1997 Ford Escort 1.8D Van.

[nedflanders]

Hi, I bought this little van about 6 weeks ago; it's in good nick, nice clean engine, motors along beautifully, but I'm sure there's something not right when it comes to starting, especially from cold. Frosty morning cold.
I consulted my local garage who said it was probably the heaters, so I whipped them out, brushed them up and tested them on a battery, and they glowed nice and bright, so I put them back.
Now here's what seems odd to me: I put a test meter onto the feed and got my wife to switch on, and found only about 9 volts coming in, gradually increasing, but still only about 10v by the time the relay clicks out, (after 9 secs). I got her to do it again, but this time to start the engine when the light went out: this time the power to the heaters stayed on much longer, during which time the voltage reached 12v. By then the engine was running.
The light stays on for 6 secs: the relay clicks out after 9 secs: voltage by then about 10 volts. Does anyone know if that's how it should be?
(I've replaced the heaters, though I don't think there was anything wrong with the old ones, but the weather's milder now so I don't know if there's any improvement. I have to say it always starts, but always sounds as though it might not.)

 

[davedasave]

whats the battery like? sounds like it might be on its last legs
put your meter across the terminals and get your wife to start it, if the volts drop below 6 volts replace the battery

 

[Belle427]

some glow plugs are rated at 9 volts which would make yours ok,i think the time they are on is controlled by the engine temp on your car but i would have to check on the data

 

[nedflanders]

Thanks guys,
I take your point about the battery, but I omitted to mention I'd had it checked.
ch427. Since reading your reply I've had a look at a Haynes manual, and you're right. Actually, these are 10v. I think one of the old ones was faulty as it glowed from the middle instead of the end (Haynes).
I've started going through the 'heating up' procedure 2 or 3 times before starting from cold, and there is a definite improvement now, though it's not anywhere near as cold at the moment, of course. We'll see, but I've got more confidence in it now.
Thanks a lot for your input; much appreciated.

 

[Belle427]

i used to have a td engined version,i would turn on the ignition and the glow plug light would usually go out within 5 seconds,most people would start it then but if you wait you can usually hear the glow plug relay click out,this is how i used to start mine and it fired up straight away 9 times out of 10

 

[^neo^]

i used to have a td engined version,i would turn on the ignition and the glow plug light would usually go out within 5 seconds,most people would start it then but if you wait you can usually hear the glow plug relay click out,this is how i used to start mine and it fired up straight away 9 times out of 10

Exactly the same with the one i had. Turn off the radio and wait for the click

 

[TicklyT]

Heater plugs draw quite a hefty current, so you may be losing three volts in the wiring loom and relay contacts etc. on it's way from the battery to the plugs.

The resistance of the plugs will increase as they heat up, so the current and voltage drop through the wiring decreases.

 

[MasterAbacus]

For the sake of 20 notes, just replace the glowplugs..... taking htem out and cleaning them if they are playing up is a quick cheap fix.... but 20 notes spent is something I always do on a diesel engined motor.... esp if i dont know the full history of the motor