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.