Can I drive my car with glow plug warning light on?

You can probably drive safely with the Glow Plug Light on as long as you take it easy. But you do need to get it checked out. Always remember, your warning lights are trying to tell you something, and determining whether the message is serious or of little consequence is best left up to a qualified mechanic.

How does a glow plug indicator work?

The glowplug is a pencil-shaped piece of metal with a heating element at the tip. This heating element, when electrified, heats due to its electrical resistance and begins to emit light in the visible spectrum, hence the term glowplug. The visual effect is similar to the heating element in a toaster.

Why does a glow plug light come on?

If you have a Glow Plug Indicator flashing, it’s likely that your vehicle’s ECU (engine management unit) has detected a fault that can be related to the glow plugs, the glow plug light, the glow plug control module, or even sensors that aren’t directly related to the glow plug igniter itself necessarily.

What should glow plugs read?

The reading should be close to 12.5 Volts when the car is off and close to 13 Volts when the car is running. If this is not the case, check your battery or alternator before proceeding, since they may be the cause of the issue rather than the glow plugs.

Can you drive with bad glow plugs?

As you know, the diesel glow plug plays a vital role in making this ignition a success. If the plug is not functioning properly, there will likely be a misfire during ignition. You may still be able to drive your vehicle, but you will experience a downgrade from its normal performance.

How much does it cost to replace glow plugs?

If you have the tools, you can escape labor costs by changing the plugs yourself. If you want to prioritize convenience and do the job done correctly, you can pay mechanic labor costs of $90 to $200 to replace your glow plugs.

How much do new glow plugs cost?

Depending on the quality and brand, you can get a new glow plug for anywhere between $25 and $50. If you have the tools, you can escape labor costs by changing the plugs yourself.

How many glow plugs are in a diesel?

10 glow plugs
While petrol engines use spark plugs during ignition, diesel engines use glow plugs to start. The principal role of glow plugs is to heat up the air in a combustion chamber of a diesel engine to allow it to reach the necessary temperature. There may be as many as 10 glow plugs, one for each cylinder of the engine.

How much is it to replace glow plugs?

Glow Plug Replacement Cost If you want to prioritize convenience and do the job done correctly, you can pay mechanic labor costs of $90 to $200 to replace your glow plugs. Depending on the design of your engine and the mechanic’s expertise, the job can take up to two hours to complete.

How many volts do glow plugs need?

12V
Most glow plugs require 12V, though some use other voltages. Make sure the engine is cold, and the glow plugs are turned off. Disconnect the power cable from the glow plugs. If you don’t do this, your tester will be powering all the glow plugs instead of just one.