[Beauly]

Sorry if I am repeating a thread that already exists... I searched for glow plug and did not find a dedicated thread, only mentioned within other threads.

Simple question, how are glow plugs engaged during start process? Turn key to first position? Turn key all the way to starting and if glow plugs need time they will engage before turning starter etc?

Anyone know what the process is? (just thinking about colder weather starting, as this is my first winter with -new to me- 2016)

Thanks much!

 

[oak1971]

That's a good question, I have no clue. However, here is a link to an article on the engine. I did not see glow plugs mentioned in detail though.

https://www.dieselworldmag.com/gm/first-look-gms-2-8l-duramax/

This one kind of touches on the glow plugs.

https://jalopnik.com/how-the-chevy-colorado-diesel-was-americanized-its-mor-1734799892

More...

https://www.championautoparts.eu/news/glow-plug-control-module.html

More.....

https://www.autonews.com/article/20150629/OEM06/306299977/gm-tweaks-colorado-canyon-
turbodiesel-for-cold-weather

 

[Beauly]

interesting and thank you... starting to read through now... the first article on the (new) engine, very interesting, here I was under the impression that this engine was an Isuzu ! lots going on with that engine...

 

[oak1971]

interesting and thank you... starting to read through now... the first article on the (new) engine, very interesting, here I was under the impression that this engine was an Isuzu ! lots going on with that engine...

I'm not sure how Isuzu fits into the picture. I was under the impression they were involved somehow, just not sure how.

 

[Burgess159]

You can be like my wife and not realize that there is glow plugs on the truck and just hit the key and start it, even on the coldest days of near 0 last year, and it still started...slowly, or on a second time. Once I explained it to her, she would wait until she saw the icon go off.

When you turn the ignition on, you will always see this light come on (left side of the dash near the bottom). In winter months, you will see it stay on for up to probably 5-10 seconds at most and then go off. Once off, you can start the engine. Our trucks are pretty good about starting in cold weather, as demonstrated by my wife...

Also, about the whole Isuzu thing. Our 2.8 engine is not an Isuzu engine, it is a modified VM Motori engine that Chrysler had put in jeeps back around 2006 I think. Now, if you go and buy a full size Sierra or Silverado with the 6.6 Duramax, that engine is a joint production between GM and Isuzu.

 

[oak1971]

It was 25 deg F out tonight and my glow plug light came on and then went out fairly quickly- a few seconds or so.

 

[Beauly]

You can be like my wife and not realize that there is glow plugs on the truck and just hit the key and start it, even on the coldest days of near 0 last year, and it still started...slowly, or on a second time. Once I explained it to her, she would wait until she saw the icon go off. View attachment 8439

When you turn the ignition on, you will always see this light come on (left side of the dash near the bottom). In winter months, you will see it stay on for up to probably 5-10 seconds at most and then go off. Once off, you can start the engine. Our trucks are pretty good about starting in cold weather, as demonstrated by my wife...

Also, about the whole Isuzu thing. Our 2.8 engine is not an Isuzu engine, it is a modified VM Motori engine that Chrysler had put in jeeps back around 2006 I think. Now, if you go and buy a full size Sierra or Silverado with the 6.6 Duramax, that engine is a joint production between GM and Isuzu.

ok... this is very helpful... so... turn the key to first position (Acc mode?) wait until the glow plug light goes off... and then turn key 'rest of the way' to start the engine? Is that the procedure? My experience with glow plugs on other diesels engine be it boat or tractor is typically to hold glow plug switch, button, or key on and count for however many seconds you feel are needed, etc and then start engine after that. I have an Audi Q with a 3.0L diesel engine and the way that works is you press the start button (keyless) and nothing happens (if engine is cold) as the car is heating glow plugs AND THEN the engine turns over when it is ready to do so. Some times takes 3-4-5- seconds fro ths to happn, as you sit there waiting for the engine to start.

 

[oak1971]

Sounds like your Audi is doing automagicly what we are supposed to do in our trucks.

 

[oak1971]

My question, since I refuse to do the sensible thing and read the manual, is what is the threshold temperature?

 

[Burgess159]

Probably anything below 37. As at that temperature you get that warning that Ice may be possible but I don’t know for sure.

But yes, turn key to the 2nd position (ACC is 1st position) until light goes off, then turn to start and that’s it.

 

[oak1971]

Cool! Literally.

 

[Beauly]

ok... will try this in the morning on startup

 

[bigoilbob]

So, does the system automatically wait for glow plug heat up when you remote start? I think that Chev could make this happen, and I LOVE to do things the easy way. FYI, I have started remotely in the coldest weather I've driven in, with no problems...

 

[oak1971]

That is also a question I have had. I have stopped remote starting in the interim.

 

[DCBULLINGTON]

We have had a cold snap here in the Mid West, temps in the teens in November are not normal! I have been using remote start without issue. Not sure if the remote start programming take into account glow plug operation, I only know the truck is warmed up when I leave for work!

Dave

 

[bigoilbob]

We have had a cold snap here in the Mid West, temps in the teens in November are not normal! I have been using remote start without issue. Not sure if the remote start programming take into account glow plug operation, I only know the truck is warmed up when I leave for work!

Dave

Same here. Dave. IMHO, coding in proper glow plug time before cranking would be easy to do. But I am still wanting to flange this up. I looked in the books, and found remote start stuff on p32 of my regular users manual. Good info, but nada on this. Nothing in the diesel manual. So, that leaves me sitting in the drivers seat tomorrow AM - truck cold - and auto starting while inspecting my dash board to see what up. Yes, anal for a guy with basically a B- personality, but I would like to know...

 

[DCBULLINGTON]

Bob,

Bring a blanket and a hot cup of coffee! I am also wondering if the block heater has any bearing on any of this? My guess is they are two separate systems that are independent of each other. Anyone know for sure?

Dave

 

[oak1971]

That's what a guy gets for doing the right thing and reading the manual. Whole lot of nothing.

 

[Burgess159]

So, does the system automatically wait for glow plug heat up when you remote start? I think that Chev could make this happen, and I LOVE to do things the easy way. FYI, I have started remotely in the coldest weather I've driven in, with no problems...

That is also a question I have had. I have stopped remote starting in the interim.

The truck knows when it's cold out based on the thermostat. So, when it senses it is below freezing, it will engage the glow plugs. The colder it is, the longer it heats the plugs. So, if you remote start, you will notice it takes longer for the truck to start (the colder it is, the longer it takes).

 

[bigoilbob]

The truck knows when it's cold out based on the thermostat. So, when it senses it is below freezing, it will engage the glow plugs. The colder it is, the longer it heats the plugs. So, if you remote start, you will notice it takes longer for the truck to start (the colder it is, the longer it takes).

Thanks Burgess159. No, I didn't notice that. but probably because I wasn't paying close enough attention.

Temp 23F. I locked myself in and remote started. The glow plug light went on for ~6 seconds, and then the engine was cranked. Start was immediate. I could not see the glow plug light go out, but it might just be that the remote start coding sees it and reacts to it faster than I would have. My take away - the remote start does just as good of a job as I would do, and I'm going to continue to use it, no matter the weather. Unless, of course, it doesn't do the deed, in which case I'll try and get it going myself - somehow....