The clicking persists!

jpk503 · Post by **jpk503** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 1:53 pm

First off, thanks for the amazing resource that is this forum. I'm a new owner of 1987 Delica and being in the states, this has proved to be invaluable.

Like many others, I have the click. My glow plugs have be clicking constantly. They start fine - I get 1 click, then ~ 8 seconds later, the second. I ruled out the relays based on them working as they should upon start. Based on the archives, my plan of attack was as follows -

1. Clean the battery terminals
- this reduced the clicking for a bit (at least I thought) but not for long

2. Replaced the glow plugs
- one was burned out so this was necessary. I replaced them with NGK 2161 . Started much better and with no white smoke but still the clicking persisted.

3. Replace the temperature control unit
- I thought this did it. No clicking for ~ 3 days that was until I took it on the highway and then the clicking came back.

4. Replace the ECU. Problem here is that I have an '87, which has a different ECU than most. I sent it to CC to be refurbished and here's their reply (Graham and company have been amazing to work with BTW) -

So our guy who fixes these ECU`s has tested every component in the box that normally fails and he can see no problems with it. It is different to the ones we normally send him and it has 5 integrated circuits within it. He has never had to replace an integrated circuit. 4 of the 5 are available as generic I/C`s and can be from $2 to $30 each, the fifth one is a Mitsubishi make and he is checking on the availability and cost of that.

: ECU; photo.JPG (103.17 KiB) Viewed 3971 times

I suppose I should go back and check the wiring harness. Did I miss something? Thanks in advance.

Firesong · Post by **Firesong** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 2:20 pm

Question.
How long does your clicking go on for? Reason I ask is that your ecu will continue to send the odd click if it detects the cylinders need it. That's normal. It might be a matter of minutes sometimes.

That being said there is a sensor located to the left and down of the bus bar. If you do a search on the forum it will give more details. Just needs to be unscrewed and replaced. Not expensive.

jpk503 · Post by **jpk503** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 4:30 pm

Thanks. The clicking continues the entire time I'm driving although it comes in waves.

I've already replace the sensor with a brand new one...

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:21 pm

What voltage are the new GPs? The ECU on the Starwagon is set to work with the 6.3V Super Glows. My clicking time is usually three seconds from first click to second.

Falco.

jpk503 · Post by **jpk503** » Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:46 pm

They're 6.2V. The second click might be closer to 6 seconds. When I only had 3 working plugs, it was about 3 seconds.

Post by **FalcoColumbarius** » Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:15 am

6.2 & 6.3 Seem pretty close but I'm wondering if that .1V would affect the performance of the ECU? There's a place on Vancouver Island (BC, Canada) that sells actual MMC Super Glows called Rocky Mountain Imports, 'though at a pretty penny. Also ~ we don't have this option in Canada any more but you might in the States ~ I think it's the 1986 Ford Ranger came with a 4D55 Mitsu Diesel. This diesel is quite similar to the 4D56 in the Starwagon, you might wish to check with your local parts dealer to see what glow plugs are available for the Ford Ranger with the 4D55, if they are the 6.3 green tops and the price it decent you could potentially become a popular guy in this club... grins.

One other option to consider, which is where I believe we are, currently ~ if it's the ECU ~ to purchase a new one is close to six or eight hundred bucks. There is, however, a post somewhere on this forum where a member took his malfunctioning ECU to the local TV repair man an got charged a nominal fee and a $1.27 for a burnt out resistor. Perhaps something to consider.

Falco.

dr_airtime · Post by **dr_airtime** » Sun Aug 04, 2013 10:59 am

I'm not an expert at all, but I had that same clicking issue after start-up on my 91 L300 Chamonix and replacing my ECU fixed it immediately.

That didn't work for you but hopefully that helps you diagnose. Good luck.

jpk503 · Post by **jpk503** » Thu Jan 23, 2014 9:56 am

I finally sorted out the clicking and it wasn't a solution I had heard on any of the forums. I always suspected part of the electrical problems were due to moisture. The van spend 2 months at sea being shipped over from New Zealand and when I picked it up there was mold growing everywhere. The previous owner never had any electrical issues or clicking. First clue.

Second clue was that one day my glow plugs didn't click upon start, which was a first. I moved the 2 wires around leading into the temp. control sensor and it worked again.

I ended up pulling the loom out and rebuilding it completely. I used this as a rough guide - http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w140-s- ... -step.html

Although it was much easier since there were only 3 wires. New wires and re-soldered the ends. I don't have a finished picture but took about half a day since I was being very diligent. Success! No more clicking.

: Old loom.; photo.JPG (200.83 KiB) Viewed 3765 times

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