300 TDI starting issue glowplug timer?

**DiscoNZ** · 4th March 2012, 07:39 PM

Hi,
We have a 300 TDI Discovery, 5 speed that for various reasons has sat unused in the garage for 4.5 years. Today we have reinstalled the timing belt and attempted to start it.
It is getting fuel to the injectors but won't start cranking it over on the starter. We have diagnosed that at the glowplug wire that there is no power. The glow plug timer relay clicks when the key is turned to the on position but there is no power out at the yellow/ black wire when 'on' is selected. There is permanent power to the Brown wire that goes in to the relay. I am going to take the relay to the auto electricians tomorrow to have it checked. But does it sound like the relay is the fault here?
The vehicle does have a factory alarm system (94 base model) does this have an Immobiliser that may be a factor?
The timing cover, vbelts, intercooler and radiator etc are all in place.

Cheers
Nick

**justinc** · 4th March 2012, 07:54 PM

Nick, sounds like there is possibly no power to the injector pump solenoid,as this could also be the cause of the lack of glow timer activtion they are on the same fuse.

JC

**DiscoNZ** · 5th March 2012, 04:57 PM

Cheers for the response, I have cracked each injector at the motor and there is diesel getting to each one. Would this be the case if the pump solenoid wasn't working either?
Thought I'd try posting a youtube video of what's happening if that helps
Glow plug 300Tdi Discovery.avi - YouTube

**DiscoNZ** · 7th March 2012, 01:18 PM

Got a new glow relay and have the same symptoms. Will attack with multimeter and wiring diagram this evening. Need to look at this Injector solenoid jc suggested.

**DiscoNZ** · 7th March 2012, 07:03 PM

I pulled the glow plugs, cleaned up the wiring and reinstalled, still no volts at the glow plugs. Then, had a thought about an issue one of the 4x4 club members had with his safari (patrol) so I pulled the earth strap and other connectors off and cleaned then reinstalled them. I now have 10.3 Volts at the glow plug. Tried turning it over again but battery is a bit too flat so will see what happens tomorrow after a charge...

**DiscoNZ** · 9th March 2012, 06:17 PM

Back at square one.. Picked up a new set of glow plugs and it's the same as my video again. Very frustrating.

**slug_burner** · 9th March 2012, 06:29 PM

Unless you are using your glow plug as a convenient point to monitor voltage I would not worry too much about getting new glow plugs etc. In a moderate climate the 300 Tdi will fire without having to glow it. Id be checking that you placed the timing belt back on to retain the correct timing. Wrong timing will make it harder to start.

**Jojo** · 9th March 2012, 06:41 PM

Exactly that! Glow plugs are hardly needed. Check the timing and compression! Take out the injectors and check that they work, not only fuel coming to them.

DiscoMick · 21st March 2012, 02:59 PM

I've just had the same problem - it would start but as soon as you accelerated it stalled.
It turned out to be the power lead to the solenoid on the injection pump had cracked on the inside and there was only one strand actually connected. The garage replaced the wire and all is well.
It was a frustrating problem because from the outside the wire looked fine. So you might try replacing the wire and see if that makes a difference. Could be a cheap solution.

**Blknight.aus** · 21st March 2012, 04:36 PM

or it could be low on compression/cranking speed.

how fast is it cranking over? if its cranking over quickly pull the glow plugs, put a teaspoon of oil into each pot wind the engine over 2 full turns with the plugs out, put the plugs in and crank it again.

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