2008 BX 2350 Glow Plugs Indicator Stays on After Starting Engine

[DavidG95]

New BX 2350 owner here. I inherited the machine with around 1,000 hours. The weather has been between 20 and 45 F since owning and after preheating the engine according to the table, the engine will start fine. However, the glow plug indicator remains on throughout the operation and does not turn off. I have not run it more than 15 minutes at a time since coming into possession.

Several questions:

1. Does this indicate that the glow plugs are energized or could it be just a faulty lamp? I imagine this will greatly shorten the battery life of the tractor if they are constantly energized. Is there a way to test this?
2. Quick research has shown that a faulty relay or controller could be the culprit, but most of these threads have been on L series. I'm starting to believe that the action of the key being held is the relay.
3. Anyone have experience with what causes the glow plug warning light to remain on?

I have looked at the owners manual and the separate shop manual with the troubleshooting guide and the guide only has the option of "If the pre-heat indicator does not light". There is no symptom for if it stays on.

https://kubotabooks.com/AutoIndex/i...Manuals/&file=B2050_B2350_B2650_B3150_WSM.pdf

Any input appreciated!

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

The glow plugs are being heated all the time, extremely bad event.
The glow plugs could very likely just be burned up from this happening.

On that model the only logical way that can happen is if you have a bad ignition switch.
Are you 100% sure it's the glow plug indicator which is lit?

Test it by first by putting a test light or meter on the glow plug wiring and see if you are indeed getting power to them all the time.

If you getting power to them all the time, then you need to fix the issue (new switch) then replace the glow plugs.

 

[DavidG95]

Thank you for the reply. Yes, it is the glow plug lamp. 100%.

I will run the test you suggested when I get home. My feeling is that the plugs are still being energized while the tractor is operating, and I understand that is far from optimal.

I'm still learning about this, but during normal operation, are glow plugs energized only during the time you are holding the key in pre-heat mode? Should there be any electrical input to the plugs while the tractor is running? Obviously if the tractor is off, then there should be no current.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

My understanding is that that glowplugs are only powered during 'preheat' AND 'start'.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

Thank you for the reply. Yes, it is the glow plug lamp. 100%.

I will run the test you suggested when I get home. My feeling is that the plugs are still being energized while the tractor is operating, and I understand that is far from optimal.

I'm still learning about this, but during normal operation, are glow plugs energized only during the time you are holding the key in pre-heat mode? Should there be any electrical input to the plugs while the tractor is running? Obviously if the tractor is off, then there should be no current.

Glow plugs are heated during preheat and cranking.

 

[Bearcatrp]

Can you shut it off, then turn it on without engaging the glow plugs and see if the light stays on?

 

[Seane1987]

The ignition switch has 4 positions, off-->run-->preheat-->crank. It sounds like your ignition switch is not returning to the run position after you start it. The glow plug light indicates they are being powered, which is in the preheat/crank position only.

The switch is spring loaded to return to run, mine gets stuck sometimes and stays in preheat, which makes the light stay on, sounds like that is the problem you are having. There should not be a glow plug controller on your machine.

 

[Bee-Positive]

Can you shut it off, then turn it on without engaging the glow plugs and see if the light stays on?

If you look at the diagram in the post from Seane1987 you have to go past Glow to get to Start, so no.
Kind of like Monopoly.

 

[Bearcatrp]

What I meant was go straight to ignition instead of holding on the glow plug setting to warm up the glow plugs.