Glow Plug indicator light question

[Jed Clampett]

Being new to the world of diesel engines (small block chevys in my younger days:D ,,I'm not sure of alot of things I see on this truck,,1994 3500. Now that the temps are down a bit, I notice the glow plug indicator light stays on a little longer, or at least seems that way, truck pretty much starts the same, but I noticed the glow plug light will come on momentarily while cranking and sometimes after it has started. I'm guessing this is a good thing???? Would this indicate the controller is doing what it's supposed ????? I just put new SS D glow plugs in.
Thanks

[AGNSCODY]

Yes the light staying on longer when it is colder is normal. At leaste my 95 burb stays on longer when it gets colder. As far as the light coming on when cranking and after it starts I have never seen that.

steve

[torque454]

The glowplugs NEED to stay on longer when its colder. The need to stay on longer to acheive the same temperature increase in the chamber when its colder. And it probably needs to be even hotter than normal because the air coming in is colder and will need more help to get hot enough to start.

[Chevylover]

It is possible that the glow plug light comes on again while or after cranking and can come again after the engine runs in the first minute after starting also. Depends on outside temps and right, it indicates that the controler is doing his job.



Cu,
Sven

[AGNSCODY]

Well After I started my truck this morning the light came on for about 1 sec and then back out so i guess It is normal and I just never paid attention to that.

[ChevyCowboy]

so will the glowplugs on turn on when the motor is cold enough to require them beacouse i notice that if i go to start it and the block is around 150 degrees (that what the in dash temp gage says) the light dose not ever turn on is this normall or is my relay bad or the controler

[Chevylover]

so will the glowplugs on turn on when the motor is cold enough to require them beacouse i notice that if i go to start it and the block is around 150 degrees (that what the in dash temp gage says) the light dose not ever turn on is this normall or is my relay bad or the controler


Absolutly right. The glow plug controller turn the plug on and off when needed and control how long the have to heat, depending on outside tempand engine temp.

Cu,
Sven