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Soulrider911



Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 105

United States 1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White
Glow plug not igniting on key on
Hey friends. So my 89 defender has always had a hard time starting and I finally had a tech look at it and they said the glow plug is not igniting in key on. The glow plug ignites on ignition / starter position?? So tons of un burned has is ending up in the chamber because the glow plug is only turning on when the key is in the starter position

Any ideas would be super helpful. 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning
Post #966830 5th Oct 2022 11:53pm
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Leamreject



Member Since: 19 Dec 2020
Location: Middle Earth - Leamington Spa
Posts: 954

Italy 2011 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 HT Fuji White
Good job your in California as it would be a real issue in colder climates. Mr. Green Ride like you stole it!!
If I’m not on a bike it’s because only a 4x4 will do…
2011 2.4 Puma 90 HT
Post #966837 6th Oct 2022 9:17am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6478

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Is it a Tdi (with a glow plug relay-timer) or a pre-Tdi (TD or NA) without a relay?  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #966839 6th Oct 2022 9:26am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Change feed off ign2 to glow plug relay. You are getting glow plug on with starter as glow plugs stay on for short while afternstarting with 300tdi anyway.

Change initial relay feed supply. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #966841 6th Oct 2022 9:33am
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Soulrider911



Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 105

United States 1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White
The engine is a 2.5 turbo diesel “Falcon” according to vin. 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning
Post #966883 6th Oct 2022 3:42pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6478

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
OK, on the pre-Tdi there is no glow plug timer, so you have to do it manually!

There is a sprung key position between "ignition" and "start" on the key - this is the glow plug heat position.

Hold the key against the spring before you get to the start position (this is the heat position), count to 10 or 15 or 20, then turn it further to turn the starter motor.

You should get the choke warning symbol come up on the warning panel when you are in the sprung 'heat' position.

Source: my 90 used to be a TD Wink  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #966885 6th Oct 2022 3:50pm
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Soulrider911



Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 105

United States 1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White
Ohhhhh! I think I have been doing it wrong. Also my glow plug indicator light might be burned out as it is not illuminating… but I think it is one bulb I have not replaced. I usually turn the key all the way to acc let it sit then try to start. I think I have been doing it wrong. I will try this. Thank you so much, had no idea. 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning
Post #966889 6th Oct 2022 4:09pm
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Soulrider911



Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 105

United States 1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White
Just talked to my tech and seems he did test this…

“ I did that check thinking mybe there was a set detent in the switch but never seen voltage to glow plug until engine is cranking over. We will check that when we get the rig back in.”

Thoughts 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning
Post #966892 6th Oct 2022 4:39pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6478

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Check the switch is wired up correctly, many aren't.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #966893 6th Oct 2022 4:41pm
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Soulrider911



Member Since: 04 Jul 2022
Location: California
Posts: 105

United States 1989 Defender 90 2.5 TD SW Chawton White
Thanks, I have a service manual and can dig into this more… but do you know offhand where the switch is? Is it part of the ignition column in the dash? 1989 Defender 90
2022 Defender 110 SE
DIY’er | Always learning
Post #966901 6th Oct 2022 5:23pm
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6478

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
It's mounted on the column, you should be able to see it and the wiring to it if you remove the instrument binnacle.

You're looking for a thick brown with red stripe wire for the glow plugs, the starter wire is white with red.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #966902 6th Oct 2022 5:25pm
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