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Glow plug issues

Transit Mk3, 4 & 5(smiley front) Forum. All Transits 1986 - 2000

Glow plug issues

Postby Buzzbug » Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:49 am

I've just purchased a 99 mk5 2.5 turbo , I've noticed the glow plug light on dash isn't illuminating on cold starts, nor can I hear any relay clicking and it takes quite a few revolutions to start from cold.I found a 5 Amp fuse in the cab fuse box...it's fine but there must be a bigger fuse somewhere or ???.Any suggestions are welcome.Engine is very health, less than 60k miles. Thanks
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby Altransit » Sun Aug 03, 2025 10:43 pm

You could be looking for some time, the 2.5 engine doesn't have glow plugs
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby Buzzbug » Mon Aug 04, 2025 1:54 am

Oh....that's weird, I googled it and plenty of people selling glow plug relays for them.What else could be making it hard to start from cold ?As you can probably guess...its my first transit !Thanks
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby MinorMatt » Mon Aug 04, 2025 11:10 am

Buzzbug wrote:Oh....that's weird, I googled it and plenty of people selling glow plug relays for them.What else could be making it hard to start from cold ?As you can probably guess...its my first transit !Thanks


Those in cold climate markets had a flame plug in the inlet manifold (burns diesel to preheat the air).

These are normally good starters. You say its a TD has it still got lucas epic management or has it been converted to a bosch injection pump? (it is important to know for a number of reasons)
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby Buzzbug » Wed Aug 06, 2025 4:17 am

Hi, it still has a Lucas pump fitted.
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby MinorMatt » Wed Aug 06, 2025 10:59 am

So with the Lucas that cuts the number of options down considerably.

The timing cannot be far out or it would run in limp mode.

The first thing I would do is change the fuel filter and set the valve clearances.

If that doesn't help its possible that you have a poor seal on one of the diesel pipes, allowing air in and then the diesel drops back down too the tank, meaning a lot of cranking to pull it up again. Same as if the main lift pump on the side of the engine fails. The injection pump has an internal pump but it doesn't move as much as the lift pump.
Lucas Laser 2000/IDS
95 Pre Production DRW TD Highcube
95 Hallmark
96 150 100PS LWB Hi-Top
96 Autosleeper Duetto
06 Mk7 (scrap)
09 140PS T330S 2.2

Gaffa tape is like the force, it has a light side, a dark side, and it holds the universe together
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Re: Glow plug issues

Postby Buzzbug » Thu Aug 07, 2025 12:48 am

Thanks, I'll start with filter change and air leaks as tank has been relocated recently.
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