Glow plugs
 

Hello..
I have more than one problem with my car (3.0d 216hp, 2004), but this is most recent. I have change all of glow plugs and modul, but still get error that my plug and modul are bad. And i know that it is not working, because i do not get the message "preheating" on my lcd, what else could be wrong, and yes the temperatures are below 0°c..
Thx

Did you clear the errors after replacing the glow plugs and the controller? They will remain in the DDE error memory until manually cleared using INPA, DIS etc.

Also, it seems that the "preheating" message is not always displayed when the glow plugs are activated. I have seen it at startup a few times on my '05 3.0d but not always (even in the cold). The glow plugs can also be activated when the engine is struggling to maintain cylinder temps and the message certainly doesn't appear then.

Also, I just read this on another forum...

"Guarantee the reason for all of the glow plug controller issues is due to a failed coolant thermostat. (plus that it's winter season)

... Check your coolant temps, if they are not 86 to 88 degrees C, your thermostat has failed resulting in excessive glow plug activation while engine is running (not shown on the instrument cluster)."

Sounds like a reasonable theory. My car had a failed thermostat when I got it and a short while later I lost two then four glow plugs. I had replaced the thermostat by then but too late it seems...

Cleared my DDE errors (re. the glow plugs etc.) after replacing all six plugs and the controller and not more issues. :thumbup:

Found some glow plug activation info. form a BMW TIS (posted here on Xoutpost by _chris_): -

From TIS:

Preheating

At coolant temperatures below 25°C, there is a preheating period of 0.5 seconds. The preheating period increases as the temperature falls, reaching a maximum of 2.7 seconds at a coolant temperature of less than -25°C.

Activation of the glowplug system on the instrument cluster only occurs at coolant temperatures below 0°C.

After-heating

At coolant temperatures below 30°C, there is a temperature-dependent after-heating period to improve idling and exhaust emission characteristics.

Start preheating

Start preheating takes place for approx. 10 seconds if after the preheating time has elapsed the engine is not started and the ignition remain on.