Hi Everyone. I just bought my 05 CRD and brought it home last weekend...Anyway, I live in PA and bought it from SC. Its been cold enough some mornings here to plug it in (the heater cord was still zip tied to the dipstick...haha) Anyway, I've plugged it in when I think it will be cold and it starts just fine, however, when its borderline and I haven't plugged it in or even on regular start-up the glow plug light never comes on. I can see that I have one but it doesn't light up and it takes a few cranks to start it...It doesn't run rough once it starts but it just seems odd to me that the glow plug light never comes on because it always comes on in my Cummins...

Now, I know these are suppose to be fast glow plugs but with it not coming on, does that means they aren't working at all, or my light is burn out or what? I've been waiting until the other lights go off after I turn the key to the on position before I actually hit the starter...

Any other thoughts or suggestions for me?

Thanks.

First off and don't be offended this is not your Cummins just like it's not my former Cummins. Don't know about the current Cummins but the 1993 vintage did not have glow plugs at all, it had a fuel heater grid and when cold the grid light would stay on for a noticable period of time sort of like my Dad's 1970s vintage Mercedes glow plug light that took ca. 10 seconds in warm weather to go out. On the KJ CRD the glow plug light, regardless of exterior temp, will only come on for like 1 second so it's extremely easy to miss.

So on the assumption you just didn't notice there is an easy check of all lights and instrument function. It's the instrument cluster test that can be invoked by holding the trip odometer button while turning the ignition on but not all the way to starting the engine. When 1st triggered all the warning lights will come on including the glow plug light and then each of the analog gauges will do odd things with the needles (e.g. placing the needle in different positions to verify calibration). If the glow plug light comes on during this test it is working, frankly when I crank up I never notice that light, but if not there are a couple of possibilities. 1) someone painted or taped over that light (no clue why they would do this but it has happened with the CEL light where less than honest folks want to hide a CEL from a buyer or 2) the LED for the glow plug has gone out. In the latter event the dealer will tell you that the "cure" is to bend over and cough up $700+ for a new instrument cluster but not to worry the real "cure" is to pull the instrument cluster and if you are good with a soldering gun simply replace the bad LED for $3 or alternatively find a decent electronics shop to do same for a bit more.

FYI if the glow plugs were not working you would have a CEL and hard starting.

By the way welcome to the forum. Be sure to read Sam's NOOB guide and download copies of BOTH the 05 and 06 factory service manuals (05 lacks diesel cooling system info and diagnostics but has illustration keys while 06 is the reverse)

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

Well thank you for the information. I know it isn't my Cummins, which is why I came here.

I will try the trip button hold to see if its working. I know that I haven't missed it because I have made the effort to watch it on start up. I also know it isn't taped over or covered up because I can see where it should be lighting.

Also, I read Sam's NOOB guide but thanks for the input on the Owner's Manuals because I don't actually have one.

I am still not convinced that its just a simple instrument panel problem, more that it may be the glow plug because it only has 55,500 miles on it BUT I guess I will keep trying to find out.

Any other input would still be appreciated.

Thanks.

Try the instrument cluster test (as I understand it this runs completely independent of any "signal" that would trigger the light under normal operation) - if the bulb comes on during the test then the bulb is ok but if not I'd bet on a bad LED - then try a regular key on and confirm whether or not the light comes on (yes I know you say it does not but color me paranoid). If it comes on both times everything is ok. If it comes on during the bulb check but not when the key is turned on then something odd is going on but you will need input from folks who know more about the CRD electronics than I ever will as I have no clue what triggers the light at key on.

Like I said earlier if your glow plugs are not working properly I'd think you would get a CEL also so be sure the confirm that bulb lights during the cluster test.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs