Glow plug indicator

[Strodad]

I cannot see any light from my indicator when the key is turned. I read between 2 and 4 ohms across it, is that normal?

 

[85Hokie]

I cannot see any light from my indicator when the key is turned. I read between 2 and 4 ohms across it, is that normal?

I will tell you this ........ you will need to be in a "dark" area - like a shed with the lights not bright, and you will need to hold key for a good minute - maybe more!

On my B7100's - IF I Want to see the glow - I have to hold it a while - only needed to do it one time in the winter, otherwise about 10 seconds and the tractor start perfectly without seeing the indicator glowing.

 

[Strodad]

I will tell you this ........ you will need to be in a "dark" area - like a shed with the lights not bright, and you will need to hold key for a good minute - maybe more!

On my B7100's - IF I Want to see the glow - I have to hold it a while - only needed to do it one time in the winter, otherwise about 10 seconds and the tractor start perfectly without seeing the indicator glowing.

I think maybe I should put a mini buzzer in line with it.

 

[mcfarmall]

Mine only kicks in if the ambient temperature is below a certain level.

 

[Roadworthy]

If your glow plug indicator is what I think it is, it's not really a good indication. It's a coil of resistance wire which glows when current passes through it. It's used to drop the tractor's twelve volts down to the 10.5 volts your glow plugs want to see. It will help extend their life. You could try feeding a lamp or buzzer from it so you know when the circuit is energized but I could never see the "indicator" glow on my old Mitsubishi, either. Sometimes the ends of the resistance wire burn or corrode and you may get now power to your glow plugs until it is cleaned or replaced.

 

[Strodad]

If your glow plug indicator is what I think it is, it's not really a good indication. It's a coil of resistance wire which glows when current passes through it. It's used to drop the tractor's twelve volts down to the 10.5 volts your glow plugs want to see. It will help extend their life. You could try feeding a lamp or buzzer from it so you know when the circuit is energized but I could never see the "indicator" glow on my old Mitsubishi, either. Sometimes the ends of the resistance wire burn or corrode and you may get now power to your glow plugs until it is cleaned or replaced.

I am new to this tractor, but everything works. I am just trying to get a feel for all the workings and quirks if any.
My daughter may be driving this to clear the driveway in the winter so i want to make sure everything is good to go.

 

[Dave_eng]

From what I see the glow indicator is a simple light bulb not a glowing coil of wire.

Here is the GP indicator troubleshooting section from the WSM.

Measuring the individual GP resitance to ground would be wise.

Doing the following checks should be done to rule out key switch or wiring problems.

The wiring diagram shows the indicator is a bulb which grounds through the GP's to the engine block.

Start by disconnecting the wiring from the glow plugs and then measuring their individual resistance to ground which should be 0.5 ohms

Dave

 

[BruceP]

I think maybe I should put a mini buzzer in line with it.

My tractor supplies a little power to the glowplugs even when cranking. The schematics clearly show this.

It's a coil of resistance wire which glows when current passes through it.

My Kubota has this old-skool type of indicator. BEWARE: If glowplugs are not drawing current (burned out) then the indicator NEVER glows either.