Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

panda

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Subject:

Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 08.10.2018 · #1

Hi Folks - On the way home from The Craic meet yesterday noticed the glow plug warning lamp flickering on and off....It would stay off for periods but then start flickering again. Also noticed a clicking/arcing type sound coming from battery area of engine bay. My van is a 1999 Fiat Ducato 2.8 idtd. Apart from light flickering and what sounds like relay clicking the van drives as normal without any problem. Anyone have this issue before and know how I fix it?

Cheers

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JJF

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 08.10.2018 · #2

Something kicking in and out causing the glow plug relay to be energized.
Could be a few things.
Short to ground bringing in and out the relay.
Water in the relay itself, or the relay may be faulty.
Not sure about the 2.8, but I think the glow plugs may also have a temp control feed to the relay (heater plugs don’t be powered as long on a hot start) so the possibility of a temp sensor fault too.
I don’t think that the1999 model had any emissions control causing the plugs to be used for emission control purposes so sort of rule that one out.
An intermittent fault is a pain to find, If I was fault finding that one I’d fit a bulb actoss the plugs and establish if they’re being energized when the glow lamp is illuminating on the dash...... that then tells you that the relay is being engaged and start fault finding from there.
A good auto-electrician should find it but as I said, an intermittent fault can be a real pain to sort.

panda

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 08.10.2018 · #3

Quote by JJF

Something kicking in and out causing the glow plug relay to be energized.
Could be a few things.
Short to ground bringing in and out the relay.
Water in the relay itself, or the relay may be faulty.
Not sure about the 2.8, but I think the glow plugs may also have a temp control feed to the relay (heater plugs don’t be powered as long on a hot start) so the possibility of a temp sensor fault too.
I don’t think that the1999 model had any emissions control causing the plugs to be used for emission control purposes so sort of rule that one out.
An intermittency fault is a pain to find, If I was fault finding that one I’d fit a bulb actoss the plugs and establish if they’re being energized when the glow lamp is illuminating on the dash...... that then tells you that the relay is being engaged and start fault finding from there.
A good auto-electrician should find it but as I said, an intermittent fault can be a real pain to sort.

Super reply Jon....Will follow your advice and get auto electrician on it...Cheers

moonstone60

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 06.03.2021 · #4

hi,
I have remembered seeing this from ages ago from "panda so looked around to find it, i have the same thing on my 98 model and have like you had no luck finding a replacement.
all i ask is, did you fix yours in the end and how.
would be very much appreiceated

panda

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 06.03.2021 · #5

Quote by moonstone60

Hi moonstone...

I ended up buying a new relay kit from a guy in Germany on ebay. It's basically a relay with wires attached and replaces the old unit which was at fault. Works a treat and has been faultless since.

I will try and dig out link later. You can also buy used original units on ebay also which you may prefer.

panda

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 07.03.2021 · #6

forum/topic.php?p=184649#real184649

https://www.ebay.ie/itm/Glow-P…SwNJFf-Do3

Gavster

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 07.03.2021 · #7

I had the same problem with my 98 Ducato and got a new relay from eBay but it still does it now and again. Was always more likely to do it with a lot of electrical power being used e.g wipers, headlights, heater fan in the cab area.

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mad max

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Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 07.03.2021 · #8

Take the earth strap off the battery and starter and clean both,
Re assemble and see if that cures the light,

I had a problem recently and after talking to my auto electrician the problem.was the earth strap,

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moonstone60

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Subject:

still not sorted

· Posted: 08.03.2021 · #9

Me again, bit thick so bear with me, I still have the dreaded flickering glow plug light, was I right the link provided was for the black relay box? Well it seems mine is the hig box on back of bulkhead battery side, have attached picture, can it be changed?

panda

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 08.03.2021 · #10

Quote by moonstone60

Yes...it can be changed . I installed one on my previous camper and has been faultless since. If you are interested I have a used genuine Ducati box I also purchased on ebay but never fitted it as the relay kit worked perfectly. I gave 80 euro but can offer it for 50 if you want it.

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moonstone60

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Subject:

glow plug light

· Posted: 14.03.2021 · #11

Hi panda, thanks for that, it is not that box though, it is a bigger boxon left side of engine bay (battery side) but at back fixed on the bulkhead, it about 5" long by 2"square with wires coming out of the bottom.
Shows how little I know but a friend just told me i dont have glows plugs as such, it is a manifold flame heater glow plug if that makes sence, is/does it all work the same?
Thanks

panda

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Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 14.03.2021 · #12

No problem moonstone....but I think you will find this is the box...you are used to looking at it from a different angle. It fits up on the bulked on battery side and the wires screw in from underneath to the pin connector.....it is the glow plug relay box for the Ducati 230 model. Its here anyway if you want it

panda

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Subject:

Re: Flickering Glow Plug Warning Light

· Posted: 14.03.2021 · #13

This is the view you would see when fitted.....about 5 inch wide and 2 inch tall approx

At the time I rang fiat dealer who said these units new are no longer available....so I bought a used unit.

If you find it is the box...you are welcome to try it first to make sure it fits and works correctly.

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