glow plug relay

[tarlac]

Can anybody tell me where the glow plug relay is on a '98 525tds?

[witeshark]

Have you looked in the ECU box (in the engine compartment)?

[tarlac]

I can't find an ecu box in the engine compartment. There's a fuse box in the glove box but it has no relays.

[marti5]

Strange you should have on your car 2 black boxes under the hood one in each corner at the rear next to the fire wall, if i remember correct they have clips on them , one of these boxes contain the relays.

[tarlac]

thankyou marti5. Had just worked that out. I put this engine in about two months ago and started getting busted pipes on the injectors. I replaced all them. everything back to the fuel filter and even replaced that. still need a toe-start. When its warmed up its fine. So reckoned the heater plugs had calved so replaced all them with a new set of bosch. Still need a toe to start in the mornings. so reckoned might be the relay but apparently they very rarely go. don't know. It's a pricey item to replace if it's not the problem. Short of putting it into a dealer what do you think I should do?

[tarlac]

Originally Posted by witeshark

Have you looked in the ECU box (in the engine compartment)?

do you know where the fuse link for the glow plug relay is on the 98 525tds. I take it it's in the ECU box !

[witeshark]

You're looking in all the boxes by now I imagine.

[marti5]

So does it crank over fine and does the glow plug light come on and go off ?.

After youve tow started it and then turn it off does it start up ok, also how long before you cant resart.

[tarlac]

Originally Posted by marti5

So does it crank over fine and does the glow plug light come on and go off ?.

After youve tow started it and then turn it off does it start up ok, also how long before you cant resart.

It cranks over fine and the glow plug light goes off after 5 or 10 seconds. After I've tow started it it starts up on the first touch. It's really only when I leave it over night that it won't start. If it's been sitting for three or four hours and I turn the engine for ages, it eventually starts with a ball of smoke

[tarlac]

Originally Posted by witeshark

You're looking in all the boxes by now I imagine.

I'm going out now to check the fuses in the ECU box (or what looks like fuses in the ECU box). Have already checked those in the glove box.

I've put two engines and done shell bearings three times in this car in the last year. A wise man would have changed long ago.

[marti5]

Sounds to me like a fuel pressure problem, as in the fuel non return valve to the tank, as I have had diesels where one or two plugs go and you dont just get a small amount of smoke you get loads like a fog and it continues for quite a while. The fuel pump only kicks in while cranking the engine and not whilst the ignition is turned on, there should be fuel in the rail, which stays there from when you turn it off, ready for the next morning, but if your non return valve has gone, overnight it will return to the tank, so when you tow it its turning over faster than by key hense the pump is pumping like mad to refill the fuel rail, then she fires up, you say you can leave her for a while,but takes a bit of cranking before she fires up , thats because the fuel has started its return to the tank.

[tarlac]

Originally Posted by tarlac

It cranks over fine and the glow plug light goes off after 5 or 10 seconds. After I've tow started it it starts up on the first touch. It's really only when I leave it over night that it won't start. If it's been sitting for three or four hours and I turn the engine for ages, it eventually starts with a ball of smoke

Just went out and checked the fuses in the ECU and there was a big 30amp blown. Replaced and hey presto.. barring a run-down battery. Here's fingers crossed ... until the next time !!

Thanks to Marti5 and Witeshark