injector parts all together, hand lapped etc.  I hope they will be close.  I will have to have them popped tomorrow.
If my timing set ever gets here I will be able to check and reset the timing, which I am sure is off.
Need to check the shims on the valves as well.  Way past due.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: subsonic on April 21, 2008, 12:06:59 pm

It lives!

Runs way better than before.  Guess bad glow plugs and two bad injectors will do that.  Two injectors are a bit leaky between halves, gonna have to fix that.  Going to need to get some more injector heat shields.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: Op-Ivy on April 21, 2008, 12:33:48 pm

Check out Vince's glowplug upgrade! It's on my list of upgrades this summer! :)

http://vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=12413

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: subsonic on April 21, 2008, 02:55:54 pm

When the Franken goes in I will do this.

Title: Glow plug problems
Post by: jimfoo on April 21, 2008, 05:03:09 pm

Quote from: "subsonic"

It lives!

Runs way better than before.  Guess bad glow plugs and two bad injectors will do that.  Two injectors are a bit leaky between halves, gonna have to fix that.  Going to need to get some more injector heat shields.

Congrats!!