P38A Glow plugs

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Gary Day

New Member
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Location
Attleborough Norfolk Uk
My 2.5 BMW engined Range Rover is struggling to start with the cold weather, I have replaced the glow plugs with little change when starting from cold. As I have only had land rovers 88/110 before I am unsure of the length of time the glow system should be activaited when ignition is turned on, currently it is active for around 5 seconds. Has anyone experience this, how long should the glow plug system work and what controls this.
 
I'm pretty sure it changes based on temperature.

Make sure the battery is top notch. Try 2 cycles of the glows. Also, check for air in the plastic pipe from the fuel filter. Might be your leak off pipes are leaking slightly. If you replace the glow plugs get something like Delphi and not Britpart and put decent spill off pipe on while you're under there.
 
Engine temperature determines glow plug timing. On a very cold morning expect 7-9 seconds. 4-5 in summer. Could be a problem with the ECU temp sensor or the glow timer relay if you only get 5 seconds on a very cold morning. Check there is no air in the clear fuel pipe filter to FIP.
 
It's only glow plug light time that changes, glowing time is always the same(it's over 10 seconds if i remember correctly). Fit only BERU glow plugs, others are too slow for it.
There may be a problem with coolant temp sensor for ECU or fuel temp sensor - both alters how much fuel is injected for startup. 5 seconds should be enough to start at temperatures around 0 celsius - at least it is for one of mine DSE with very tired engine - starts half a turn.
Most likely it's static injection timing problem or air in the system.
 
N2O said:
It's only glow plug light time that changes, glowing time is always the same(it's over 10 seconds if i remember correctly). Fit only BERU glow plugs, others are too slow for it.
There may be a problem with coolant temp sensor for ECU or fuel temp sensor - both alters how much fuel is injected for startup. 5 seconds should be enough to start at temperatures around 0 celsius - at least it is for one of mine DSE with very tired engine - starts half a turn.
Most likely it's static injection timing problem or air in the system.
Click to expand...

Nonsense the glow timer varies it's length of application with temperature. Whilst the lamp is on the glows are active, subject to the temp sent to the ECU from the ECU temp sensor. The colder it is the longer they stay on within set limits. When engine is warm they don't come on at all.
 
They don't glow over 40 deg C.
Glow plug timer has only one time setting, ECU gives it only a short ON signal. This is how timers work.
 
N2O said:
They don't glow over 40 deg C.
Glow plug timer has only one time setting, ECU gives it only a short ON signal. This is how timers work.
Click to expand...

Sorry that is not correct. The ECM via the timer varies glow activation subject to temperature. The colder it is the longer they are active subject to set limits.
 
Grrrrrr said:
Make sure the battery is top notch. Try 2 cycles of the glows.
Click to expand...

wammers said:
The colder it is the longer they stay on within set limits. When engine is warm they don't come on at all.
Click to expand...

It is noticeable that the lamp stays on longer when its colder, or, if you like, goes off sooner when its warmer.
As Grrrrrr says, try 2 glow cycles. This will work as a diagnosis as to whether that is the problem or if it is fuel supply.
I fitted NGK plugs, they seem ok. No probs starting here this morn at -1.5.
 
tomcat59alan said:
I also fitted NGK's, I had 2 duff one's and it was very difficult to start when the temp dropped below 0. What plugs did you fit and did you check them before fitting?
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Mine too. 2 duff ones are enough to make starting difficult.
Easy enough to test them before fitting, but mind your fingers!:eek::D
Test them in place by measuring resistance on each one, when disconnected obviously. (If there is open circuit then its fecked...)
 
tomcat59alan said:
I also fitted NGK's, I had 2 duff one's and it was very difficult to start when the temp dropped below 0. What plugs did you fit and did you check them before fitting?
Click to expand...

You need good plugs on at least three consecutively firing cylinders to get anything like a reasonable cold start at any time. If the temp drops a bit you are going to struggle unless they are all working. Mornin Alan.
 
wammers said:
You need good plugs on at least three consecutively firing cylinders to get anything like a reasonable cold start at any time. If the temp drops a bit you are going to struggle unless they are all working. Mornin Alan.
Click to expand...
Morning Tony. Isn't it always the way. First bit of cold weather and it shows up all the faults.
 
plumbfisher said:
Mine too. 2 duff ones are enough to make starting difficult.
Easy enough to test them before fitting, but mind your fingers!:eek::D
Test them in place by measuring resistance on each one, when disconnected obviously. (If there is open circuit then its fecked...)
Click to expand...
And test the new ones using jump lead and a bit of spit on the element.
 
tomcat59alan said:
Morning Tony. Isn't it always the way. First bit of cold weather and it shows up all the faults.
Click to expand...

Yep lots of batteries will suddenly fail that's for sure. Bit like my car has run perfectly all summer without any need for maintenance but now has suddenly failed. "What's gone wrong" :D:D:D
 
I did glow plugs, leak offs and in tank pump ( which I noticed wasn't working when I tried to prime the filter after a change.) Now starts perfectly cold. Also I have a CTEK clever charger which is awesome.
 
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