Glow plug advice
- Thread starter Luath
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bigbull338
Elite Member
well with your super cold temps you can wait 2 or 3 days for it to warm up.or talk to your dealer and get his thoughts on why it wont crank.but it could be just to cold to crank it without an engine heater.
GManBart
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- Detroit, Michigan
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
Are you just trying to get it started now, or fix the glow plug issue? Did it turn over when you tried starting it? If so, did it turn over normally considering how cold it is? Do the other instrument panel lights come on when you turn on the key?
If you're trying to get it started, you'll want to fully charge the battery as a first step. Assuming you can't pull/push it into a heated garage, or similar, you'll have to come up with a way to heat the engine. Find a way to get a tarp or even a blanket to seal heat in, and keep cold/wind out, a torpedo heater or anything similar should be able to warm it up enough that after 30-60 minutes it should start. If you don't have anything like that, you can try using a heat gun, or even a hair dryer to put direct heat on the engine....might take a while. I've heard of people putting a heat gun up to the exhaust pipe and sending hot air into the head that way. I would make sure to direct heat gun/hair dryer air at the oil pan as well since thick oil really hurts cold cranking.
If you haven't done so, I'd switch to synthetic oil before next winter.
GManBart
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- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
He never said it wouldn't crank.
SG51Buss
Member
I know nothing about Kubotas, but I wonder if yours uses the mysterious temperature sender line to override the glow plug timer, and that line may be powered, preventing the timer from actuating the glow plug relay (and indicator light).
Some reference in here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/330587-glow-plug-timer-control-units.html
Some reference in here:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/330587-glow-plug-timer-control-units.html
Last edited:
GManBart
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- Detroit, Michigan
- Tractor
- Massey Ferguson 241, Kubota SVL90-2
If the glow plug light came on after an hour of heating, it sounds like there is still a problem that needs to be fixed.
powerscol
Veteran Member
Most likely a relay or sensor. Get out your manual and track the relay down. If you happen to have two of the same relays on the unit you can temporarily swap them and see if the light comes on correctly. Sometimes relays can also be cleaned. Pull the relay and pop the cover off and looked for burned contacts - clean them up and put back in service.
My old Ford used to do this from time to time and I kept a jumper wire to jump across the glow plug relay to get things to start.
My old Ford used to do this from time to time and I kept a jumper wire to jump across the glow plug relay to get things to start.
Jay4200
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- Hudson/Weare, NH
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- L4200GST w/ LA680 & BX2200D w/ LA211
Your glow plug controller module died - having the plugs AND indicator not light up indicates the controller. It is under the dashboard. My L4200 did the same thing the first year I used it for winter maintenance (figures).
I ended up pulling the controller out of its socket, and bypassed the function by wiring in a big button on the dash, so I now can manually actuate the glow plugs (and indicator light), which I like better. To restore normal function to your tractor, your best bet is to simply buy a new controller from Kubota and replace it. Wiring and parts diagrams attached.
Edit: Just saw your 'got it started' post. Your controller could be flaky at extreme cold temps, but more than likely a connector issue. There is a thermistor in the coolant that gates the controller as a temp sensor - a connector to it could be a problem or possibly the connect to the module itself. Pulling the dash is a PITA, but if it happens again, I'd get into the controller and at the very least unplug and re-plug it (w/ a bit of dielectric grease) - same with the coolant temp sensor. Also why I bypassed the function with a button.
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daveinnh
Gold Member
I agree with Jay; it's likely the glow plug controller. Mine stayed on and killed the battery before I read posts here. I replaced it, but be aware it awfully tight beneath the dashboard. I like Jay's idea to bypass it manually or at least re-wire so you can get to it easier next time.
