gc2310 dash lights & glow plugs

[DaveCQE]

I put in a new battery two years ago.

 

[irvingj]

Dave, something doesn't sound right…. I may not be that far from you-- I'm about 6 miles from the I-89/I-91 interchange. If you'd like, PM me and we could swap info. Who are you dealing with for your repairs?

My 2007 2310 is STILL on its original battery, and still starts well, though I do use the block heater (and a low-wattage transmission heater) when it's as cold as it has been. Mine still starts pretty darned well.

Have you personally checked the glow plugs for continuity?

irivngj

 

[m4co]

As irving stated I would most definitely check for 12 volts at the glow plugs. I have a 2007 GC and we found yesterday that the switch was bad and not powering the glow plugs. While we were trouble shooting our issue I did not notice a RELAY in the schematics for glow plugs. Again, our GC is a 2007 so your 2006 could have a relay.

M4CO

 

[DaveCQE]

I put a new battery in a couple of years ago. I am now in the habit of using jumper cables each time I try to start just to be sure I dont run the battery too low.

 

[DaveCQE]

Thanks irvingj! I have not checked the glow plugs for continuity, how is that done? I will check for 12volts at the glow plugs, but voltage doesnt say anything for the available current.

This summer I will be running power out to the shed and adding a block heater, I know that will help. I dont remember having troubles starting last year, not sure if this year is colder than last.

 

[irvingj]

Dave, as others said, first check to see if you're getting 12V at the glow plug harness when the key's turned to the left -probably it'll take two people to do this.

If that checks out, then disconnect each plug (I think they're all connected to a steel strip) and check each one with your meter set on "OHMS" and check for resistance. If the meter reads infinite, the plug is open (no good); you should get some sort of resistance reading, though I'm not sure what that should be; basically, if you get anything, it should be good. You may also have a beeper on your meter, for use in continuity testing. That would work as well (you should get a beep if the circuit's good).

I'd have to agree with others that --most likely-- the glow plugs are OK and the problem's with the key switch. Also, don't forget to take a look at the ground strap; it's stranded wire, and if many of the strands are broken, it will severely restrict the amperage that can be delivered to both the starter and the glow plugs. There have been a number of broken grounds on GCs about our tractors' ages-- the straps they used were a tad short, and broke internally due to normal diesel vibration. Seems like after 2007, they used a longer strap.

Hope this helps. irvingj

 

[DaveCQE]

I decided to put an indicator light showing if power is getting to the glow plugs, it works fine. One interesting observation, while the tractor is turning over the indicator light lit, indicating that the glow plugs are also energized during cranking over. Thanks for all the advice!