Alternator & Glow plug Relay failure- related?

[BIGLAD]

:confused:
Hi,
Has anyone had the following problem?- Maestro Van (2.0TD)
The alternator warning light came on while driving (approx 60 seconds after starting up)Also shortly after, when on tickover a buzzing noise could be heard from the glovebox area. Upon further investigation it turns out to be the Glow Plug Relay/Control box. (mounted on the nsf inner wing)When the tickover is increased the noise appears to stop. Although the engine noise drowns most any other noise out anyway!!
Has the Glowplug Relay caused the alternator failure or visa versa?

I have had a faulty glowplug relay before, that gave the symptoms of a failing alternator- No warning light illuminated but a low charge rate.I disconnected the relay and the charge voltage increased. Obviously the glow plugs were absorbing more (amps) than the alternator could supply? The cure was easy replace the relay/control box and recharge the battery.

Tonight however, for a short term fix i disconected the relay/control box (- warning light still on) and then replaced the alternator- Hey presto warning light now off.

Does anyone know/think that these two problems are connected or am i just the victim of a spooky coincidence??

Hey presto the warning light gas now gone out

:rage:

Thanks Biglad

[E_T_V]

My guess would be that the alternator failed (giving an incorrect or cycling voltage) which caused the relay to vibrate as you mentioned. The relay has a time delay which is something like 5 mins after starting before it switches the glow plugs off completely. I'd try the original relay and see if it was just a duff alternator.

(When the alternator failed it might be supplying alternating current to the system which would cause the relay to flick on and off at the same rate as the engine was turning)

[malcsmaesty]

Hi Biglad,
I don't think this is just a spooky coincidence, when my alternator failed i noticed that my glow plug relay was constantly buzzing until i disconnected the battery,not loudly, i could only hear it when the bonnet was up,disconnected the battery,reconnected,it stopped.
On refitting another alternator(bet you wish you hadn't sold it now :mad: ) with a new drive belt,it buzzes for about 5 seconds (when turning off ignition) then cuts out,which i think is the norm,please correct me if i am wrong!
malc:)

[BIGLAD]

Originally posted by malcsmaesty
Hi Biglad,
I don't think this is just a spooky coincidence, when my alternator failed i noticed that my glow plug relay was constantly buzzing until i disconnected the battery,not loudly, i could only hear it when the bonnet was up,disconnected the battery,reconnected,it stopped.
On refitting another alternator(bet you wish you hadn't sold it now :mad: ) with a new drive belt,it buzzes for about 5 seconds (when turning off ignition) then cuts out,which i think is the norm,please correct me if i am wrong!
malc:)


Hi Malc,
As far as i know (on my van) when you turn the ignition on the relay "clicks" in & the light comes on, the light goes off but the relay doesn't "click" out at the same time ( post heating- cutting down on black smoke and all that??). If you just sit in and listen you can usually hear the relay "click" afterwards.
As for wishing i hadnt sold it;) I have others in "stock"
The real test will be tomorrow morning, see if the "old girl" will go without any "glow assistance"!

[malcsmaesty]

Glad to hear you have others in stock!:D
best of luck on starting(fingers crossed!)