More Glow Plug issues - 1000 on backorder!

Flying J · **Posted:** Tue Apr 04, 2006 11:41 pm

Puked my 2nd glow plug in 10 days. First one was #2 cyl, this last one was #4. The service rep told me there were over 1000 on back order and not to expect it for at least a month. MSRP on this was almost $31k and DiamlerChrylser can't even stock replacement parts for this rig??? I hope the big delay is because a redesign is coming out.

Anyway, I was doing some math on the way home. Lets just say that Jeep sold 5000 CRD's for model year 2005 and another 5000 up till now for 2006. If there are really over 1000 on back order, that's ~10% (I'm sure some have more then one bad, but close enough). If 10% of a vehicle production run is waiting for parts, that doesn't bode will for the situation!

retmil46 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 12:13 am

That's assuming 1 glow plug = 1 CRD. Most I've seen listed with glow plug problems usually had 2 or more go bad.

Also, there are 4 glow plugs in each CRD. That's 40,000 glow plugs. 1000 out of 40,000 would be around 2 1/2 %.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 6:49 am

retmil46 wrote:

That's assuming 1 glow plug = 1 CRD. Most I've seen listed with glow plug problems usually had 2 or more go bad.

Also, there are 4 glow plugs in each CRD. That's 40,000 glow plugs. 1000 out of 40,000 would be around 2 1/2 %.

You paid attention in math class didn't you Mitch. :wink:

I have a failed vacuum boost solenoid switch (no effect on turbo boost) in ours, wonder how many here has had one of those fail? 1 or 2 out of 10,000?

bbo · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:17 pm **Posts:** 382

also is the same glow plug used in other models of the mopar line? that would water it down a bit more ..

As well ... I have had two replaced myself .. no biggie ... I drove while I waited for the parts ... I think it took less than a week each time to get the part .. no driveability or starting issues either.

Reggie · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:03 am

retmil46 wrote:

That's assuming 1 glow plug = 1 CRD. Most I've seen listed with glow plug problems usually had 2 or more go bad.

Also, there are 4 glow plugs in each CRD. That's 40,000 glow plugs. 1000 out of 40,000 would be around 2 1/2 %.

Actually it's not as simple if one looks at time in service. I had one go at ~7k and it looks like another one is now bad at 8k. How many of those 40,000 glow plugs have had enough time in service to fail yet? Looking at the current failure rate, the projected service life of the part does not look all that promising. Also I live in Houston so why are the glow plugs even on?

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

Another point is that these are the new Bosch Rapiterm Glow plugs, which provide very fast warm up time, use less power and replace the older design traditional style 12vdc glow plugs. They will operate correctly even when the battery voltage is as low as 8 Vdc, because they run at 7 Vdc. But their advanced functionality has a price. The FSM was warnings on 2 key areas - Never use 12VDC or battery test prods to test them as they will either burn out or weaken and burn out later, and never touch the ceramic tips with bare hands. According to the FSM, oil from ordinary skin contact will shorten their life and cause premature failure.

So I wonder how many failed gp's are due to egr/gp cycling issues, as evidenced by at least 3 software updates which mention gp duty cycle changes to the ECM, and how many are failing due to improper handling by the original installers? This reminds me of the Sylvania Silverstars that so many had premature failures - and blamed them on poor design. Yet in the postage stamp sized instructions on the Sylvania's were specific instructions on not touching the bulbs with skin, as the slight oil would cause premature failure due to the high temperatures involved. They even recommended cleaning with alcohol. I did this on my 02 Sylvania Silverstars, which are now 5 years old and they are still going strong.

The TDI owners are also using these new gp's and having similar failure rates. New technology, new handling techniques?

kjfishman · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:37 pm

1. Are these covered under our 100k warranty?

2. Are they difficult to change yourself?

3. What does the part cost and how much labor time?

oldnavy · **Posted:** Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:47 pm

kjfishman wrote:

1. Are these covered under our 100k warranty? Yes

2. Are they difficult to change yourself? depends on your skill level, but no they are not a difficult a job. I seen harder SP changes in gassers

3. What does the part cost and how much labor time? Don't know, will worry about it 100k miles from now

Ranger1 · **Joined:** Mon Oct 17, 2005 7:40 pm **Posts:** 1137

kjfishman wrote:

1. Are these covered under our 100k warranty?
You would think so. However, if they classify them as electrical and non-mechanical, they could be less than 100K

2. Are they difficult to change yourself?
Not really, at least for #1 and 4, but gp's 2 and 3 are hidden behind the air intake snorkel - it has to be removed first. Not a big issue, just adds some time to the process.

3. What does the part cost and how much labor time?

Part lists for $49.99 - no idea on labor. As OldNavy stated, there are spark plugs that are much harder to change that the CRD gp's. Under normal service, you shouldn't have to even think about changing them. They should last for years, once they get the kinks worked out.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 06, 2006 9:53 am

There were suppose to recieve ~250 of them on 30 March according to my parts guy, but as of Monday they had not gotten mine. It gets annoying though driving around with the CEL on.

shred · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:29 pm

I had a glow plug relay replaced at 300 mi. It took a week to get the part and the vehicle remained at the dealership for that time because it was not safe to drive according to the service mgr.

oldnavy · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:38 pm

shred wrote:

I had a glow plug relay replaced at 300 mi. It took a week to get the part and the vehicle remained at the dealership for that time because it was not safe to drive according to the service mgr.

For a GP relay??? Wonder if they even know what a GP is at that place? All it's going to do is maybe make it a little had to start when in cold weather.

bbo · **Joined:** Fri Sep 30, 2005 5:17 pm **Posts:** 382

weird .. both gp's I had replaced .. I kept the vehicke for > a week each time .. no real drivability issues for me ...

More Glow Plug issues - 1000 on backorder!

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