Glow plugs T3 tdi

[Kougar38s]

Hi all, I'm a new member and a new owner of a 1989 T3 tdi 1.6.
I wonder if any one can help with a problem I'm having. Its only just started. The glow plug light doesn't come on and its very difficult to start when cold. I've changed the relay but still no joy. When it eventually does start and the cold start "choke" is pushed in it runs a treat. 
I have also noticed that when it does fire the glow plug dash light flickers on for a second!
Any ideas/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[davidoft1]

Check the glow plug activation sensor and wiring , I think it’s a yellow and red wire in the back of the head

[Simon Baxter]

The glow plug system uses a temperature sensor on the engine to decide if the glow plugs need to come on or not.
Dependent on the year of van it could either have a metal screw in sensor or a 20mm push in sensor.
The wire colour for the sensor is blue/white.
If you disconnect the blue/white wire from the sensor then the system should fail safe and put the glow plugs on for the longest duration.
So, disconnect blue/white wire from it's sensor and switch the ignition on and observe the lamp, if the lamp now works the problem is probably temperature sensor related.
There is also a 50A strip fuse next to the glow plug relay, these tend not to blow but to mechanically crack, this will also disable the glow plug system obviously but could result in flaky operation.
As for the "Choke", nearly, not quite.
If the engine is in a good state of tune then you shouldn't need this, it simply advances the injection pump timing a few degrees to help with cold starts and smooth running, if you're having to pull that out during the summer you have issues.
May be worth a read.
https://brickwerks.co.uk/blog/the-smoke ... esel-page/

 

[Simon Baxter]

Oh, and the 1.6 aren't TDI.
There are some 1.9 TDI but they are engine conversions taken from other vehicles.
I answered about presuming you have a 1.l6 TD engine (JX)