B3030 Glow Plug and Cold Start

Machold · Nov 25, 2012

I have a 2007, B3030. When I start it, I turn the key clockwise until the orange glow plug light comes on. If it's not winter, I hold it in the glow position for 5 - 10 seconds. In winter, longer, as long as 40 seconds; it all depends on the outside temperature. No block heaters etc.

My questions is this: is the orange light supposed to go off after a period of time? I have held it on as long as 1 minute, but it never goes off. (On my F2560, the glow plug light goes off and then it can be started.) On the B7400, same as B3030: never goes off.

What's right, or wrong?

herringchoker · Nov 25, 2012

I have a B7800 which is essentially the same tractor as your B3030. My operators manual says: "Glow plug indicator comes on while engine is being preheated." It also has a table showing how long to preheat for various temperature ranges. That to me means that the light is on as long as the key switch is in the PREHEAT position.

number two · Nov 25, 2012

The owners manual recommends 10 seconds at temps down to +5F.It suggests a block heater below these temps.40 seconds sounds too long to me.I would think that will damage the glow plugs long term from overheating.Remember that when the glow plugs are heating,you're using up valuable battery capacity needed to crank that cold engine.In your case without a block heater my opinion is try 10 seconds of glow plug then try to start.If no success,repeat the process.Avoid cranking the starter too long or it can also be damaged by overheating.Good Luck!

bandit67 · Nov 26, 2012

Machold said:
I have a 2007, B3030. When I start it, I turn the key clockwise until the orange glow plug light comes on. If it's not winter, I hold it in the glow position for 5 - 10 seconds. In winter, longer, as long as 40 seconds; it all depends on the outside temperature. No block heaters etc.

My questions is this: is the orange light supposed to go off after a period of time? I have held it on as long as 1 minute, but it never goes off. (On my F2560, the glow plug light goes off and then it can be started.) On the B7400, same as B3030: never goes off.

What's right, or wrong?

The GP light stays on for as long as you have the key turned to the GP fire position, indicating the GP are heating - it does not turn off when the key is in that position the way your F250 dash light does.

On your F250, the GP dash light is a "dummy" light that goes off automatically - it is not really an indicator telling you when to start your truck. The vehicle computer determines how long the Glow Plugs actually continue to heat, based on temperature, and the GPs can actually stay fired for up to 2 minutes, even when the dash light is off and including while you are driving, if the computer determines that they need to be on for that long. A much more sophisticated system.