I have been having problems with the glowplug system on my 1988 2.4VM.
I believe the new relay/timer I have bought is faulty, that will be returned, in the meantime I have ordered another from a different supplier and a different make, hopefully this one will turn up later in the week and it will cure the problem of no current getting to the glows.
I am stressing out a bit now as last night we were invited to a big birthday bash in Paris on the weekend, (about the only reason we would ever consider going there at the moment) so we need a vehicle that will get us there. As it will be around 350 Kms each way it would be quite expensive to hire a car.

So to my cunning plan, could I just put the 12v from battery through a big switch and fuse and put power to the glows manually?? holding the switch over for about 8 or 9 seconds and turning it off as I fire up the starter on the ignition??

Once started I could disconnect the fuse to make that system dead/safe, and then if and when we need to restart during the journey it wouldn't normally need the glows anyway.

Would this work? what am I likely to feck up big time by doing this?

thats how it used to work in the old days....without the disconnect and fuse bit.

Ive seen it with a wire under the bonnet....opne the bonnet...hold wire on batter + for a while or until it gets to hot....start the engine. Thats maybe a bit rough bit it will work if it had to

Using wiring & switch of appropriate size can't see a problem.
Don't forget your gilet jaune

I believe a lot of scooters and motor bikes still use a solenoid to kick in the electric start some thing like that would do, I did the same thing when I put a Diahatsu engine in 75 classic with push button on the dash.

What you have described is pretty much the exact way the glow plugs were wired in early 90/110 diesels

I binned the timer relay on my digger and converted glow plug heating to manual, works fine, my tractor also uses the same system. As long as the switch is good, no need to pull the fuse.

The car is just being sensible, nobody in their right mind would go near Paris at the moment

Thanks to all for the help. I still have hope that a replacement timer/relay will arrive in time for me to fit before the need to travel, but you have all put my mind at rest if I have to wire up a get-around.

Datatek said:

The car is just being sensible, nobody in their right mind would go near Paris at the moment

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I really want to attend the birthday bash of a dear friends 70th, otherwise there is NO way would I be doing this trip, esp at the moment.
By the way, had a great creaic with Dick and Rosa Sat night. Nice people.