ATXKJ wrote:
Well - I don't remember anyone killing all four plugs at once,
nor do I remember anyone going into a limp mode because of the glow plugs
I'm thinking the Module is the first check
but as you pull that check resistance on the plugs - good is <2 ohms - bad is commonly ~ 200+
Here are the ohm readings, from left to right on the realy plug (1 through 4?)
#1: 48.0; #2: 107.0; #3: 5.7; #4: 94.0
Well, I guess here is where I should give some more information. I had a brief but bad experience that could have turned ugly but did not, thankfully.
On Saturday, I decided it was time to fix the rattling exhaust system. It got this way when I replaced the crank position sensor recently. When I tightened the v-band clamp at the turbine housing outlet, apparently the exhaust had moved about 1/2" towards the framerail. Wedged a 2x4 between the muffler and frame, loosened the clamp, saw the exhaust move a bit and then re-tightened the clamp. All should be good. Removed wedged 2x4.
As I was re-assembling the air filter ducting, specifically at the compressor inlet, I noticed that there was what looked like dirt on the compressor wheel. Oh, okay, let's spray it with some degreaser from work, it's called ID Red from Zep.
Got it all put back together, fired up the engine so as to hear if the rattle had ceased at shutdown (from the bumping exhaust) and, OH MY SWEET MARY, upon start up or shortly thereafter, a second or five, the tractor decided to try and peg the tach! Guess the ID Red found it's way around to the intake, eh?!
Anyways, my hand had not left the key during this startup so I immediately shut it down and all calmed down with out any more fanfare. With heart racing, and right hand shaking, I had to "get back on the horse" so to speak. Deep breath. Okay, start it again and see what happens. Fires up, idles fine, revs fine, took it to about 2,000 or so. Shut off, Re-start, all is good. Bump is gone too. Wait a minute, why is the check engine light on? Damnit! Well, I need another air filter anyways, so let's go to the Advance and we'll read the codes. Sure enough, all four glow plugs are throwing codes. I cleared the codes and drove home, no problem.
Drove it to church Sunday morning, CEL is on again. No problem. This time, I'll go by O'Reilly's and see what's up. Same codes for the glow plugs. Cleared codes. Proceeded to cross the street to McD's for some large sweet teas. Go to drive home and it feels like I'm in 3rd gear. No acceleration to speak of but it will get to 40 MPH eventually so okay, I'll get it home and we'll see what's up. Try the key off, wait 15 seconds, start up. Tried it in the drive way, still the same. Maybe I did not wait long enough on the key off part.
Post the problems, start searching around the forum, disconnect the battery for a bit, verify the codes on the list, tested with the ohm meter and so here we are.
Hook up the battery, fire it up. CEL still there, no surprise. Idles fine, drove it, accelerates fine now. Whew. I can use it for work on Monday. Find the P/N on eBay for the glow plug and relay kit from Mother Mopar. Called my Parts Manager buddy and he'll have them there on Tuesday along with the mack-daddy 3.7 Liter towing fan that I ordered (seperate issue)
Monday has come and gone. Drove it 200 miles for the job. Started, stopped, drove it on the highway, no issues except for the CEL.
I will go and check the glow plugs again with it totally cold and see what it reads. I honestly can't think of what else would have killed them if not for the ID Red
Moral of the story: if you use some sort of degreaser on the comp wheel, as I have done in the past, make sure that you take the hose off of the compressor housing outlet and soak up at least some of the degreaser with a paper towel or something. This is the part that I DID NOT do this time.
FWIW,
Hoosier CRD
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