glow plug by pass

[andante]

Morning all ive got a 1997 mk 1 berlingo van 1796cc diesel.
Im having trouble starting in a morning,its had 4 new glow plugs and ive also carried out the alteration to wiring in the excellent post by Rustcrat, so i now assume its the relay and because Im a Yorkshire man and pre disposed to being tight i want to by pass the circuitry and put the glow plugs on a manual switch in the cab.
Can any of you clever people tell me how to do it,or point me in the direction of a thread on here
many thanks in anticipation

[Tomcat3]

Have you looked at the threads about tight exhaust valves and high mileage (over 100,000) this could be your problem.

[geoff]

.... its had 4 new glow plugs

..... so i now assume its the relay

.... Im a Yorkshire man and pre disposed to being tight.....

..... i want to by pass the circuitry and put the glow plugs on a manual switch in the cab.

I'd be looking to test the circuit and relay with a meter before going any further to prevent any further unnecessary expenditure and to find out exactly what the problem is.

Otherwise ......

If you want crude and virtually cost free just run a single cable from battery to glow plugs via the cab, cut and bare the ends then twist together to start the engine when required.

A switch would be better, you could go overboard with a starter motor push button switch ( Ebay 310787062430 ) or use for example a domestic shower pull cord switch - 45 amps -or maybe buy a pint for an industrial electrician mate of yours as he will surely have something suitable.

You could of course be the ultimate tight wad and wait for the summer :whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle:

[andante]

HaHa cheers geoff,
so how do i test the relay and circuit,
ive got a basic meter

[geoff]

HaHa cheers geoff,
so how do i test the relay and circuit,
ive got a basic meter

You need to see if there is voltage coming out of the relay and getting to the glow plugs, set to 12 VDC and apply probes to relay output and earth. If no output then it is either the coil has failed or the output contacts failed but either way you'd need a new relay.
( If you were interested enough to know exactly what had failed then set your meter to ohms and see if you have coil continuity, yes means coil output contacts caput, no means coil caput ).
If you have voltage then do a check for 12VDC at each glow plug in case of a bad connection / crimped joint.

Good luck with your vehicle alut:

[Tomcat3]

Have a read of this
http://www.berlingoforum.co.uk/showthread.php?tid=8291
It may help.

[andante]

Hi all,
thanks for the in put.
Ive had the meter on the relay, ive got continuity on the positive terminal and nothing on the negative, tried volts but the meter batterry went.
ive got a relay coming sometime next week will keep you informed,.

[andante]

HAHAHA SOLVED SOLVED SOLVED!!!!
After a load of frustration, glowplugs, glow plug relay all it turned out to be was the TWATTING battery but it now starts as the ignition key comes out of my pocket.
Thanks to everyone for their very sound advice