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Glowplug symbol stays lit and flashes?

7K views 16 replies 12 participants last post by  valda 
#1 ·
Hi, when I start my Alfa 156 2.4 diesel all of the symbols on the dash go out, but the curly wire symbol (glow plugs), comes back on and flashes for about 5 seconds. Is this an indication that there's a fault with a glow plug or the glow plug circuit? Many thanks for any help.
 
#5 ·
Fishfearhim

I had similar issue with my 1.9 jtd

Read the following thread as its all about my problems trying to resolve the issue.:rant:
As long as you have a multimeter you should be able to test the plugs easily.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-147-156-and-gt/203943-error-code-from-fiat-ecu-scanner.html

The short answer for me was that 1 glow plug had failed, the cheap replacement from ebay was also dead. Finally fixed the problem with a NGK glow plug from my local motor factors.

Glow plug cost me about £9 for the 1.9

Good luck
 
#6 ·
Thanks xanman7 for a really useful reply. Mine is also an intermitant problem. I'll check i'm getting some resistance from each glow plug. In theory I should be able to remove them and see them glow (with power and earth connected). The Fiat ECU scanner sounds like a very useful piece of kit, where can I get it?
'Smaky' said " Normally if it's flahing it's the glow plug timer unit. 51771823 - £75", is this an Alfa part number? Plus does anyone know where this timer is located on my 2000 X reg 2.4 JTD? Thanks
 
#7 ·
Mine does this - its never caused a problem - could just be one plug thats out, still got 4 other cylinders lol.

Old transit diesels didn't have any glow plugs just started..........(eventually) lol
 
#8 ·
I am not sure if the Older 2.4 JTD is supported so best check first, the web site does list all supported models. Fiat ECU Scanner is free from the following link and is well worth having :thumbs:

FiatECUScan - Fiat, Alfa, Lancia ECU Reader / Scanner

You can get a cable cheap enough from ebay which will work fine for the ECU.
I Modified my cable to access the ABS & Airbags. only needs basic soldering skills.;)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-409-1-...ht_4028wt_1165

You could get a modified / tested one that works with the Airbags, ABS and ECU from Rarebear on this forum.

Afraid I can't help with the location of the Relay for the 2.4, on the 1.9 its bolted to the bulkhead behind the EGR valve.

When mine was faulty the Glow Plug light flashed for about 30 seconds after the initial Warm up period.

I found the plugs very hard to get at on mine so found it easier to meter them out from the Relay connector.

Let us know how you get on. :)

Xanman7
 
#10 ·
It's almost certainly one or more glow plugs as theres not much else to go wrong. I had a similar problem on my 2.4 JTD the glow plug light flashing after start up for about 15-20 secs. I changed all 5 plugs ( a right pain to get too I would add) and problem solved. Could have tested each plug with a car battery charger and meter but as the car had done 80k and they were the original plugs thought i might as well change the lot. One did look a lot worse for wear than the others, very burnt and sooty but didnt test it. I'm glad I wont have to do that job again for another 80-100k... fingers X'd.
Incidently the I bought my plugs off a guy on Ebay original Fiat ones for £2.99 each a mega bargain, thats all five for the price of one from Alfa main dealer.
Good luck and see you all in Milan.
 
#11 ·
Mine has been doing this for 2 years and 24k, haven't bothered to do anything about it as car has never failed to start first time (even at -14c last xmas eve). An Alfa tecnician explained that they stay on for a short period after starting to provide extra heat in the combustion chamber and therefore reduce cold start emissions, in fact that is the only reason there are glow plugs, like the transit (also direct injection) plugs are not needed for starting. My advice, leave well enough alone and save the skin on your knuckles, the extra emissions you produce will be dwarfed by the volcano:rolleyes:
 
#13 ·
Im having same symptoms.. glow plugs light stays on for about 20 seconds (not always!). Seems to be more frequent now that its warmer outside. During winter it showed up maybe once, now its pretty much atleast every two starts.
I took it to a mechanic who said the plugs are fine. Does that mean its the glow plug timer unit or is it still worth giving changing the plugs a go?
 
G
#14 ·
I've got the same intermittent error - code is P0638 "Glow plug relay faulty". It goes away if I switch the key back to zero and then back to MAR, which leads me to believe it's not a glow plug, but rather some electrical circuit which doesn't get properly "initialized" on the first attempt.
The car starts every time without issues. It does leave a black smoke trail behind, but I suppose that's down to something else.
 
#17 ·
mine's a 2001 2.4jtd and the light's been flashing each time i start the car for the past two years or so. it still starts first time every time, even through what seemed like a never ending seriously freezing Northern Irish winter last year (temperature reading in-car down to minus 16 some mornings).
 
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