glow plug help needed

[fish]

i have a hilux and a while back the dash lights all went dark and with it i suspect the glow plugs stopped working. its hard to start and if its cold i just wont. it turns over and smokes out the exhaust but wont pop. i can get it running with a jump and then it runs fine all day while it warm. the dash lights have come on once or twice since but dont stay long.
if there is any auto electricians in hamilton i have a box of beer for a diagnosis on it!

[nizute]

Do you have a test light ? if not pick one up from repco. test the glow plugs are getting power with the test light.

The plugs only are active for about 10s at start up so put the earth lead of the light to the battery earth and the tip if the light to the nut on the glow plug rail, get some one to turn your key on and the test light should glow for the lenght of time the light is on the dash.

If you have power to the glow plugs then they might be dead, if you want to replace them get it running and get the engine hot then remove the plugs, to test the plugs once out put a earth to the body of the plug(threaded part)then power to the threaded end with the lil nut they should glow at the tip.

If no power at plug rail check fuses with test light.

[fish]

yep i have a light, just came in from the shed to read this after i had done some poking around, i have no light for the plugs on the dash as all the lights except the batt have stoped working. i tested the relay by bypassing it with the test light and it was getting power then i tested it in the circuit and it didnt light up when i turned the key. i just clicked.
i think this could be the fault. ? its the one on the pasenger side not in the fuse box. its bolted above the wheel arch next to the starter relay. what ya recon?

[nizute]

i would check for power at the glow rail regardless of the dash light then check fuses they normally go before the relay , try swapping the relay with the starter relay if its the same, tho the fact the lights have come on a couple of times sort of looks like a loose connection behind the dash.

[fish]

yup i did that and bingo, plugs were getting power so i put new ones in and it fires up quick as now. thanks.
while i was at it i gave it a service and a clean up. its a work ute and i cant remember the last time it was cleaned out, i found 15 dollars in coins and 13 pens ahaha
ive searched high and low for the fault for all the warning lights and temp gauge. it must be as you say, a loose conection somewhere.
really dont want to have to go behind the dash tho.

[nizute]

ha ha sweet ,always check under seats
i wouldn't bother looking behind the dash, you can get cheap water temp gauges on trademe for about $30-40

[fish]

yea but its all the lights
, hand break, glows, indicators, all except the battery light. weird huh

[ChurchurDan]

Check all you fuses down in the drivers kick panel the dash fuse is in there. Also check the earth from the battery to the body they do weird things with that broken.

[fish]

yup all fuses are good, im out of ideas haha