Flashing glowplug light on startup

[PaulH]

I have recently noticed that my glow plug light takes longer to go out on startup, even when the engine is warm - but thought I might be imagining it. I was driving it recently after a week's non-use, and after a few yards the light started flashing and the engine misfired, but then sorted itself out after about two seconds - after which it was fine for the rest of the day. However, when I started it yesterday, the same thing happened but the engine started, only for the light to start flashing immediately and the radiator fans to start running - even though the engine was stone cold. Also, there was a very pronounced misfire. If it had not been for the fans running I would have immediately suspected the glow plugs. On trying again later, the same happened (the flashing and radiator fans) even before the engine had started. I did not drive it in case I caused further problems, but wondered if the problem might correct itself as the engine warmed up so I can at least get it to a garage.
Does anyone have any experience of this problem. My Bongo is a September 2000 model.

[Northern Bongolow]

sounds like starter battery really low.
the starting or attempting to start draws loads, then the heater plugs take more, then there aint enough left to start the fans usually kick in.

check all connections to the battery, and the main engine to body earth, if ok get battery checked.


ps----- just had this myself.

[PaulH]

For those who are interested, the problem is fixed. I took it to TMVR in Brixham and they traced it to a faulty coolant sensor, plus a wire shorting out somewhere in the cooling circuit. If anyone has a similar problem, I can try and find more information as to where the short was.

The problem with Bongos is that whenever anything goes wrong, you get the dreaded flashing glow plug light of doom (and the painful 'limp-home mode'). Which tells you no more than that something is wrong! Quite often, the actual fault is very simple to fix - but tracing the fault can be horrendous.

[Simon Jones]

It might have been the sensor above the engine by the hand brake. If you disconnect that, the light flashes and the scavenger fan (not the radiator fans) will come on.