glow plugs problem?

jake98 · Sep 23, 2008

My CK25 got way harder to start lately. Anybody hear of glow plug issues? I was wondering if there's a simple ohmmeter test or something... thanks, jake

wallace · Sep 23, 2008

How many hours do you have on it.
The quickest way to tell if you are having glow plug issues is while you are cranking it is it puffing alot of white smoke out?
One other thing to check for a hard starting issue, check your fuel bowl if you have a crack in it you will be sucking air and it will make it harder to start.

jake98 · Sep 23, 2008

Hey Rick,
Yea, there's lots of white smoke comming out. It's got 106 hrs on it.

wallace · Sep 23, 2008

Take a test light or ohm meter and check to see if you are getting power across the glow plugs
If you not getting the power check the relay
If you are getting power than disconnect the lead to the glow plug and test it with your meter if you are getting an ol open load then they are bad if you get any reading they should be good.
If you are still in warranty period call your dealer.
I am not sure of the price off the top of my head but I know some glow plugs are very expensive.

dilbertnomore · Sep 27, 2008

Jake, take a look at your ignition switch. The switch is easily removed by using a channel lock pliers to unscrew the chrome cap surrounding the key end, fishing it out the bottom of the console and releasing the electrical connection. Unscrew the small philips head screw at the wire end of the switch. The metal cap pulls off easily. The white plastic cap unsnaps with a gentle pull and exposes a copper contact disk and a spring. Remember how the parts align. You likely will find some corrosion on the bottom of the copper disk and the copper contacts on the wire end of the switch. Once rid of the corrosion protect all copper surfaces with a little grease and reassemble. May very well do the trick and save you ~$50 for a new switch for a 20-minute investment of your time.

Or perhaps your glow plugs have crapped out.

jake98 · Sep 28, 2008

Thanks Dilbertnomore, I may take a look at that. I'm still in warantee time so I have to decide if I should let the dealer do it. I was waiting to see if it was an isolated incident, but it happened again, so I guess it's official. 2nd breakdown in less than a year of easy usage... Jake

and Welcome to TBN. why only 2 posts since 2005?