Glow Plugs

[3930dave]

Well...I went out to plow the 8-10 inches of snow this morning and the glowplugs didn't come on. It still started after extra cranking, luckily it was 34 F. out. I guess I'm going to have to call the dealer on Monday. I'm pretty disappointed considering I just sent them a check for over $800. I'm hoping to not have to pay transportation costs this time. Actually I'm thinking of trying to just get away with paying only for parts they put on it and hope they comp the labor. We'll see, I'm glad it started this morning or we'd be stuck on the property until I got it running.

The dealer should help you out, $ wise. These things can happen though..... sometimes if a problem has been sitting for a while, secondary faults (ex. tired relay) can show up after the primary problem is fixed. Other than the obvious ($$$), this is sometimes why a shop will quote replacing everything in a control path.

Did you check the fuse ? Sometimes a old tired fuse will give up, once things are back to normal.

Rgds, D.

 

[NoTrespassing]

The dealer should help you out, $ wise. These things can happen though..... sometimes if a problem has been sitting for a while, secondary faults (ex. tired relay) can show up after the primary problem is fixed. Other than the obvious ($$$), this is sometimes why a shop will quote replacing everything in a control path.

Did you check the fuse ? Sometimes a old tired fuse will give up, once things are back to normal.

Rgds, D.

Since they told me that fuse controls the fuel shutoff in addition to the glowplugs, I can only assume the fuse is good since the fuel shutoff is still working. I will check it before I call though.

 

[3930dave]

Since they told me that fuse controls the fuel shutoff in addition to the glowplugs, I can only assume the fuse is good since the fuel shutoff is still working. I will check it before I call though.

Sounds like a safe assumption, but won't hurt to check. Good luck.

Rgds, D.

 

[k0ua]

No-Ox-Id. Its made by Sanchem. It was shipped with stationary telecom batteries to coat the terminals. I have been using it to coat electrical terminals for decades. It works as its name suggests.

James K0UA

 

[NoTrespassing]

Yesterday I had called the phone number of the guy that worked on my tractor but didn't get an answer. Since it was Saturday I didn't leave a message and just thought I'd wait until Monday to call them. Well, my phone rings this morning (Sunday) and it's the technician wondering what I needed the day before. I told him the glow plugs stopped working again. He asked if I could check if I was getting voltage to the glow plugs with a meter and explained how to do it.

I went out to do what he asked and when I turned on the key the glow plug indicator came on just like it's supposed to so no reason to do the check, they were working fine this time. I tried to start the tractor and it didn't turn over. I checked the neutral safety switch and it was fine. I called the tech back and explained the plugs were working but no power to the starter for some reason.

He asked me to jump the starter which is easier said than done for me but I went out to try. I was having a heck of a time and I called him back for more advice. He said he was on his way to my place. (on a Sunday morning!) To make a long story short, he chased the problem and it turned out to be the pto lever had been bumped when I was plowing yesterday and the safety switch was stopping the voltage to the starter. The glow plugs were still working everytime we turned the key. It's running and he didn't charge me anything for a Sunday service call, he just said Merry Christmas! I thanked him profusely! Hopefully the glow plug circuit will continue to work.

 

[3930dave]

No-Ox-Id. Its made by Sanchem. It was shipped with stationary telecom batteries to coat the terminals. I have been using it to coat electrical terminals for decades. It works as its name suggests.

James K0UA

Thanks - I remember you posting about this before, but couldn't recall the name.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Yesterday I had called the phone number of the guy that worked on my tractor but didn't get an answer. Since it was Saturday I didn't leave a message and just thought I'd wait until Monday to call them. Well, my phone rings this morning (Sunday) and it's the technician wondering what I needed the day before. I told him the glow plugs stopped working again. He asked if I could check if I was getting voltage to the glow plugs with a meter and explained how to do it.

I went out to do what he asked and when I turned on the key the glow plug indicator came on just like it's supposed to so no reason to do the check, they were working fine this time. I tried to start the tractor and it didn't turn over. I checked the neutral safety switch and it was fine. I called the tech back and explained the plugs were working but no power to the starter for some reason.

He asked me to jump the starter which is easier said than done for me but I went out to try. I was having a heck of a time and I called him back for more advice. He said he was on his way to my place. (on a Sunday morning!) To make a long story short, he chased the problem and it turned out to be the pto lever had been bumped when I was plowing yesterday and the safety switch was stopping the voltage to the starter. The glow plugs were still working everytime we turned the key. It's running and he didn't charge me anything for a Sunday service call, he just said Merry Christmas! I thanked him profusely! Hopefully the glow plug circuit will continue to work.

In any era (but esp. today), that would be considered going well above and beyond what is expected.

Glad to hear that you are back to 100% capability.

The tech's goal was to make your tractor right, but he has obviously created some great local goodwill as well. I'd make sure his boss knows what an outstanding employee they have.

Rgds, D.

 

[sandyc]

Sometimes a small tip will work wonders. Just saying!

 

[kevincook]

I had to have a controller replaced a couple of months ago because my glow plugs where mis-behaving. The glow plugs would actually come on and off while I was running the tractor. This was intermittent and I had ignored it since last winter. Anyway, the mechanic told me this was a common problem and was less than $100 to fix. I have an L3010 and I'm guessing your machine is very similar.

Kevin

 

[NoTrespassing]

Glow plugs are coming on less and less. They don't come on now until the temp. is almost down to 20 F. I ordered a glow plug module from Messicks that should be here Monday for under $30 plus s&h. I several concerns though; did I buy the right one? Can I find where it mounts? Will it fix my problem? Time will tell.

Kevin

 

[k0ua]

Glow plugs are coming on less and less. They don't come on now until the temp. is almost down to 20 F. I ordered a glow plug module from Messicks that should be here Monday for under $30 plus s&h. I several concerns though; did I buy the right one? Can I find where it mounts? Will it fix my problem? Time will tell.

Kevin

Kevin, is it the module or the temperature sensor in the water jacket.?

 

[NoTrespassing]

Kevin, is it the module or the temperature sensor in the water jacket.?

The item I purchased is a Kubota 16415-65600 RELAY, GLOW PLUG.

I think it's up under the dash area. I have no idea if it's going to help my problem or not but it's an inexpensive place to start that I think I can handle myself.

I'm not familiar with the part you're talking about. Maybe you can elaborate?

Kevin

 

[NoTrespassing]

Ok, I found 2 temp. sensors on the schematic. I don't know if either one or both have anything to do with controlling the glow plugs. If the weather ever warms up I'll install the module I bought and get a better idea of what I'm dealing with.

Kevin

 

[k0ua]

Ok, I found 2 temp. sensors on the schematic. I don't know if either one or both have anything to do with controlling the glow plugs. If the weather ever warms up I'll install the module I bought and get a better idea of what I'm dealing with.

Kevin

Kevin I don't have a schematic or theory of operation for your machine, but on my Kioti, it operates this way. There is a temperature sensor in the water jacket to take a reading of temp. An electronic module reads that sensor and decides to pull up the coil of a 70 amp glow plug relay. There is a timer in the module that controls the relay and a glow plug lamp on the instrument panel. When it times out the operator starts the engine, and the module again starts a 15 second timer to pull up the glow plug relay to re heat the plugs, the idea being that the glow plugs will smooth out the cold engine for a few seconds until the cylinders warm up. In warm weather or after a recent shutdown of the engine and a re-start, the glow plugs are not needed and the glow plug warning light will not illuminate, and the operator knows not to wait to restart/start the engine as the engine is warm enough already. Also no "post glow" is needed either. Perhaps your machine operates in a similar fashion?

 

[JRL305]

I think I remember reading on another post that the Kubota glow plug relay is only 40 amps and the glow plugs draw 60. I don't remember what model it was though. Maybe that new relay will clear things up.

 

[KennyV]

You are Most likely needing a "Glow Plug Controller"... The relay generally Never goes bad, and when it is bad it never works... The controller is under the dash, costs around $70 ... I have posted the schematics for the system several times... If you search 'intermittent glow plugs' you will find many posts about it... Here is just one of many: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/134518-glow-plug-wiring-help-needed.html KennyV

 

[NoTrespassing]

You are Most likely needing a "Glow Plug Controller"... The relay generally Never goes bad, and when it is bad it never works... The controller is under the dash, costs around $70 ... I have posted the schematics for the system several times... If you search 'intermittent glow plugs' you will find many posts about it... Here is just one of many: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/134518-glow-plug-wiring-help-needed.html KennyV

Thanks Kenny, I finally got around to replacing the components on my Kubota this weekend before the snow starts to fly. I took your advice and replaced the controller along with the relay. I didn't bother to find out which one was bad since I had both on hand. The glow plugs are working correctly now and I fixed my rear work lights while I was at it. All I need to do now is throw on the chains and blade.

Kevin