Glow-plug relay is new but nothing is getting to the glow plugs????

[CaddyWVO]

Hey people I need some help.

1.9 IDI with a turbo installed in an 81' caddy. Been driving it for a year with minimal problems until about 3 mos ago when water got into the electrical  fuse block and also into the glow-plug relay.

 

My caddy was working just fine. Recent updates include a new ignition switch, glow-plug relay, glow-plug's, fuses. If any of you recall I posted a couple of months back regarding water leakage and the relay. I found the water leak (heater intake) and blew out all of the water, replaced parts above and everything was working excellent. Then out of the blue this past Friday I go out to start it up and nothing. The relay light came on, went off, I turned the ignition over and the engine starter engages, but no fire. The fuseable link on the firewall is intact and the wires look clean and feel secure. You can smell the fuel that is cycling through the cylinders but the engine is not starting. This happened once before and I replaced the relay but this time a new relay did not resolve the issue. I did not notice any blown fuses but maybe this is something that has been seen before. If I can't find a solution here I will have to fork over the bucks and have it towed to a local shop and spend money I just don't have on hand.

I am at my wits end and could really use some suggestions. If you have any questions about anything I have posted or not included, by all means, please respond and ask.

Thanks for any and all help!

Charlie

[macka]

Charley,

  are you getting voltage at the glowplugs? Have you seen any bubbles in the fuel lines when you turn the engine over?

[Vincent Waldon]

In a situation like this a cheap test light or multimeter... even a 5 buck one from Harbour Freight... is worth its weight in gold.

Using a test light or multimeter you can quickly find out if you're getting power to the glow plugs when the key is first turned to "on".  If you are, you can eliminate them as the likely problem (since you're replaced them recently) and move on to checking for power at the fuel shutoff solenoid on the injection pump.

If you aren't getting power at the glowplugs check for power on both sides of the fuse bolted to the firewall.  This particular fuse loves to develop hairline cracks that are not visible to the eye.  You can also remove the fuse and see if it falls apart in your hand.  

If you aren't getting power at either side of the fuse then your problem is probably the relay plate (since you're replaced the relay)... you can use the multimeter to check the pinout of the relay for proper signals:

[CaddyWVO]

If you aren't getting power at the glowplugs check for power on both sides of the fuse bolted to the firewall.  This particular fuse loves to develop hairline cracks that are not visible to the eye.  You can also remove the fuse and see if it falls apart in your hand.  

Hey Vince, This was the trick. Although it wasn't cracked, it was a bit corroded on one side. I removed the fuse, gingerly cleaned it with some 440 sandpaper and replaced it between the terminals. The engine cranked right over and is NOW running!!!! Whooooaaaaa!!!

Those other suggestion were also good and I did check for air in the fuel, power to the fuel cut-off on the FIP, I did not get to the rest of the suggestions, just the easy ones and that was what I needed.

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you !

God bless and keep up the good work!

Sincerely, Charlie Stahl

[macka]

awesome glad to hear you are up and running again.