Just had my car MOT'd after a service to get rid of black smoke and loss of power - fantastic job, townace now runs beautifully. However, the mechanic who did the job has gone on holiday for 3 weeks and I notice the glow plug warning light is on continuously. There is no problem starting the car, is there any simple diagnostiic test I can do to check whether this really is a glow plug problem?

- (#12552) Bill Jones, 6 Aug 04 04:12

Sounds like the wires have been reconnected wrongly. Check the resistor that sticks out from the inlet manifold between the EGR vacuum device and the fuel pump. Two wires should be connected to rear of it then seperated by a metal covered rubber type washer. The thin thread at the end should have one wire connected to it.

Also check there is no short to earth at the vertical connection on the manifold where the wires connect to the glowplug bridge.

To check all is ok. Remove the plastic cover from one of the plugs and attach the live conection from a voltmeter and the other lead to earth.

When you turn the ignition (engine cold) you should get about 10.5 volts for a few seconds then a drop to 7 volts (this would be the point at which the glowplug light would switch off on the dash).

- (#12552) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 6 Aug 04 05:02