Glow plug indicator not heating up - why?

orange1 · Mar 15, 2005

I have a Kubota B7200. Prior to today, the glow plug indicator would heat up and the tractor would start right up. Now, I turn the key to the left, wait up to a minute, and no heat, the tractor did not want to start. It finally started. I shut it down, let it sit and tried it again - still would not heat up. What could be causing this?

PineRidge · Mar 15, 2005

A blown fuse, broken wire, or a bad relay would be my first guess. But with a schematic and a VOM you could trace out the problem.

jpr62902 · Mar 16, 2005

It could be as simple as a disconnected wire. I had this happen to my BX22 and just fixed it. Pic attached. The wire was supposed to be attached to the threaded post you see without a nut on it. Engine vibration must have loosened it and presto. No more glow plugs.

SkyPup · Mar 16, 2005

Glow plugs are consumable items, could be one or more have worn out. You could diagnose this with an amp meter to see if any current is being applied to the glow plug, if it is dysfunctional it will not have any current draw.

Kiohio · Mar 17, 2005

I'm not real familiar with that model. Does it have the light or the coil that starts to glow cherry-red as it heats? If it is the first style if it isn't a wire it may be the timer or relay. If it is the other style and the indicator doesn't do anything, it could be the indicator itself. If the indicator is bad on the tractor the glow plugs don't get any juice. From the wording of your post I would say you have a bad indicator. It sounds like it is the second type also.

KO

orange1 · Mar 17, 2005

Thanks for the advice Kiohio. It has the second type you described with the coil that turns red. The weather here has been all rain the past couple of days. I will check it when the rain stops and I can take the tarp off the tractor - I am in the process of putting up a 24' X 40' storage shed for the tractor and equipment.