Hi Guys

Driving a 1.9jtd 3door, get a preheat fault on start up every time. Any advice??

Cheers

D

Do you wait for a full system check before starting?

Do you get the message before or after you start?

Sorry, should have made that more clear - this error appears when the ignition has been switched on and the checks have been done, before starting the engine.

Thanks

D

I get that message only very occasionally and starting is never a problem.

If it happens EVERY TIME then I'd be inclined to let the dealer check it as it may be a real issue.

BTW don’t let them tell you it’s water in the filter as that wasn’t the case for me.

Thats a new one on me, does it mean you have to stick your car in the microwave for 2mins before starting?

I've never had any problems starting the car but this error does appear every time. It's been recalled to have the airbags looked at so I'll mention this to them also.

Thanks

D

Sounds like a glowplug has gone wrong, or maybe a relay in the pre-heat circuit has broken.

activematt said:

Thats a new one on me, does it mean you have to stick your car in the microwave for 2mins before starting?

Click to expand...

LOL...
Diesel engines have glowplugs/preheaters where the spark plugs would be in a petrol engine, activated by a timer when the engine is cold. You can usually start without them but it may take more cranking.

-Alex

Just had my JTD looked at for this same fault. One of the glowplugs was faulty. It's been replaced and error light has gone away.........till the next one shows up !

He shoots... He scores!

Glow plugs can be a pain as they're well hidden. If you have the time and can be bothered. Remove the common positive rail across the plugs. Check each plug for continuety between the centre screw and a known good earth. If you find a dud one there is your problem. If there is nothing wrong with any try giving the common rail connections a good clean before re-fitting - preferably with some electrolitic (sp?) grease.

If you find a common preheat cable then you will be doing well. All the jtds have independent wiring for each glowplug direct from the relay, do a resistence check from the glowplug relay to earth along each cable, they are all different colours so its easy to trace each one, and identify it at the other end.

NumanR

Undermine all my work why don't you

Ok, so basically do the same as I said but from the relay, as he said

Thanks Guys!!

Now, what the hell does a glow plug look like?? And where in the engine bay would I find such a thing??

Cheers

D

might be best to take it to a garage

T14086 said:

might be best to take it to a garage

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

I don't think it would be right of me to try and talk you through over a forum. Too much scope for breaking something.

Surprisingly I agree with T on this. If you don't know what a glow plug is, you really should take to a garage for them to have a look at.

I appreciate the advice guys, I'm trying to learn more about the car as I'm keen to maintain it myself. I've followed some of the guides on here to remove the pollen filter, replace brake lights, cured my creaking suspension!!! I was hoping to have a crack at this too, but I guess it's too difficult for a novice like me??

Cheers

D

My JTD is my first diesel and I must admit I'm a bit confused by this thread.

I’ve changed hundreds of spark plugs in my time but is it the view that changing a glow plug is considerably more involved

From memory, when I changed them on my last diesel ('85 B Cav LD) it weren't much different to changing spark plugs... unless on the JTD they're better hidden. Glow plugs on the Cav were 'bout £6 odd a go and at what FIAT charge on fault finding would have assumed replacing the glowplugs to be a good starting point as a DIY fix... of course I stand to be corrected by a techy :worship:

I think the point being made was that if you don't know what a glow plug is (or the difference from a spark plug) then you probably don't know enough to change them. As they are quite fundemental in getting car diesel engines started.