How long do glow plugs normally take to heat?

**cont1204** · 4th October 2010, 21:33

Evening all.

I always knew something was missing from the dash. Couldn't put my finger on it but have finally twigged onto it being the glow plug light. Now as winter is setting in, I'm starting to wonder how long glow plugs take to heat roughly seen as I can hear more than one relay clicking from outside so can't tell that way when they're on or off.

I'm thinking about 4 seconds?

Don't want to shell out for new clocks just for a duff bulb!

**paul_sri150** · 4th October 2010, 21:39

Mine take literally 2 seconds

Only way you will know is in winter when they take slightly longer, plus if it is an led that has blown, it will cost pence to replace

**Penfold101** · 4th October 2010, 21:53

I wouldn't worry about it unless you have trouble starting on the very cold days. I believe they don't come on till the temperature drops to under 5 degrees anyway...

**the-wizard** · 5th October 2010, 05:25

You will see the light only quickly! most people think that's it! NO!!, Thats only an indication to let you know there working, The plug will heat for example 6 seconds at 11v & then a further 6 at 6v, this is common practice with most diesels for the plug to be heating for that amount or more.

**danny1992** · 5th October 2010, 09:11

MY light has come on once since i have owned my vectra, about 3 months. When i start my car white smoke comes out of the exhaust when it is cold and my car seems to like struggle so im thinking its the glow plugs but going to get it on the computer first just to make sure. Mayaswell change them now instead of waiting till it is about 2 degrees.

**neverlandandy** · 5th October 2010, 12:26

my glow plug light has come on all through the summer for about 2 secs and it's still the same just now and we have had frost a couple of times already

**bigdave1701** · 5th October 2010, 12:49

I saw my glow plug light for about 5 seconds last winter.

**Grumpy1954** · 5th October 2010, 13:06

Mine comes on for a few seconds if car/weather cold. Was one of the things I struggled with, being my first diesel, remembering to look lol.

**WilliamLX** · 5th October 2010, 13:13

Can't say I have noticed, but the CDTi is noticably slower to start than either my Mondeo TDDi or TDCi's were. The Fords always started instantly, where as the started always has to chug for a second or two in the Vectra. Was the same in my fathers diesel Cavalier.