heater plugs

[Old Rhodie]

I have a 9 year old, 13.5 BETA diesel in a small yacht. Always been an easy starter, but this season it has taken 2 or 3 long burst of starter motor to start. I notice that there is no voltage-drop on the voltmeter while the plugs should be on. I am sure there used to be, so I guess there is a continuity problem ?
Anybody with diesel knowledge who could suggest where to start looking for the problem ?
It starts fine if warm.
Ken

 

[Alpha22]

Identify the cable that supplies the heaters at the back of the ignition switch with it in HEAT position. (assuming that is how you activate the heaters) Measure the voltage there, it should be 12V. Check the voltage at the heater plug with the switch in the same position. Now- depending on your engine it may be 12V. It may not. But something sensible like 3 or 5 volts at least. If nothing reading on the heater plug, work your way back to the switch testing at each point until you find the point where the problem is.

 

[duncan99210]

Check the relay for the plugs. You might need to nip the terminal to ensure a tight fit and thus continuity.

 

[VicS]

Check the relay for the plugs. You might need to nip the terminal to ensure a tight fit and thus continuity.

is there a relay?

 

[duncan99210]

is there a relay?

There is on Rampage. Guess why I suggest checking it?

 

[VicS]

I have a 9 year old, 13.5 BETA diesel in a small yacht. Always been an easy starter, but this season it has taken 2 or 3 long burst of starter motor to start. I notice that there is no voltage-drop on the voltmeter while the plugs should be on. I am sure there used to be, so I guess there is a continuity problem ?
Anybody with diesel knowledge who could suggest where to start looking for the problem ?
It starts fine if warm.
Ken

Check the volts if any being applied to the heater plugs. If 12 V being applied the trouble must be the plugs themselves. Disconnect the wiring and check the resistance of each with a meter ... should be about 1 ohm ..... or check for continuity to with a bulb on a couple of leads if more convenient ( thats how I check the ones in the car)

If no volts refer to the wiring diagram in the owners manual check the connections on the wiring harness. ( terminal 11 )

Finally check for output from the keyswitch ( 2.5mm red wire on terminal 19 ) or heater button if a keyless panel

 

[VicS]

There is on Rampage. Guess why I suggest checking it?

There is not one shown in the wiring diagrams in the owners manual .. That is why I queried it.

Fair enough though if rampage has a 13.5 hp beta engine. Something else to check out

Volts to the coil, closing when "heat" is selected power to and from the contacts

I thought Rampage had a Volvo Penta MD2030 though ?

 

[J Neeves]

We had an identical problem with an MD2020. The fault was relay connection. But we checked, no power drawn when on 'glow' - should be about 40 amps, disconnected the glow plugs and checked resistance and then checked the relay. Given the relay is easiest to check (if there is one) check it first (I simply pulled out swapped for the identical other relay, swapping might have been unnecessary and plugged back in). It seems the connection was a bit iffy.

Oddly, considering the water here is still warm 20 degrees C, the glows have an amazing impact.

Jonathan

 

[Old Rhodie]

Thank you for all the advice. I have the whole day to try it tomorrow !
Ken

 

[Old Rhodie]

Sorted ! It was the contact to the glow plugs. I may have dislodged it while working on the engine over the Winter.
Ken

 

[ffiill]

Assuming there is power to plugs take them out and try them out with a 12v supply.Just a quick touch to earth with terminal wired to positive and they will get hot.