am having trouble starting my 1997 ford fiesta 1.8d when the engine is cold. I have put new battery and new glow plugs in it but still no difference. I had a mechanic look at it and he said to get a new glow plug relay which i did but again still same problem, it does eventually start with a cloude of black smoke!. They relay i got from ford was just a standard size but someone has told me it should be alot bigger than the rest because it has a timer built into it?, and they said its bolted onto the n/s wing?. Can anyone tell me if this is true and whats the actual name of the relay in need and also where to find it. thanks

james, February 2008

Where is the fuel filter I need to change mine?

Whisper, March 2013

hi anyone my fuse 27 under the bonnet keeps blowing every time i turn the ignition on can any one tell me what the problem is thanx

james s, September 2010

the problem is not relays or anything the problem is the fuel is taking air in and your diesel is going back to the tank these engines are notorious for it either fit a non return valve or a hand primer cost about 20 pound problem solved or fopr the more daring advance the fuel pump ever so slightly

mo, December 2008

I have the same problem and still at it today (recharging my battery). I have done what you have, did you check you were getting 12V on your glowplug bus wire, this will show whether the relay is switching or not, i.e. 12V on turn on and your relay is working. The other thing I have been thinking about is whether the fuel shut off solenoid is jamming intermittently which would starve fuel to the injection pump.

Also are your fuel filters ok, need replacing?

The black smoke could be your air filter being old and semi bunged up as this would cause oxygen starvation to the engine and hence over riich fuel when it finally starts causing the black smoke. Blue smoke is always more sinister as the engine could be on its way out.

I am going to have another go later when my battery is charged and will let you know if I find anything else.

Regards

Andrew

Andrew, September 2008

can i call u nigel?? can u email me ur number? crookie_20@hotmail or can do u want to call me and all call u bk??? need help with same problem thanks

james, February 2008

Forgot to say the glow plug relay timing is done by the ECU and not built into the relay

nigel, February 2008

Hi James, the glow plug relay is in the fuse box under the bonnet in the back right corner it is relay # 10 might be shown as X and is black in colour and is to the right of a green relay on the back row and the fuel heater relay is also in the same box it is relay# 3 might be shown as III and is brown in colour and is the second relay from the right on the front row, the fuse for the glow plugs is #36 60amp and is also in the same box and is the top fuse in the ones that run in the front to back layout and the fuel heater fuse is #27 15amp and is the 9th from the right of the front to back fuse's

nigel, February 2008