Club 80-90 Forums

I have a 1.6D 1985. I was having issues with the battery and sluggish starting and the glow plug light flickering but it started straight away every time if there was enough charge in the battery.
Within the last three weeks I have changed the battery, changed the glow plug relay, tested the glow plugs (fine), checked the alternator (fine), Tested the reconditioned starter motor (fine) but now I have an issue with it starting.
I wait about 30secs for the glow plug light on the dash to go off and try to start it and all it does is turn over. It's not sluggish at all it just won't kick up. I repeat this twice before it eventually starts. It takes too long to start!!!

I know that there are quick start (30secs) or slow start (90secs) and I'm trying to figure out if the relay is incorrect or if there is something that might be the problem. I assume that ours is quick start?

Can anyone help?

How have you tested the glow plugs? Any white smoke?
30 Sec at this time of year is a bit long, temp sender and/or relay timer malfunctioning?

Doing pics again.

Hi and thanks for that. It now looks like I have the normal glow system. I don't know which relay I have as it's an aftermarket relay. The writing is in white but I'm not sure how to tell which is the correct one.

I will get an ammeter to test the circuit tomorrow. We did test all the glow plugs and they seemed to be fine. I have just replaced the temp sensor also. Still not there.

Thanks for your help.

I use a clamp meter to check the draw - you will be hard pushed to find a (cheap enough) ammeter to check 48A.

Good for 1000 Amps!!!

and I do seem to have white smoke on the initial ignition. What does that mean?

Glow plug/s not working usually.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:Glow plug/s not working usually.

I can't seem to find anyone selling specific glow plugs on the net. Everyone just states that the plugs will suit the engine but they never state if they are slow or quick start. This must be a common problem for lots of people.

The normal glow plugs are what is usually offered - the quick glow ones would need to be specifically asked for I should think. How were the current glow plugs tested?

Brickwerks sell the BERU GN 857 which according to its specs are rated at 14 Amp which leads me to believe that they are quick glow ones! I just replaced mine with those and have had no problems.

Oldiebut goodie wrote:The normal glow plugs are what is usually offered - the quick glow ones would need to be specifically asked for I should think. How were the current glow plugs tested?

Brickwerks sell the BERU GN 857 which according to its specs are rated at 14 Amp which leads me to believe that they are quick glow ones! I just replaced mine with those and have had no problems.

I have replaced the glow plugs and I still have the same problem. I have also checked earths, all cleaned and good. I am at a loss now as to what I can do.

Are the glow plugs getting the power needed?
Are you using the cold start?

I have just gone through everything again, tested, checked and cleaned and re-fitted everything again and it now starts exactly as it should!!!!

Thank you for your help and for the diagram too.

You wouldn't happen to know how to fix the speedo on the dash. I have tested that and it sticks intermittently. Any ideas?

Thanks again for the help with the starting issue.

If you have been moving things in the black box it is worth checking that the fuse is in good condition - they can get corroded or cracked if old. They are 50 Amp and I always have a couple of spares in the glove box in case of this.

Hi Daco,

I’m glad everything is working exactly how it should for you and it seems like you had some sort of connection problems to start with. Since connections in a car get corroded overtime and the current draw by different components becomes different. However, during this whole process, did you specifically identify any problematic components or connection so that anyone having such issues, like me, could directly go that connection precisely?