glo plug/heater warning light ?

[The Saddlemaker]

Hi All,
Rear window greased and working fine, going in for steering inspection on Monday. One other question is there supposed to be an indicator warning light on the dash display for the glo plug/heater ?. I just turn the key one position and leave it for 15-30 seconds and that seems to help starting in cold weather, (of which we get quite a lot of in Wales!!), am i right in doing so or is it just my imagination,, I have nothing indicating the use of a pre heater on my dash.

[dave.j.robbo]

Yeah, there is, or at least, should be, an indicator to show the glow plugs are on. Towards the left side of the instrument panel.

[The Saddlemaker]

Yeah, there is, or at least, should be, an indicator to show the glow plugs are on. Towards the left side of the instrument panel.

Thanks my friend, will get the dash off and look for duff bulb, keep you posted as to how I get on

[sparkyaj]

My 3L 4 runner doesn't seem to have one>?!?!?!?!

Our 2.5 mitsi van at work doesn't have one either..............? do the 3L surfs?

[TonyN]

My 3L 4 runner doesn't seem to have one>?!?!?!?!

Our 2.5 mitsi van at work doesn't have one either..............? do the 3L surfs?

Yup all surfs have them (except the petrol ones!!), direct injection engines like transits don't have glow plugs, I guess your Mitsi van doesn't either, your 4Runner should though.

[sparkyaj]

Oh, thanks for that.................. leading on from that then, why does the 3L have a cold start lever?

[TonyN]

Oh, thanks for that.................. leading on from that then, why does the 3L have a cold start lever?

it does?

[BUSHWHACKER]

Do you mean a starting handle?
VW beetles had them, but they were very long 'cos the engine is in the rear!

[DaveD]

it does?

Yup it opens the bonnet and lets a draught in......

[joe112]

Going back to the glow plug lights... As far as i'm aware all surfs have one.. As TonyN has said.. I have found mine to be pretty useless though, it only stays lit for a few seconds, no where near enough time for the plugs to light up. I have found that starting the engine with Immediatly with the light on has no difference to starting the engine immediatly after hte light goes off.. Its still a bit "jumpy" for want of a better word.

The method i now use is to wait for the "click" of the glow plug heaters, this takes about 10 seconds.. Starts much better immediatly after the click.

I think the light is useless personally cos it doesn't stay on long enough anyway!

[dave.j.robbo]

The method i now use is to wait for the "click" of the glow plug heaters, this takes about 10 seconds.. Starts much better immediatly after the click.

I think the light is useless personally cos it doesn't stay on long enough anyway!

Yup. Totally agree. I do the same...

[The Saddlemaker]

think I will join you

Yup. Totally agree. I do the same...

YES after really watchin hard the light does flick on then staight off, so did as you suggested an waited till I heard a click and hey presto, it worked,, thanks for all the info folks.
One happy Surfer

[Toxophilus]

Pre-Heat warning light

I have a 3rd gen 3 litre and you have to be very quick to spot the light before it goes out. I usually wait about 5 to 10 seconds and it starts fine.