I am wrapping up my gas to diesel conversion on my 81 rabbit pickup and I just finished conneting the glow plug relay. The only connection I haven't connected is the temp sensor input. After hooking it all up (sans temp sensor) I tested the relay and when the ignition is switched on the relay stays on for like 45 seconds. I thought the relay is only supposed to run for 7 seconds or so! I have a MK1 diesel bentley manual, and the testing sequence for the relay involves disconnecting the temp sensor. Would the temp sensor's absence make the relay run for 8 times longer than usual! Help!
sounds like you have the slow glow relay... you need to purchase the faster relay. but i think you might even need different glow plugs if you ordered ones for a 1981 diesel.
I ordered the fast glow relay! I guess the could have mis-picked the part. What if the glow plugs in the 1.6 are slow glow and the relay is a fast glow? Would that explain it?
that could... but i thought that using a fast glow on slow glow plugs would burn them out quicker... could be wrong though!
Finish the job !! No temperature sensor means the relay thinks it's very cold and will leave the plugs on a long long time.
The "fast" part of "fast plugs" just means that the car is ready to start "faster"... the plugs still stay on longer when it's colder... and without a temp sensor your relay thinks it's very cold.
i agree, either finish out the install with the temp sensor or just put the glow plugs on a manual switch (in-line fused) until its all hooked up right.