ford 1900 hard starting

jmducks1 · Nov 1, 2015

Ford 1900 diesel starts hard. Changed the
fuel filter. How do I test the glow plugs
to make sure they are working? I turn key
backwards and hold it and each one has
power to it. Is there more testing I can
do?

Sean in PA · Nov 2, 2015

You could get an IR thermometer, pull the plugs and ground the housing and measure the tips with the thermometer to see if the glow plugs are heating up.

sotxbill · Nov 2, 2015

Are you holding it in the pre-heat position for 10 seconds before you start cranking? Is the fuse good on the glow plugs?
Do you see the little heater through the silver cap on the dash glowing red during the heat cycle? Are the glow plugs warm to the touch after a 10 second glow plug cycle? Can you hold it in the preheat position and have someone measure 12 volts on the glow plugs?

That model need a glow plug cycle to start quickly, so yes they need to work correctly.

souNdguy · Nov 2, 2015

Since a glow plug is a heating element, to test it, it will either measure near 0 ohms, or open.

thus, pull the wire to the glow plug, and put a test lamp in line. if the lamp lights, circuit is complete, if lamp does not light, thent he circuit is open.

Bern · Nov 2, 2015

You don't need an IR gun to see if they're getting hot - just make sure you're not holding the wrong end!

jmducks1 · Nov 2, 2015

My bulb in dash is broke. But I do get power to all three glow plugs with test light when I hold key backwards. How much ohms should it be if they are good? Unplug wires before testing right? What side don't I want to touch when checking if they are hot opposite of wire?

sotxbill · Nov 3, 2015

after a cycle, put your fingers at the connection of the glow pug and wire, and feel quickly for heat,, if not hot, work yoru fingers down towards the engine... they would be at least warm if working and hotter as you go downward.

If you disconnect each plug and measure with an ohm meter, they should measure nearly zero or about a half ohm give or take... if they measure open or very high, the plug is definitely bad. be careful to use a good socket when removing and changing glow plugs as they can break, twist off or strip real easy... so a good impact 6 sided deep socket that fits really snug is a must, if you decide to remove and replace them. Dont use a sloppy or wrong socket or you will be in bad trouble.

I rarely see bad ones, but do see bad connections and no voltage getting to them but in all fairness I usually work on the bigger tractors.

I know in our IH tractors, the glow plugs are a "must work" to start the engine, otherwise its 6 pair of jumper cables and a party of 5 people to get it to fire.

jmducks1 · Nov 3, 2015

Thanks. Only one glow plug, Ordered 3 new $7 each not bad. They also came out easy. Should start easy after this right?

Bern · Nov 3, 2015

Glow plugs are usually between .5 and 1 ohm each. The hot end is the end opposite the terminal end.

MACK RD · Sep 18, 2016

How do you like the 1900

ford 1900 hard starting

jmducks1

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Sean in PA

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sotxbill

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souNdguy

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Bern

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jmducks1

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Bern

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