Texas
It is sometimes challenging to start a diesel engine if the weather is cold, but Mercedes cars use glow plug relays to get the job done. Just like the spark plug in your gasoline engine vehicles, diesel vehicles use glow plugs to ignite the engine. These plugs have a relay that controls the duration that the glow plugs are heated. When these relays fail, your car may be hard to start or may not run well on the road. If you know how to spot and correct this problem, you will be able to keep your Mercedes reliable all year round.
Symptoms of a Bad Glow Plug Relay
- Difficulty Starting the Engine: If your Mercedes takes time to start or is difficult to start particularly in the cold season, then it could be caused by a bad glow plug relay. This is because the glow plugs are not adequately heating the engine cylinders as required before the start of a normal driving cycle.
- Engine Misfires: If the glow plug relay is bad, it will lead to what is referred to as an engine misfire and this results in an unequal or irregular running of the engine. This can be attributed to inadequate heating of the engine cylinders.
- Warning Light on Dashboard: Most current Mercedes cars feature a dashboard warning lamp that signifies that there is an issue with the glow plug system. If this light illuminates, then you have to find a way to fix it to clear the lights.
Measures to Take When There is a Failure in the Glow Plug Relay
- Inspect the Glow Plugs: Look at the glow plugs to see if they are okay. Take out the glow plugs and check whether they are worn out or damaged or not. If the glow plugs are damaged then they are required to be replaced. Even if the relay is causing the problem, the glow plugs themselves will wear out and start causing problems.
- Locate the Glow Plug Relay: The glow plug relay is generally found in the vehicle’s engine. Check the car manual for the specific location in your particular make and model. It is usually a small-sized material with electrical terminals.
- Test the Glow Plug Relay: The glow plug relay can be tested with the help of the multimeter. First of all, one has to separate the relay from the electrical contacts. Then, switch the multimeter to the resistance mode and place the probes on the relay terminals. A working relay will have a particular resistance level. If the reading is out of the manufacturer’s recommendation, then the relay is bad and should be replaced.
- Replace the Glow Plug Relay: If you are certain that the glow plug relay is bad, then it will be necessary to change it. Buy a new relay that fits your vehicle’s make and model, in this case, a Mercedes. You have to unscrew the terminals to the old relay and unbolt it from the bracket. Replace the old relay with the new relay by fixing it to the electrical terminals and then the mounting bracket.
- Test the New Relay: This is done by starting the engine after installing the new relay to check if the problem has been solved. The engine should start easier and any previous symptoms should not be present. If this problem continues, there could be other problems in the glow plug system that must be resolved.
Schedule An Appointment With Our Mercedes Experts
If you are using a diesel engine car or if you are in search of a reliable shop that could assist you in the repair and maintenance of European cars, then European Service Center is the place to be. Since our establishment in 1979, we have been catering to drivers with four centers in Georgia, as well as four in Texas.
Our trained technicians are capable of solving any problem related to your Mercedes. Are you experiencing poor performance from the relay in the glow plug of your Mercedes? Then, come to us. We will guarantee that your Mercedes performance will be brought back. You can visit us in Plano, Houston, and Dallas, TX, or any of our other offices in Georgia. Schedule an appointment online now.