Glow system

Dent · **Joined:** Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:05 pm **Posts:** 275

Been having starting problems. My block heater is toast. Verified with an ohm meter. It's not the cord. I've also noticed that I do not have a glow cycle light like on my old VW diesel. Very hard starting below about 30° F. New block heater on the way, but is there something wrong with the glow system? 7V etecno glow plugs.

flash7210 · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2016 3:56 pm

The GP light flashes really quick. Blink and you'll miss it.
If there was a problem with the GP system you'd get a trouble code.
Try cycling the glow plugs twice by turning the key off then on again.

weeks101 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:29 pm **Posts:** 747

Cold starting is a big problem with these things.

Generally I only recommend the 7v Etecnos if you live in a warm climate. They don't do well at all in cold climates.

The 5v steel are better, but still pale in comparison to the OE 7v ceramics.

If you need to start down to 0F with no block heater you should have the 7v ceramic OR 5v steel in combination with a group 65 battery (950 CCA) so you can crank long enough for it to start (violently). We also offer an intake pre-heater that works well with the 5v steels.

Regardless, unless you have the 7v ceramics, anything below 0F is going to result in a relatively "violent" start and a huge cloud of smoke.

I will say, if you go the Webasto route (hooked to a remote starter) you will never look back! We are in Minnesota and I consider this the best mod I have done to my daily driver CRD.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2016 3:58 pm

Shouldn't be hard to start at 30F even if not plugged in. Below 20F might? be a different story. As to not seeing glow plug light see chat on Facebook CRD group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/liberty ... 182206798/ (that should take you to the group and appropriate post but you will have to Join group to see all posts); particularly my comments on light function, duration, and testing. I have no clue how to test gps for actual function (e.g. turning on/off and such).

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sat Dec 03, 2016 9:17 pm

FYI: This is how the glow plug logic works:
Please note, the Glow Plug light on the dash only illuminates for 1 second until the coolant temperature drops to -10C at which point the light on the dash illuminates for a full 10 seconds according to the control chart ...
Even though you will only see the light on the dash illuminate for 1 second (and you may miss it if you are not looking at it) the ECM continues to heat the glow plugs for up to 21 seconds after the dash light has only *blinked depending on the coolant temperature!

*Seems like stupid logic by FCDJ to me, why not just illuminate the dash light for the entire period of time the glow plug is being heated? Duh, a no brainer, STUPID!!! :2cents:

So, based on all of this; in cold weather, leave the ignition switch in the ON position for the entire period of time as listed before trying to start the engine and it may alleviate some of your cold start issues... :wink:

Pre- is heating time prior to engaging the starter motor, and Post- is heating time after the engine starts!

Any questions, just ask!!!
From the FSM wrote:
Ignition Switch On (Engine Off)
When the ignition is turned on, the ECM activates the glow plug relay for a time period that is determined by engine coolant temperature, atmospheric temperature and battery voltage.
When the ignition (key) switch is placed in the ON position, a signal is sent from the sensors to the ECM relaying current engine coolant temperature and ambient air temperature (See Chart below:).
After receiving this signal, the ECM will determine if, when and for how long of a period the glow plugs should be activated. This is done before, during and after the engine is started. Whenever the glow plug module is activated, it will control the 7 volt high amperage circuit for the operation of the four glow plugs.

Glow system

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