Diesel engines start using the compression of the air fuel mixture. Diesels don’t like starting when cold. Hence diesel engines are fitted with glow plugs to heat the air fuel mix, to assist starting when cold. Whereas petrol engines start with the assistance of a spark plug to ignite the fuel.
If a diesel engine is running well and starts easily when the engine is warm, but won’t start when cold, (or takes ages to get it started when cold). It could be an issue with the glow plugs, the glow plug system (module, relay, or voltage supply).
Topics:
List of checks that can be carried out:
With a Multimeter:
Without a Multimeter:
This page contains all the detail on glow plug fault finding, their fault symptoms, testing and repair.. If you just want to view the videos, they can be found on this page ‘Diesel Won’t Start When Cold – The Video’s‘. (Opens in a new tab)).
This article is for guidance only…
You may see white smoke from the exhaust whilst trying to start the engine and for a short while when the engine starts (unburnt fuel). The video above shows an example of what can happen:
If you see white smoke coming from the exhaust (unburnt fuel), after several starting attempts…
There could be a number of causes why they’ve failed. Often, the cause may be just down to failure due to old age and wear and tear! A glow plug is stressed throughout it’s life. It can go from frozen to glowing red hot in a matter of seconds. There is expansion and contraction, oil, rust, corrosive gases, pressure, combustion (explosions), etc, etc. Glow plugs have a hard life! The materials used and quality of manufacture probably have a lot to do with their lifespan, plus… Where you live (the engines starting temperature), number of times the engine is started, how long the engine is run for…
Philosophical statement here – Glow plugs may be like human beings. Some have a long and happy life whilst others…
There can also be other factors too. As an example, my daughter decided to drive through a deep puddle where water was sucked into the engine. She naturally tried to start the car, but it wouldn’t start (hydraulic water lock in the cylinders). When we cleared the cylinders and got the car started. All the glow plugs started to fail. I presume it was because the glow plugs had been trying to heat the water in the cylinders. An environment glow plugs weren’t designed for? So, there could be a number of causes why glow plugs fail…
Why do we have have them?
Diesel fuel is not as volatile as petrol. It doesn’t ignite so easily, especially when the air temperature (engine starting temperature) is cold. Diesel engines ignite the air/fuel mixture injected into the engine cylinders, by using the compression created by the pistons. Unlike petrol engines, diesel engines don’t have spark plugs. Diesel engines also needs a bit of warmth to help the process…
As part of an explanation, a few years back, I took part in a demonstration to show if diesel fuel would ignite easily (when there was a diesel spill on water). This was in controlled conditions where diesel was added to a water filled tray. The diesel floated on top of the water. A torch flame was used to try and ignite the diesel. However hard we tried, the diesel would not ignite. However, when we heated the diesel in one corner of the tray, and it began to give off a vapour. We were able to ignite this diesel vapour easily. The heat from the flames in the corner of the tray, then started to heat the rest of the diesel floating on top of the water. This created more vapour, and we soon had a raging fire on our hands (with the whole tray alight). We then had fun putting out the test fire with foam fire extinguishers!
Hopefully this explanation shows how glow plugs can help igniting the diesel when the engine is cold to aid starting (more so in colder temperatures).
Diesel Cold Starting – Things to Check
Note:
For the initial testing, you will need a voltmeter, or a simple method of checking for a voltage. However, it’s not essential. If you don’t have a voltmeter, just go straight to the section on Testing Without a Voltmeter (Multimeter)…
* If you are unsure about working on vehicle electrics, seek the advice of an electrical engineer *
Three Easy Steps:
1. Is there a voltage at the glow plugs?
If there is a voltage supply (the correct voltage), then we know the relay and control module are probably working (also see 2. below).
2. How long is the voltage applied?
There is a timer that applies a voltage for a set amount of time. Therefore you need to check how long the supply is switched on.
3. Check the glow plugs?
If the correct voltage is applied (and for the correct amount of time), then the actual glow plugs will need to be checked.
It’s easy to check the timer and relay with a voltmeter. If you don’t have a voltmeter, you can still check them with a car battery and a jump lead (see the two options below).
Short video on how to remove glow plugs:
There isn’t much you can check on the relay and glow plug control module, other than voltages. Therefore, all you need is a simple test meter, (multimeter, voltage meter, voltage tester, or you could use a vehicle lightbulb and some wire). If you happen to have replacements, you can always swap the units over to check their operation?
Please refer to the vehicle manual, as each vehicle may be slightly different.
Topics:
Notes:
1. Checking the Supply Voltage (and the relay):
Remove (unclip) each of the connectors and check the voltage to each of the glow plugs when the ignition is switched on. See the video below (at the end of section 2). ‘Testing the Supply Voltage & Timer‘.
What Voltage Should my Glow Plugs Work On?
There is a large number of different voltage specifications for vehicles, ranging from 4.4v all the way up to 23v. The majority appear to be rated at 11v. However, it should be noted that the 11v glow plug will work perfectly fine on 12v, which is the case in the videos shown here. I guess they are rated at 11v, in case the output from the vehicle’s electrical system is low. Plus they will have a + or – operating tolerance.
You could assume that:
You may find a manufacturer’s colour coding system, to indicate the operating voltage (i.e. yellow or orange for 5v). However, I would only use a colour indicator as a guide (past experience, where manufacturer’s don’t strictly adhere to helpful indicators).
Always check your part numbers on the manufacturers website to ensure the correct part is being fitted. I.e. If your vehicle system is 12 volts and you find 5 volts is supplied (and you don’t have a manual showing this type of detail). Check the specifications on the manufacturers website, to check the voltage is correct. The voltage may be regulated down (by the vehicles control unit) to a different voltage…
Example:
One manufacture has a range of glow plugs that run at either:
Notes:
2. Checking the Glow Plug Timer (Control Module):
Check how long the timer (control module) voltage is supplied to each of the glow plugs. It should be for around 10 to 20 seconds dependant on the vehicle.
Other things to check:
Short video on testing the supply voltage and glow plug timer:
3. Checking the Glow Plug Resistance:
With a voltmeter (multimeter), we can check the resistance. This will tell us if they are:
Glow Plugs can be tested either when fitted, or removed. However, a less accurate reading may be obtained if testing whilst still fitted (there maybe additional resistance in the circuit).
Resistance Topics:
At the end of section 3. is a table of ‘Typical Resistance Values‘, and whether they pass or fail.
3.1 Checking Your Test Meter (Multimeter):
Before you start, you may need to check your test meters resistance?
Select ohms, and connect the multimeters leads together. Is the meter reading 0 ohms? If not, recalibrate your test meter. If there is no facility to do this, just subtract the reading you obtained (when connecting the leads together) from the actual reading taken from the glow plugs.
For example. If you get a glow plug reading of 14 ohms and your multimeter had a reading of 8 ohms, we now know the glow plug measured 6 ohms (14 ohms – 8 ohms = 6 ohms).
Make sure the contact points (where you measure the glow plugs) are clean and free from oil and corrosion.
Note:
3.2 Testing the Resistance (Fitted):
We can measure the resistance whilst they’re still installed. This may only give an indication of their condition, as there may be additional resistance in the circuit. However, it can prove that there is a circuit and that corrosion is not a factor in the glow plug failing to work.
Short video on how to measure the glow plug resistance (when fitted):
3.3 Testing the Resistance (Removed):
What can we check..?
The Condition?
Carry out a visual check for general condition, such as corrosion, or any obvious damage etc.
The Resistance?
The resistance check is a more detailed check on the condition of the heater element. It can indicate if the glow plug is worn, or on the way out (see the table of Typical Resistance Values below).
Short video on how to measure the glow plug resistance (when removed):
The Continuity?
If your test meter can’t read low resistance (1 to 6 ohms), or you don’t have a multimeter? Do a continuity check.
A continuity check will test if there is an open circuit (check if the glow plug is broken internally). You can check continuity with a cheap & simple ‘buzzer’ or ‘light probe’ tester. If you don’t get a ‘buzz’, or a glow from the light, (the glow plug is open circuit) and is defective!
It’s very easy to check, even if you don’t have a test meter (multimeter). To get the best results, remove the glow plug before testing.
Short video on how to test the continuity of glow plugs:
How to Test From Start to Finish (With a Multimeter) – The Complete Guide
3.4 Typical Resistance Values:
The table below shows typical resistance values and whether they would pass or fail. Note the difference in values between measurements taken when installed and removed. This could vary greatly if there is any corrosion present, or there is a ‘bad contact’ when they’re inserted.
Typical Glow Plug Resistance Values
Glow Plug | Condition | Resistance (Fitted) 1 | Resistance (Removed) 1 | Pass or Fail |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Old | 3.031 MΩ | 2.181 MΩ | ✖ |
2 | Old | 16.24 KΩ | 15.24 KΩ | ✖ |
3 | Old | 47.26 KΩ | 45.77 KΩ | ✖ |
4 | Old | 211.2 Ω | 208.9 Ω | ✖ |
5 | New | 1-6 Ω 2 | 1 Ω 2 | ✔ |
6 | New | 1-6 Ω 2 | 1 Ω 2 | ✔ |
Note: | 1 The difference in resistance for the same glow plug when fitted and removed… | |||
2 The resistance (fitted) may vary and is approximate. The new generation of glow plugs can have a resistance value below 1 ohms. You may need to refer to the manufacturers specifications, to get the correct value… |
Example:
One manufacturer states:
Notes:
3.5 The Glow Plug Resistance Explained:
Low resistance is good. It means the glow plug will heat up…
“The total energy dissipated by the circuit is proportional to current, so the resistance of the heating element has to be low enough to draw sufficient current to generate enough heat”.
But…
“The resistance of the heating element has to be high enough so that most of the energy is dissipated by the heating element”.
In other words…
You want a low resistance, so the energy is dissipated in the glow plug and it heats up. But… Not a really, really low resistance (like a dead short). Otherwise, the energy will be dissipated in the glow plug, and in the rest of the circuit. Blowing the fuse and potentially melting the wires (dependant on the fuse rating and how quickly the fuse reacts!).
Note:
4. Glow Plugs Failing Under Load:
Glow plugs can fail under load. To check this, you need to measure the current supplied to the glow plugs and see if the current supply falls away over time. You can do this with a test meter, or a clamp meter. Be careful though! You will need to be confident measuring current with a test meter, as you can break your test meter if you configure the connections incorrectly…
There are some easy checks you can carry out, using a:
Beware:
The following tests can be carried out:
You can test when fitted or removed, as indicated below:
Safety Precautions:
Do not short the battery connections, (or yourself across the battery, it could give you a shock!) i.e. Between the live (+ve) and the earth, or bodywork (-ve). 12 volts is not usually enough to kill you, but batteries larger than 12v may do? Hydrogen gas given off by the battery can ignite, causing an explosion. Sending bits of battery and acid everywhere…
1. Is there a Circuit (When Fitted)?
The glow plugs can be tested for a working circuit (when fitted), by using a wire from a live 12v (or 24v depending on the system) supply and touching the end of the exposed glow plug (with the connector removed). If a spark is present when the end of the glow plug is touched, we know current is passing through the glow plug back to the battery. This indicates the glow plug is not open circuit.
You can also use two pieces of wire and a vehicle light bulb, (you would need to attach the wire to the light bulb connections, or use a bulb holder). One of the wires goes to the positive side of the battery, and the other wire is connected to the end of the glow plug. If there is a circuit, the bulb will light. As an alternative, you can often buy a similar ready made car voltage tester that lights up off the shelf.
Notes:
2. Does the Glow Plug Work (Testing When Removed)?
When removed, we can carry out a visual check whilst testing to see if it works.
For safety reasons:
In this case, use a jump lead for testing, not a thin piece of wire…
Note:
Two Methods:
a. Connect directly to the battery: (not recommended)!
b. Connect to the actual glow plug supply:
a. Connect directly to the battery:
Testing the glow plugs by connecting directly to the battery is not recommended…
For the following reasons:
Use method ‘b.’ instead:
b. Connect to the actual glow plug supply:
To save time, two test’s can be carried out the same time. Goto 3. Does the Relay and Timer Work? below for more detail.
3. Does the Relay and Timer Work (Testing when Removed)?
This test is similar to ‘Connect to the actual glow plug supply‘ above, but has an additional test. You can time how long the glow plug works for, (before the timer switches the supply off).
Short video on how to test without a test meter:
How to Test From Start to Finish (With Jump Leads & Wire) – The Complete Guide
The following table gives examples of the test equipment, tools, etc you can buy to fix your vehicle. If you’re not sure what you need, sometime it’s worth having a look? The list below may give you an idea of what’s what’s available, what to look for and how much it costs…
Ordering Parts – Examples of What You Can Buy:
Glow Plug Prices | |
---|---|
Item | Location |
Glow Plugs | |
Test Equipment | |
Glow Plug Tools | |
Jumper Cables | |
Glow Plugs | |
Test Equipment | |
Glow Plug Tools | |
Jumper Cables | |
Glow Plugs | |
Test Equipment | |
Glow Plug Tools | |
Jumper Cables | |
Glow Plugs | |
Test Equipment | |
Glow Plug Tools | |
Jumper Cables | |
Glow Plugs | |
Test Equipment | |
Glow Plug Tools | |
Jumper Cables |
Is the same as for the removal, except…
I have seen vehicles where the warning indicator on the dashboard only appears very briefly. So briefly, you can miss it. Whereas on other vehicles, the indicator stays on a lot longer? As a guess, it’s probably down to the circuit design for that particular vehicle (if the vehicle starts and runs fine, with no white smoke). The periodicity the symbol displays may vary from vehicle to vehicle… However, always assume the glow plugs are needed, and wait for them to heat the cylinders, to aid the engine starting process (see the notes below for more info…).
If you need to check they are actually working:
With a test meter:
Without a test meter:
Notes:
– click or tap the image to view full size –