RK55HC - no glow plug indicator light?

g8erh8er · Dec 23, 2018

My manual says to turn the key to the On position and wait for the glow plug light to turn off before starting the tractor.

I have seen no such light, as indicated in the attached pic. According to the manual, it should be just to the right of the oil pressure lamp, which does illuminate when my key is in the On position. Anyone actually have the glow plug lamp?

Additionally, what is the purpose of the Glow key position (activated by turning the key to the left instead of to the right for the On position? If the On position activates the glow plugs as well, I am not sure why you would need a key position dedicated to just the glow plugs.

RTBee · Dec 24, 2018

We definitely have a glow plug indicator. It comes on when we first turn the key, but goes off pretty quick, then we start the tractor. I does stay on a little longer when it's really cold, though still only a few seconds. I've not tried to start it in single digit weather or less, so not sure about that.

As to the second question, I know what you're saying but have no idea either as to the purpose. In the manual it shows both a 3 position start switch (3-3) without the 'glow position' and a 4 position switch (3-7) which shows the glow position to the left of 'off' like you describe. That's the way ours is also. It could be that it's just a universal type switch, shared with the TYMs and others and has no function on our tractors, idk. Maybe others have more insight on this than me. (no doubt!)

g8erh8er · Dec 24, 2018

Thx RTBee. I will investigate further. If it's only coming on for a second or two, then it's very possible I'm just missing it when all the other lights illuminate. I would expect it to stay lit when most of the lights go off and all you have left are the oil pressure and battery lights. It was 39 deg when I started it at the store and that didn't happen.

Btown · Dec 24, 2018

Most modern diesels do not need glow plugs to activate till under 32 degrees F. Even my 1993 Ford 1920 does not need glow plugs until it is below 32. I’m sure the glow plug light is there. The Yanmar engine in that is a really nice engine. You do not hear many people with Yanmar engines have issues with them.

3gunr · Dec 24, 2018

I have a mahindrs 2538 which is also a tym made tractor and it does the same thing.Even in very low temps it stays on for only a couple seconds.But the tractor always starts right up. Turning the key to the left doesnt seem to do anything like on my older 2810 which definetly turns the glow plugs on.

g8erh8er · Dec 24, 2018

Update - my light does work. It just shuts off with all the other accessory lights a few seconds later. I was expecting to see it still illuminated after everything shuts off, and thus didn’t see it all amongst all the other lights.

RK55guy · Dec 24, 2018

i would still like for RK TRACTOR GUY to chime in and explain what goes on when you turn the key to the left from the off position. i turn mine to the left, if its quiet around you, you can hear something running but it sounds like an electric fuel pump. if its real cold out, i turn my key to the left and hold it for about 15 sec. then turn it to the right and wait like 5 sec then start it up. i dont know if this is right or not but its what i do.

s219 · Dec 24, 2018

If it's like many other tractors out there, turning the key to the left will only run the glow plugs. So if it was cold and you need to run the plugs for a while, you'd turn to the left and hold it there for a bit before turning right to start (after which it should start quickly). The start position to the right will also run the plugs, but only as long as you crank the starter. It's fine for a warm engine, but you would not want to rely on that position to run the glow plugs when trying to start a cold engine.

g8erh8er · Dec 25, 2018

s219 said:
If it's like many other tractors out there, turning the key to the left will only run the glow plugs. So if it was cold and you need to run the plugs for a while, you'd turn to the left and hold it there for a bit before turning right to start (after which it should start quickly). The start position to the right will also run the plugs, but only as long as you crank the starter. It's fine for a warm engine, but you would not want to rely on that position to run the glow plugs when trying to start a cold engine.

That's not how our RK glow plugs work, at least not on the RK55. When you turn the key to the On position, the glow plugs activate. There is no cranking taking place until you turn the key past the On position. Hence, it's a mystery as to why you'd need to turn the key left to the glow plug position. It does the same thing as turning the key to the On position, with the exception that in the glow plug position, none of the other accessories will activate (radio, A/C, etc.).

HoneyBadger1 · Dec 25, 2018

I need to turn my key to the left, wait for like it to go out and then start. It definitely starts much better doing it this way as opposed to key in and start. Mine is an RK24.

radios1 · Dec 25, 2018

g8erh8er said:
That's not how our RK glow plugs work, at least not on the RK55. When you turn the key to the On position, the glow plugs activate. There is no cranking taking place until you turn the key past the On position. Hence, it's a mystery as to why you'd need to turn the key left to the glow plug position. It does the same thing as turning the key to the On position, with the exception that in the glow plug position, none of the other accessories will activate (radio, A/C, etc.).

it's done that way so you get maximum voltage to the glow plugs,, any unnecessary loads would reduce the voltage a bit, if you notice, even automobiles that run on gas do this, you are either starting the engine, or running accessories because you get more voltage with a reduced load..

s219 · Dec 25, 2018

g8erh8er said:
That's not how our RK glow plugs work, at least not on the RK55. When you turn the key to the On position, the glow plugs activate. There is no cranking taking place until you turn the key past the On position. Hence, it's a mystery as to why you'd need to turn the key left to the glow plug position. It does the same thing as turning the key to the On position, with the exception that in the glow plug position, none of the other accessories will activate (radio, A/C, etc.).

Isn't the "on" position where the key returns to when the engine is running, after you have started the engine ? The glow plugs would not be on the entire time the engine is running, so I don't think the key's "on" position equates to constant glow plug power. Every other tractor I have run with this type of key switch has you turn to the left to manually power glow plugs (and only glow plugs) for as long as the user wants or until a timer is reached, then you turn to the right to start. Anything to the right keeps the glow plugs heating only until the engine starts and runs, but you should not be using that key position beforehand to pre-heat (among other things, you would not want/need to have all the other circuits powered up and drawing from the battery too). For pre-heating with the glow plugs you should be turning the key to the left for the appropriate amount of time.

I doubt there is anything unique about this pertaining to the RK55 -- not only is this a common type of key switch across tractor makes, the RK55 itself is one of many variants/clones of a TYM.

coastie15078 · Dec 26, 2018

I have a 24 also, and in the manual, it states to use the Glow Plug "All the time".....I have looked at other manuals for other tractors on line and on other tractors it specifies a certain temp before using Glow Plugs.....Is is bad to use the glow plugs all the time? I was told by an RK tech to use glow plugs even in the summer when first starting for the day, but once tractor has been running and you shut it down for a few hours you don't need to use glow plugs when restarting? Any good info on when to use glow plugs, so I dont wear them out before it's time.

g8erh8er · Dec 26, 2018

s219 said:
Every other tractor I have run with this type of key switch has you turn to the left to manually power glow plugs (and only glow plugs) for as long as the user wants or until a timer is reached, then you turn to the right to start. Anything to the right keeps the glow plugs heating only until the engine starts and runs, but you should not be using that key position beforehand to pre-heat (among other things, you would not want/need to have all the other circuits powered up and drawing from the battery too). For pre-heating with the glow plugs you should be turning the key to the left for the appropriate amount of time.

Straight from the RK owner's manual - See Number 8. Mentions nothing about turning key to the left.

STARTING THE ENGINE
Before starting the engine carry out the pre-operational checks as set out on page 31.
(1)Sit on the driver seat
(2)Apply the footbrake.
(3)Put the hydraulic lever in the down position.
(4) Push down the clutch to activate the safety-starting switch.
(5)Put the main gear lever in neutral
(6) Insert the ignition key and turn it on
(7)Ensure that the warning lights are working
(8) Operator need to turn key to the “ON” position. The glow circuit automatically activates.
Operator need to wait for glow light to turn off .As the lamp goes off turn the key to the start position to start the engine.
(9) Ensure that all the warning lights are off with the engine running.

Tennsawdust · Dec 27, 2018

It sounds like the ECU is managing the glow plug cycle like it did on the Sprinter van I used to drive. It would fire the glow plugs in the "on" position for a length of time based on temperature readings. Then you could start it.

Soundguy · Dec 27, 2018

RK55guy said:
i would still like for RK TRACTOR GUY to chime in and explain what goes on when you turn the key to the left from the off position. i turn mine to the left, if its quiet around you, you can hear something running but it sounds like an electric fuel pump. if its real cold out, i turn my key to the left and hold it for about 15 sec. then turn it to the right and wait like 5 sec then start it up. i dont know if this is right or not but its what i do.

Same here, if I turn the key left, no lamp.. But I do faintly here something running. Glow indicator comes on in the on position for a real short time prior to starting.

BoneStock · Jan 1, 2019

Turning key to the left will engage lights or any other 12 volt accessory thats engaged. Glow plugs are on a separate circuit and only work on key left, and not the key start position, where as lights and other accessories will work both ways.
My RK19 puts the image up on the dash for glow plugs, but never shuts off. I just hold the key over 15 seconds or so then start. Anyone else encounter this? Perhaps no auto shutoff?

coastie15078 · Jan 2, 2019

On my 24, I turn the key to the left and release immediately, and if you notice on dash, the glow plug light will show. Once the glow plug lights goes out, I turn the key to the on position for a few seconds, and then turn the key to the start position.

Soundguy · Jan 3, 2019

i get no glow plug lamp on the dash other than when you hit on and all the lights test.

I hold it left prior to start.. I can hear 'something' running.. just not sure what.

RalphVa · Jan 3, 2019

Our VW TDI's glow plugs would work extremely fast. Started virtually like a gasoline engine.

Never had a glow plug light on the JD 4010. Just counted 4 to 6 seconds in cold weather and a couple seconds in warm weather and turned to start. I put a continuity light on a glow plug. They were getting juice in the "on" position.

Ralph