Bobcat S175 Glow Plug Problem

[Honingbob]

Hello;

I have an S175 and when turning the key to run, the glow plug light blinks and the alarm beeps three times. When the key is turned to start, it does start, but the glow plug light keeps blinking. The "countdown" timer never counts down and only displays the total hours. The temperature here is 16 degrees.

Any help would be appreciated before I start replacing the glow plugs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SSdoxie]

When that happens push and hold the "Hold For Codes" button, see what code comes up. 3 beeps means a code is present.

 

[Honingbob]

When that happens push and hold the "Hold For Codes" button, see what code comes up. 3 beeps means a code is present.

Thanks for the advice. I get a 21-03 error code. Which translates to "glow plugs error off". Any ideas on where to look?

Again, thanks!

 

[SSdoxie]

Glow plug relay or fuse would be a starting point.

 

[Adamski7]

Hello;

I have an S175 and when turning the key to run, the glow plug light blinks and the alarm beeps three times. When the key is turned to start, it does start, but the glow plug light keeps blinking. The "countdown" timer never counts down and only displays the total hours. The temperature here is 16 degrees.

Any help would be appreciated before I start replacing the glow plugs.

Thanks in advance.

I'm having the same problem. I'd appreciate it if u let me know how u resolved it. I checked my relay for the plugs n it is fine. Plugs look good as do the contact points.

 

[bcantell]

873 Bobcat with glowplug issue also.

Went to start it the other day and the glow plug wouldn't work. It was cold, around 20F and was colder that night. I had the block heater on for a day before trying to start.

Glow plug light would come on then shut off.

I tried starting ether, but didn't help. Ran the battery down, so hooked it up to my truck.

Pulled the codes and got 21-03 (21- Glow Plugs - 03 Error OFF (Detects OFF when should be on))

Got pissed and walked away.

Next day I opened the fuse and relay box and swapped out the Glow Plug relay with the rear light one and everything worked. Used if for an hour or so and everything was working just fine, glow plugs would fire for about 5 seconds when I shut it down and restarted. Got a new relay from NAPA and pulled all fuses and relays and coated with dielectric grease, put it all back together, all's good.

Wrong! Tonight, tried to start her and same thing, glow plugs come on and say 29 seconds, then shut down. Open the fuse box cover and all's good in there, swapped the relays and nothing this time. Didn't fix it.

For some reason, it did start, maybe cause it ran a couple of days ago, but I know if I leave it for a week or so, it won't.

Does anyone have a suggestion for where I should look?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SSdoxie]

873 Bobcat with glowplug issue also.

Went to start it the other day and the glow plug wouldn't work. It was cold, around 20F and was colder that night. I had the block heater on for a day before trying to start.

Glow plug light would come on then shut off.

I tried starting ether, but didn't help. Ran the battery down, so hooked it up to my truck.

Pulled the codes and got 21-03 (21- Glow Plugs - 03 Error OFF (Detects OFF when should be on))

Got pissed and walked away.

Next day I opened the fuse and relay box and swapped out the Glow Plug relay with the rear light one and everything worked. Used if for an hour or so and everything was working just fine, glow plugs would fire for about 5 seconds when I shut it down and restarted. Got a new relay from NAPA and pulled all fuses and relays and coated with dielectric grease, put it all back together, all's good.

Wrong! Tonight, tried to start her and same thing, glow plugs come on and say 29 seconds, then shut down. Open the fuse box cover and all's good in there, swapped the relays and nothing this time. Didn't fix it.

For some reason, it did start, maybe cause it ran a couple of days ago, but I know if I leave it for a week or so, it won't.

Does anyone have a suggestion for where I should look?

Thanks in advance.

Glow plugs with auto-timer will only stay on for about 30 seconds then shut off. If more glow plug is needed cycle key off then back on to have timer start over again. Approximately 30 second limit on duration is to protect glow plug from exess heat and damage.

 

[bcantell]

Glow plugs with auto-timer will only stay on for about 30 seconds then shut off. If more glow plug is needed cycle key off then back on to have timer start over again. Approximately 30 second limit on duration is to protect glow plug from exess heat and damage.

Yeah, but the glow plugs would not come on, just show 29 seconds, then off, no 28, 27, 26 etc.

Turns out it was the relay not working, but NOT because the relay was bad.

I called my local dealer, Bobcat of Springfield (ma) and the service guy was very helpful. He stated he was sure it was the plug connections , the relays plug into, coming loose.

He suggested, and I did, lift the cab, feel around in back of the relay & fuse board and check for plugs that are loose. There's a rubber cover, but I was able to push, what felt like the plugs connections, back in and have no problems since.