sediment light

[rocketeeer]

I've been getting the sediment light coming on just before I start the engine, and sometimes the engine won't turn over.
I changed the fuel filter, and the light went away, but now a week later it's back. More crud in the tank? (it's still on the same load of diesel) or something else?

Hmm...glow plug light started flashing on the way to shops. Didn't flash on way back home. Odd.

Can you folks advise me?

[Bob]

Alternator.

[Simon Jones]

Sediment light is often accompanied by charge light which as Bob says indicates alternator is not charging.

[rocketeeer]

I forgot to say, the sediment light goes out once the engine starts.

Rocketeer

[rita]

The Sediment "Check light" should come on when the ignition is switched On and Should go Off when the engine Starts,

Could be worth checking and cleaning the plug contacts and the thin wire connection at the alternator, but usually the alternator is needing attention if the Sediment light stays On and the glow plug light starts Flashing ,this will eventually be accompanied with a Flat battery/s..

[g8dhe]

Does your Charge lamp come on/off at the same time as the Sediment light ?
If it does then all is as expected.
If it doesn't then the Charge lamp is not working and needs to be replaced.

The two lamps are linked so that during the ignition on step it can show you that the Sediment light is working, otherwise the sediment lamp can blow and there is no warning of this otherwise.

[rocketeeer]

A week ago I found this on the techie forum:

casls650, Aug 28th: 'sediment light'
> When I start the sediment light comes on, and there is plenty of battery but it will not start. I then wait a couple of minutes turn it over again and it starts. I am not technically minded, so know I need to take it to a garage, but I would like to have some knowledge to take to the mechanic. I ve looked through the fact sheets and cant work out what the problem is.

Can anyone tell me where about the sediment is that the light is telling me about, and let me know if this is likely to be causing my starting problems.

Simon Jones, Aug 28th: 'sediment light'
>Sediment light (when engine not running) indicates the fuel filter is contaminated with water. You can empty the filter as a short term fix but you'd be better off replacing it. If the sediment light and battery light comes on while driving it indictates the alternator is not charging.

After reading this I had the fuel filter replaced, and the sediment light disappeared quickly before I started the engine as usual: it normally stays on for just a second. Now it's on permanently until I start the engine. Could my tank still have water in it?
New-shape Bongo.

Re: the flashing coil light, I'll get the alternator checked, thanks.

Rocketeer

[Bob]

Have you just started using veg oil? This can clean crud from the system.

Or has it been stood for a good while? Possible 'Diesel Bug'.



http://www.oillab.co.nz/diesel_bug_explained