Pajero in Calgary

[geaddict]

I am looking for a reliable, experienced (and maybe reasonable?) mechanic to service my 95 Pajero in Calgary. The vehicle is hard to start in the cold. I have put two heaters on it (a lower rad hose heater and and oil pan heater) and it still take a lot of cranking to get it going and when it does start is is really rough for the first 15 to 30 seconds or so. No issues at all once it is warm. I had the glow plugs swapped and it got a little better but is still an issue.

Recommendations for a mechanic?

Thanks

[mararmeisto]

Did you check the glow plug relay? Good plugs isn't going to mean a gorram thing if the relay isn't switching them on.

[geaddict]

Where would I locate this relay? How can I test it? Another thing I noticed is that the glow plug indicated on the guage comes on and goes out within about 3 or 4 seconds. Is that normal?

Thanks,

Geaddict

[mararmeisto]

Where would I locate this relay? How can I test it? Another thing I noticed is that the glow plug indicated on the guage comes on and goes out within about 3 or 4 seconds. Is that normal?

Thanks,

Geaddict

Follow the glow plug wire back to the cylindrical thingy bolted behind the engine bay fuse panel. There will be two threaded posts on top, and a square plastic plug on the side. This is where the "click" comes from when the glow circuit is working correctly.

As for the indicator on the dash, I really can't comment on how that is supposed to work. Mine has never done anything other than flash for less than a second, and my relay always cuts out after no more than 4 seconds. Personally, I don't like the glow system in the Pajero (compared to my ol' Delica) - it just doesn't seem to be as effective. It's a good thing we don't really get a winter here in Lotusland.

[geaddict]

I tested the relay (I prefer to call this a solenoid) and it was defective for sure. It would kick in and out with the timers but not pass the current to the output side. I contacted several distributors to locate a replacement and everyone was so concerned that I needed to find the exact replacement and of course no one had one in stock. I tracked down a likely used one but did not order it immediately.

I began to think on this as I don't know much about diesels and less about the Pajero but from my experience with gas powered vehicles over the years I knew that the solenoid was not the current limiting device in the circuit. It was usually the end device that was being powered up or in a lot of cases the wiring itself was designed to limit the amount of current by using a smaller diameter wire. I was not sure but I believed that the glow plug itself was designed only to draw so many amps as it is simply a big resistor. That being said it seemed to me that *any* quality solenoid designed to handle the maximum current capable on this circuit should suffice. As the fusible link at the battery is 80 amps anything rated at that or above was what I required. I wanted to make it easy on myself and find a new product readily available and rated higher than the minimum requirements for long life and also a direct bolt in replacement (no wire mods or drilling to make new holes).

I found exactly what I was looking for at the garden tractor dealer. An MTD replacement part number 725-1426A bolted in perfectly and is rated at 100 amps. Total cost $15.52 including tax in Calgary at Brother's Two Small Engines. Make sure to get 2 - 1/4" nuts as well as you cannot use the ones from the original solenoid as they are metric. Easy to get and a better price than any dealer!

Timer works perfectly. You can hear it click on and and then off after a short while. Fires right up now and is smooth and clean.

Hope this helps someone else out.

Geaddict