hard starting

chuck172 · Dec 22, 2014

My ck35 with aprox.150 hrs. has been great. No problems. Just lately It's been hard to start in the morning. Not really cold out, about 32*. Normally I just turn the key, wait till the glow plug icon goes out and crank. Instant start. Now it seems like I have to crank it a few times.
Anything I should check?

VictorW · Dec 22, 2014

At @32', one cycle of the glow plugs should be enough. There's a possibility that even with the glow indicator coming on, that the glow plugs aren't getting the current. After the glow light glows off, turn the key off and back on for a second cycle of the glow plugs and see if it starts then. If no different, take a volt meter to determine if there is current to the glow plugs. Maybe the glow relay has gone bad. If there is current, then you need an ohm meter to check each glow plug and make sure they're working. Hard to believe that all three have gone bad at the same time. That's why a current check to the glow plugs would be helpful. That glow relay can go bad.

chuck172 · Dec 22, 2014

This morning at 28* it started right up. will do as you say, thanks victor.

ritcheyvs · Dec 22, 2014

I agree with Vic. I had a similar problem with my DK45S a few years back. I determined that the glow plugs lost power when I turned the key switch to crank. The root cause (in my case) was the key switch, which has worked fine since I cleaned and lubed the electrical side.

But you probably can't easily measure the glow plug current, so just measure the voltage at the common rail that connects the plugs.