[badgerbrock72]

Hi all,

over the recent cold weather ive been noticing that my dash throws up the glow plug symbol nearly every time i start.

I always take care to insert keyfob, press start (with foot off brake) to bring up all the warning symbols etc, then leave for about 30 secs before starting. I thought this was sufficient to get the plugs up to temp. However - most times when i then actually go to fire up the engine i still get the 'wait - preheating' message on idrive and the glowplug warning symbol.

handbook isnt much use, doesnt give any preferred methods.

am i damaging the plugs by starting the engine before they are up to temp?

cheers

Garry

[xenon]

The glow-plugs aren't sent full power until you press the start button - it gives power to the plugs for a couple of seconds and then turns the engine. Waiting just with the ignition on will make no difference - you can wait as long as you like.

[coopersim]

I was under the impression that the car delays the starting of the engine until it's pre heated the plugs, and the time delay depends on the temperature, I might be wrong though.

[badgerbrock72]

its just that the idrive message says 'Wait! - Preheating' but of course youve already pressed the start button at that point and the engine fires up regardless...?

[xenon]

The engine fires up after a momentary pause.

[badgerbrock72]

so, nothing to be overly concerned with then??

cheers all for the replies

Garry

[rsmallwo]

Sounds like the glow plugs are on there way out. I get the same message and the engine sounds a touch rougher for a min or so. Before this started I never had any prompts about glow plugs. My indy says there are errors for the glow plugs reported. I'm on 97k, 56reg 335d.

Going to get them done before next winter as they seem that they will last this one out. will also get swirl flaps at same time as its in the same place.

[doc_ab]

Not sure about them being on the way out if it is only the symbol as my 8 month old 640 does this in cold weather as it is parked outside. The op didn't indcate that his car was running "rough".

[m1bjr]

Press to start - engine will not crank until glow plug heaters are up to temperature.
On my 318d this takes about 2-3 seconds in subzero.

[shane55]

I read somewhere here that the preheating even starts when you unlock and open the door, then it times out if you don't start the engine.

The odd time I do get the glow plug symbol flash for a second or two! I usually hop in, foot on brake, key in, hit start...car starts automatically after a little delay when the glow plug symbol goes out! I've never seen an Idrive message, are you lci?

[Dr Dave]

All I ever see is a short delay when pressing the start button and a yellow pigs tail symbol in the dash binnacle.

Shane is correct, the plugs will begin to pre-heat when the door is opened in anticipation of you starting the engine.

So there is no need to wait at all.

[badgerbrock72]

Im lci, get a idrive message along with the symbol.

Also, its low mileage (just under 10k miles presently) so id hope the plugs arent on their way out (mind you i guess its covered by warranty if they are)

It hasnt been out since thursday last week so will report back next week as its bound to be sub zero when i next drive!!

Cheers everyone

Garry

[rsmallwo]

I only summise mine are on their way out due to a few factors.

-Age and Mileage of my car

-My car has never shown the glowplug symbol before. Even at -17C and me just jumping in and starting it.

-Indy mechanic saying he saw an error about them

-car runs a touch rough on starting if glowplug sign flashes up