GlowPlug Issues

[T25ClubJoker]

I've had a little delve into a few different things regarding glow plugs and issues with wiring, relays etc but can't seem to find any advice regarding the issue I have.

I've got a 1987 T25 1.6jx. Currently like a lot of people it seems I'm not getting the yellow indication light come on when the ignition is on. I've tested the voltage at the relay. 12v at the fuse, 12v incoming from the battery (big red cable on the front of the relay), 12v at the ignition (the 2 black cables), but nothing going out to the glowplugs themselves. Although I must note I was getting around 4v on the brown. I've replaced the relay and even taken the cables out of the relay base and terminated them and connected them directly to the relay pins but still no joy. I've disconnected the temp sender which was recommended by a few people but nothing and I've tested the lamp on the dash which is working fine. 

Any advice/suggestions would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

[The Hairy Camper]

Welcome to the forum.

Is the van actually starting? It shouldn't need the indication light (or even the dash connected!) for the engine to start.

You can manually give the glow plugs/bus bar 12v to get the engine started if necessary.

How is the blue PCB ribbon looking on the dash? Check trace 14 on the ribbon (should connect to a White/Red wire on your van) that connects to the multiplug from the dash, this is the trace connected to the glowplugs and they are often worn out.

Also worth checking are the multiplug connections. These can deteriorate and not make a reliable connections. Replacements can be bought from brickwerks (https://brickwerks.co.uk/product/electr ... connector/).

Good luck.

[T25ClubJoker]

Thanks!

The van does turn over and start eventually, it just takes a few times turning over for it to start.

I'll check the PCB ribbon when I get the chance.

I did put a jumper cable between the earth on the relay and the battery earth and the light came on straight away on the dash for the glowplugs, I'm guessing it could just have a bad earth. I did find 2 earth crowns on behind the fuse box in the dash, am I right in thinking the earth goes here? I do have some longer test leads so I'll probably do a continuity test to find out which one it is or try to find if theres a break in the cable further back.

Cheers

[silverbullet]

40 year old earth crowns are the source of many woes!