Sorry, glow plug question

[g_man1972]

Hello all,

Now I know that by using the search function I may be able to find the solution to this problem, but there are so many posts related to them to look through I thought I would risk it and just ask.

So, normally I the turn key, click, wait few seconds, second click start. Press on gas to keep it around 1000rpm, few seconds later click, rpm goes up, few seconds, click, rpm goes down. Does this ~4 times. Well it doesn't do that anymore, staring is the same, but now there is nothing for like 10 seconds, then one click and rpm goes up. If memory serves the clicking will still happen even if the glow plugs are done, does this mean there is something wrong with the clicking box?

It still started normal, not hard at all at around 4c.

Whatcha all think?

Cheers
Gary

[jfpdelica]

I've had to replace my ECU (which clicks from behind your seat). But if you start your van in warmer conditions, the glow-plugs have no need to re fire again. Have you pulled your glow-plugs to look for any wear or corrosion. Mine at this time and temperature, don't re-fire unless it's a cold morning. With this search feature try to be brief and concise. Good luck.

[marsgal42]

Warmer weather = different glow plug activity.

...laura

[freestyler]

Without any more info, what you describe is pretty normal. Keep an eye on it, and see what happens. Mine seems to behave differently at the same temps when there is fog outside.

... It's taken me a long time to get over the various weird noises that these things make from time to time and to stop thinking it's a engine mount or a cracked turbohousing.

[g_man1972]

Thanks for the info and here is a bit more info to describe the problem. I have had this van for 18 months and the description I gave of how it starts has been exactly the same for the duration. If it's plus 29 or -8, it always goes through the cycle of clicks like I mentioned, until 3 days ago that is. So something is amis and I am hoping to catch it before it cascades into another problem, like if it's the ecu and if I don't do anything about it then it will bugger up my glow plugs, know what I mean?

I'll try and have a look at the glow plugs to check for corrosion... just have to find out where they are and how to get them out .

Have a good night
Gary

[Golf Cart]

I'll try and have a look at the glow plugs to check for corrosion... just have to find out where they are and how to get them out .

Gary,
They are on the passengerr side of the engine , on the head - they look like little spark plugs. they are all connected by what they call a "buss bar",- a strip of metal. Undo the nut on the top to disconnect the bar, and the power wire. A 10mm socket gets them out. IF you are looking for corrosion, it will be on the terminal where the buss bar connects. Alot of people will get rid of the buss bar and build a 4 wire harness to connect the power.

Good luck

[impalator]

Hi there,

I had some glow-plug issues as well... it started with the clicker behind the seat clicking in and out at any given time during a drive (with engine obviously warm and no need to click/fire the glow plugs).

This eventually led to burnt out glow plugs and terrible starting challenges (if it would start at all, it would only do so after many attempts - so that you would start to worry about your batteries... and once it fired it would blow greyisch / blackish / blueish smoke like an army smoke grenade....)

So I changed the glow plugs and it started well again... until the new plugs were burnt out too - as a result of this erratic clicking... Finally I took it to CVI and they bypassed the ECU/Clicker altogether by mounting a push-button on the dashboard which (when pressed) fires the glow-plugs manually.

I actually have gotten so used to this method that it works really well. When weather is mild (10 degrees or more) a mere "firing" of 3 seconds or so is sufficient to get a smooth start... if it is really cold (like -25 degrees in the Cariboo) I need to press for 8 - 10 seconds prior to turning the key... and it will start (and initially run with a lot of grumble and rumble... but it will start fine)...

So this is a very cost effective (approx. $ 20.00 for a high-enough amp button and some fun finding a good spot for the button on the dash) and will eliminate any future ECU issues... My ECU still clickers away when I drive around... but I just smile as it won't do any harm....

Cheers, Chris

[jfpdelica]

So Impalator,
I seem to notice a slightly different attitude from your post. Is that because you finally visited CVI? Butch & Edwin do great things for the Delica community, don't you agree? Your latest post have what seems like almost a smile to them, good for you. How about no more post's with wording of Delica's & Crap in the same line. Nice to hear you've found someone to help.

[g_man1972]

Awesome Golf Cart, thanks for the instructions. I'll give it a go this weekend and post what I find out.

Thanks for the tip as well Chris, if I find that my glow plugs aren't corroded then I will plan another CVI trip to get it checked out. What you describe is what I was afraid of, change the glow plugs for what ever they cost only to have them burn out again... not my idea of cost effective. Especially if I can bypass it for $20+

Cheers all, thanks as usual for the superb deli help!
Gary

[impalator]

Hi JFPDelica,

Well, I wrote my initial "crap" post at the height of the moment - and let me tell you, I was frustrated to hell with this thing... I guess I am an impulsive personality... and when venting is needed it is needed.

However, I would like to clarify that I never claimed: "Delicas are crap" - rather than that I asked the question: "Are Delicas crap?" - in my opinion a fine but clear difference.

I did got to CVI from the very first moment on, with the first thing that went wrong... and can only say the best things about Butch and Edwin and their extremely fair and honest approach. But the problems (a new one every time) kept coming... so I got pretty frustrated (with my Van and with myself - for buying what I honestly considered a lemon at that point and for what I consider a pretty significant amount of money for a 15 year old used vehicle).

On the upside, I believe my post got quite a few people riled up (it's always fun to rile people up, isn't it?). I guess the entire Delica crowd is quite emotional about their vehicles - myself included (I have always had some sort of emotional attachment to any vehicle I ever had - or else I wouldn't have bought it) - some going as far as calling their cars cute little names (while I still just call it the "Van" or the "Delica"). But that's the beauty of it - different personalities and opinions make life colourful....

And you know.... opinions are like a..holes (everbody has one.... ) - one of my favourite quotes....

So I have no intention to write another "crap" post at this point... but I certainly would get mad and frustrated again if some "crappy stuff" were to happen to my Delica again...

Anyways.... I wish everybody a great day...

Cheers,
Chris

[Golf Cart]

Chris,

A short fuse IS a wonderful thing isnt it !!!!

[jfpdelica]

hey no worries Chris....lol

[konadog]

Well, I wrote my initial "crap" post at the height of the moment - and let me tell you, I was frustrated to hell with this thing... I guess I am an impulsive personality... and when venting is needed it is needed.
Chris

I think "are delicas crap?" was great - an honest question that lead to an informative and entertaining thread. And I bet the previous Japanese owners of pretty much all our delicas thought of them as crap - or at least worn-out junk that they were happy to unload for enough dough to buy dinner out and a bottle of Saki, or perhaps a nice steering wheel cover for their new ride. Btw, on the UK site you can't even write "crap" - really, it gets auto *BEEP* edited Maybe they're sensitive 'cause most of them drive L-400's OYE!

[impalator]

Wow, I didn't know about the UK site and the BEEP of naughty words... And being from Europe myself, I always thought that the North Americans are the politically correct ones. Well... should I ever have to write again about some "Barnyard Dropping-Issues" concerning the Van, I would refer to it as "Poop" ...

I love the Delica website... it's so much fun....

Cheers