Wait to start glows when cold

[Lonnie]

Hello again,
Please keep in mind with some of my simple questions that my pickup didn't come with an owners manual when I bought it a couple days ago so I'm kinda running blind.

I did some searching but couldn't find an answer...

In the morning, how long will the glow plug light stay on before you try starting it? With my Dodge it's about 5-7 seconds but this morning when I tried to start the Datsun (my first cold morning start) I didn't count but after what seemed like about 10 seconds I got nervous & tried to start it & it took several tries & it smoked like a coal stove! It finally smoothed out. After it warmed up I've had no problems starting it several times today. When teh engine is warm the wait to start light only stays on for about 4-5 seconds...

I just remember with my Ford it had 6v glow plugs & if they stayed on for more then about 8 seconds they were toast!

Thanks for your help.

Lonnie

[asavage]

One post to read.

Also, read 1982 FSM, page EL-41, which says up to 48 seconds for the "wait" lamp to go out.

These older Nissans do not use low voltage GPs. They are like pre-81 Mercedes and pre-81 VW diesels, where you have to wait a good long time.

I wait until the GP relay drops out. In a quiet truck, you can easily hear it (a "thunk" behind the glovebox area. Then I begin cranking. Or cycle the Ign. switch and let it glow some more.

[Lonnie]

Thanks Al!
You seem to be the answer man around here. Hopefully you don't get tired of the training process!

After some more looking around I did find a thread that referd to a 20 second cycle so I kind of wondered.

Years ago I had a 1959 190D and you had to wait a long time with it also. You had a knob that you pulled part way out & you watched a little wire behind a screen of sorts. When the wire glowed after about a minute then you pulled the knob the rest of the way out & started the cranking process. You pulled another smaller knob out to kill it.

I can't wait to see how it starts on our cold central Oregon mornings. The fellow I bought it from said it always fired right up so I wondered what I did wrong.

Lonnie

[asavage]

Listen for the clunk. The "minimum wait" light goes out before that. On about a 40° morning, I think I waited >30 secs.

Philip is the 720/SD guy here; I just take the pretty pictures

[Lonnie]

I'll try to be more patient!

Thanks!

[asavage]

The SD22 has the "Type I" autoglow system; the SD25 got a faster "Type II". Scan the thread topics for an interesting read on the later, faster system, that Philip took the time to put together. I don't see any reason why, if you really wanted to, you couldn't upgrade to the later system, given a donor parts truck.

[philip]

"Upgrade" to TYPE-II requires the different Auto After Glow Controller, wiring harnass, GP relay(s), dropping resistor, & glow plugs. ARGH

In either case, readpre-glow times

[Lonnie]

Philip,
Thanks for the info! (again)
I don't have any problems with the slow glow system. I just didn't know if it was a fast start system & I was afraid I was going to blow all the plugs when the light stayed on for more then 10 seconds!

For the time being I have more important issues to deal with like brakes, idler arm & ball joints to replace. Once I get these done then I can take a breath & figure my next plan of attack...like maybe a little body work & a new coat of paint?

Speaking of body work, I have a short bed on this thing. I have a friend who has a 1980 long bed gasser & the motor is blown. I think I could pick the whole thing cheap but was wondering if the long bed would fit? I really would prefer a long bed...

Thanks again for your patience with my questions!

Lonnie

[philip]

Lonnie: Bed swapping