Glow Plug Trouble - Vectra

00lk

Opel Vectra 1.7TD 1996 (Isuzu Engine)

Whilst closing an injector nozzle on the engine block I accidently hit the metal connector for the glow plug element. This caused a large spark but I thought no more of it at the time.
I am now having great difficulty starting the car from cold – it will start after 3or 4 mins cranking

A few points to note;

If I run a makeshift lead from the battery positive terminal to the glow plug element for 10sec the car will start on the first turn of the key

Using a multimeter I have established that there is no power getting to the glow plugs when turning on the car’s ignition.

The wire between the relay and the glow plugs is intact

The glow plug relay is clicking and there is power coming to it from the ignition

However there is no power coming into the relay (from the battery) to send across the closed switch to the glow plugs.

There is one 30amp fuse in the relay box/compartment beside the engine which is still intact

The manual tells me that all fuel/ ignition system fuses should be in this box.

I think my problem lies between the battery and the relay but the power wire into the relay comes from another black box behind the battery.

Any ideas out there??

AzureAuto

Check fuel pump relay and associated fuse. My guess is that its a fuse blown from the bonnet short circuit though. Check all fuses, including hidden ones in engine bay. Check for 12 V with ignition on at glow plug relay terminal. Alternatively, briefly bridge the terminals of the relay that take the trigger voltage and with a multimeter check between live and earth of one of the glow plugs for voltage. If this is found, the problem is in the trigger side of the circuit, and (again) id be suprised if the fuse wasnt fried.

00lk

Thanks AzureAuto

We checked for 12v at ignition on at glow plug terminal and got nothing.
The manual says all fuel and starter fuses are in the box beside the engine, there is only 1 fuse there which is intact.
There are 2 Relays there a yellow one for the glow plugs and a green one.
I don't know what the green one is for?
You can clearly hear a clicking when turning on the ignition

shamwari

Autodata shows an underbonnet fuse box with two relays and two fuses. Each fuse / relay set are for fuel heater and glow plugs respectively.

The glow plug relay is actuated by a glow plug control module. If the relay and fuses are ok then there might be something amiss with that module or its fuse(s).

One final thing: next time you are messing with injectors, disconnet the battery. Sparks like that near an injector and any lying fuel will cause a fire.

00lk

Ok I found a fuse in a box behind the battery which was blown and I have replaced it.

Will have to wait now until the engine is cold again to see if its all good.

Is there a temperature sensor linked to the Glow Plug/Heating System to tell the Relay, if, or for how long to switch on for??

(Vectra 1.7TD Isuzu 1996)