Hi.
I have a 2.8 maxi, year 2000.
It starts on the button, but in this recent cold weather, it takes ages of turning to get it to fire.
I have tried heating the plugs a few times, but no difference.
I have checked loads of things, plugs,battery etc.
Someone told me to connect up a jump lead straight from +ve to the glow plug wiring line, and after about 7 seconds, I can disconnect and start the van on the button.
Has anyone electrically minded an idea of where I start to look for this problem as it would seem to me to be a problem with the starting/plug heating sequence.
By the way, the plug light goes out after about 9 seconds, but flashes for a minute or so afterwards.I have had this problem with several diesel vehicles but never affected the starting, so I have never paid much attention to it.

Paul

Hi.
If the van starts O.K when you run a direct feed to the glow plugs I would think either the wiring or more probably the glow plug relay is faulty.
Personally I would just buy a new relay and fit it myself; someone will probably be along soon that will tell you how to test the relay.

Hi.
Thanks for the reply.
Do you have any idea where this relay is situated?
I have nothing with the van but was wondering if it is one of the relays in the fuse area?
Paul

i have the same problem with my 200 2.8, the relays are in the dash just below the glove box but i have no idea which one it is. if the relay is not the problem it could be a tempereture sensor, from what i understand there is a temperature sensor that tells the relay how long to heat the glow plugs for.

Hi.
Thanks for the help everyone.
I am sure my problem is more likely the relay, as the heater light stays on for nearly 10 second, and would assume that it is trying to do it's job.
(but don't they say that assumption is the mother of all mess-ups,well, not exactly mess-ups but you know what I mean)
I am going to start a new thread to try and locate which relay it is, hope this helkps you out BBB.

Paul

Hi
No idea where the relay is but this may be of some help.
http://eper.fiatforum.com/eper/navi...OUNTRY=012&DRV=D&searchButton=Go!&KEY=STARTUP