When I went to start my van today I was unable to get power. Initially I engaged the glow plugs four times. The glow plugs heat, then the relay chatters. When I turned the key to start there was a pop and the power dropped (eg. Dome lights off, no 12v accessory, battery meter shows no V). Returning …

It sounds like a short circuit at the glow plugs possibly a bad glow plug regardless how new. Is it necessary to repeatedly operate the glow plugs?

12 volts measured across the battery terminals (with everything off) is too low, for a fully charged battery at temps above 40 degrees F. It should measure closer to 12.6 volts. I think you may need a new battery. Suggest you first clean and tighten the connections, and if that doesn’t solve it,…

I truncated. It was 12.2. I imagine the drop was from the glow plugs, but I will check this. I did not mention checking the terminal comnections in the original post. They were secure. The op has been updated. Thank you for your reply.

I assumed you had 2 batteries on the truck. Is that correct?

We had 2 batteries and then also a 2nd car jumping Edit: Initially the van would start off of one oversize battery. The current primary batyery is <1yr old. The van is an ambulance. The location for the second battery was used for additional electronics for the lighting, and an external voltage re…

It has been necessary to repeatedly engage the glow plugs. Averagely 3 times. The WTS will glow no longer than 12 seconds and then a relay begins to chatter. Reading from the 12v accessory V drops to about 9 under gp load then jumps to 11.8 during chatter. Disengaging will usually show approx 12.2.

When a relay chatters, that’s often an indication of low voltage. Battery voltage is enough the relay’s contacts close, battery voltage drops, which causes the relay’s contacts to open, which raises battery voltage … etc etc etc … and you hear the resulting buzzing noise.

A 2nd vehicle was used to maintain a steady voltage. This was after i could no longer engage the glow plugs, and did not effect the symptoms. The relay chatter has always occured. Is it possible the relay itself may be failing or one of the devices directly conmected to it?

[image] revots: Is it possible the relay itself may be failing Yes, that’s possible, likewise it could be something that is powered by the relay.

Battery cables have two ends. Check the far ends, especially where the negative cable attaches to the engine block and any body grounds.

Diesel Loses Power When Glow Plugs Engage

Maintenance/Repairs

the_same_mountainbike January 24, 2018, 5:46pm 13

You may want to check not only the battery but the charging system. It may even be a mechanical problem with the alternator, like binding up of the alternator shaft putting too much mechanical load on the crankshaft.

Just a thought.

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Diesel Loses Power When Glow Plugs Engage

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