starting - glow plugs

[thumper]

I have recently read a lot of 'bad starting' threads re 2.4 surfs. Some of which mine suffered from.

On buying mine i was told to wait until the glow plug lamp goes out before starting the engine - particularly when cold.

Which i did and found mine to be a bit lumpy and smokey first thing and I needed idle up on and had to be a bit hard on the gas.

Next visit to grease monkey and he tells me i should also wait for a further 'clunk' before starting.

Surf starts a little better but still need idle up and bit of gas - just a little bit lumpy still.

So on assuming its the glow plugs going i take it to grease monkey and he now informs me that there is another 'click' after the clunk - you still with me so far.

Apparently its "half current at the clunk and no current at the click on the cold starting circuit".

Anyway prior to going to the expense of having the glow plugs replaced - he now says i must wait for the click after the clunk when cold starting particularly first thing in the morning when its cold.

So its about 20secs at least before the circuit is closed.

Didint somebody once say clunk click every trip - well they must of had a surf.

I hope this is of some help to those people still experiencing starting problems - this may or may not help - but this is how we are supposed to start them, when cold to avoid damage to the plugs and starting circuit, otherwise you will need new plugs quicker than normal.

[rich]

The glow plugs have two stages to them that Toyota call "Lighting Time" and "After Glow time". Both are controlled by a Water Temperature sensor via the ECU (On ECU controlled engines e.g. 2LTE not 2LT) The lighting time is upto 5 seconds.
The after glow is for for cold running to give you better economy after the starting (I guess this is the half and full current that your monkey is talking about but I haven't heard that one before). This will run for upto 120 seconds but is not part of the starting cycle.

If it is still lumpy after the five seconds then you are likely to have a problem with one or more of the glow plugs.

If it starts OK after a prolonged time then they are likely to be working but on their way out. If it still runs rough then something aint right.

Rich.

[Sewerat]

The other day a similar question came up on http://www.yotasurf-online.co.uk/public/forums/showthread.php?t=7826 & Koi suggested a way to test the Glow Plugs.

Hope it helps

[Koi]

Originally Posted by rich

If it is still lumpy after the five seconds then you are likely to have a problem with one or more of the glow plugs.

If it starts OK after a prolonged time then they are likely to be working but on their way out. If it still runs rough then something aint right.

Rich.

Agreed if you need to wait this long then I would suggest something is wrong, plugs not working properly etc.

Both my 2.4 & 3.0, turn on ignition wait for light to go out and they fire up straight away. Replaced the plugs on my 2.4 last year and wow what a difference it was with new plugs.

[NiftyNev]

thumper

I have done some tests on the starting circut in my 2.4 and what your grease monkey says seems to be pretty accurate.Mine works fine and I was doing this to determine how the system works to help someone else with a problem with theirs.I usually start after the clunk and works fine for me.New plugs may be what you need.

Neville

[thumper]

i guess for the cost it makes good sense - especially if you notice a difference - ok new plugs it is - still its pretty good when your spanner tealks himself out of work at least hes not ripping me off.

for the record hes dave matthews of north view garage - bristol
he 'specialises' in jap imports, and he is very very reasonable - for all those people who need a spanner in or around bristle.

cheers for you help

[Grilla]

Originally Posted by thumper

i guess for the cost it makes good sense - especially if you notice a difference - ok new plugs it is - still its pretty good when your spanner tealks himself out of work at least hes not ripping me off.

for the record hes dave matthews of north view garage - bristol
he 'specialises' in jap imports, and he is very very reasonable - for all those people who need a spanner in or around bristle.

cheers for you help

.

I Have Just Purchased A Surf And Light Does Not Go Out.I Wait Till Buzzer Sounds That Tells Me Everything Is Ok And Turn Over Engine.It Always Starts First Time And Glow Plug Light Goes OutAs Soon As I Have Turned Over Engine. I Have Been Told This Is Ok But I Am Not Sure,What Do You Think

[UKWolf]

The light does not come on on mine - is this most likely a glow plug fault or is the lamp broken? Never had any problems starting.

[rich]

More likely to be the lamp if it starts OK.

R.

Originally Posted by UKWolf

The light does not come on on mine - is this most likely a glow plug fault or is the lamp broken? Never had any problems starting.

[UKWolf]

I thought / hoping this was the case - on that basis how many idiot lights (and what) are ment to appear when the ignition is switch on?

TA

Ali