gmctd wrote:
Activation temperature would not be of consequence, except for a fact any 5th grade science student knows: liquids congregate at the lowest point in any system, while air congregates in the highest point - with the filter head being the highest point in the KJ system, and the heater being the highest point in the filter head, any heater operation will most invariably commence in air, rather than submersed in fuel - and since it is nothing more than a series of solid-state "coins" compressed together, it doesn't take much to overheat with resultant damage to the plastic connector - colder climes would necessitate replacement to the upgraded version, sooner rather than later.
The glow plugs activate on each start cycle, on-time set by coolant temperature - summer ambients or warm coolant temps call for very brief on-time, cold temps call for more on-time
The NOOB guide at the top of the KJ CRD section lists a website where the Factory Service Manuals can be downloaded in PDF form, with full service procedures including procedure for checking glow plug continuity - briefly, there is a gray 4-wire connector coming from beneath the intake manifold - disconnect it, use an ohmmeter in the low 2ohm range, measure between engine ground and each of the 4 pins for less than 0.6 ohms, indicating a functional glow plug - they are 7-volt ceramic units, so do not attempt any direct testing with 12 volts
Yep, just as I suspected. My 6th grade education finally paid off!
Thanks!
On the start sequence, when you turn the key, there is a brief hesitation before the starter 'hits'. is that time when the glowplugs are cooking? And when it's sub zero, one should expect a several second delay?
I have a Bobcat skidsteer, with Kubota diesel.. ya turn the key, and the screen will tell you to 'wait' X seconds until good-to-start. Sometimes 20 seconds is reqd.