Bj42 - what is this vent/hole for ?

[Beast II]

Inside my 82 BJ42 there is this hole/vent/light enclosure (center of the picture) to the left of the steering wheel. Is this supposed to be a light to tell me when the glow plugs are hot enough to crank the engine ? Or ?

[amaurer]

That is your glow plug light. Toyota calls it a glow controller, but its really just a coil of wire. When it glows red hot, you're good to crank.

(In reality, I find that I can easily start some time befoe that thingy lights up, depending on the outside and engine temperature.)

[Beast II]

Mine doesn't do anything. Guess I need a new one or perhaps the wiring is disconnected or corroded.

[amaurer]

Originally Posted by Beast II

Mine doesn't do anything. Guess I need a new one or perhaps the wiring is disconnected or corroded.

Common "problem", however trust me, its working. All of the current to your glow plugs flows through that glow controller (controller and plugs are connected in series) so if the wire is broken or disconnected your plugs wouldn't work at all.

Mine had such a fine layer of NZ soil on it that I couldn't see it glow until I opened and cleaned it. Plus it takes a good 25-30 seconds before it lights up, patience, grasshopper.

[jabxyz]

Hi,
As they have said it is your glow controller. Don't worry or try to replace it yet. Mine didn't work for three months until I had to replace the glow plugs then it lit up like Rudolph's nose on the Christmas Eve run with Santy.

[Beast II]

I generally just wait about 30 seconds after turning the key to the on position and then start it up. I figure that gives the glow plugs ample time to heat up. Is this a correct assumption ?

[tasnolan]

If the glow plugs are working correctly you wouldn't need anything like 30 seconds, 10 seconds max. Just a thought though, I like in a pretty hot climate and if you dont might take longer but 30 seconds seems excessive.

When it glows red hot, you're good to crank.

Mine works in the opposite way; light comes on while the plugs warm and then turns off when your good to crank.

[singletrackjunkie]

Check your glow plugs, if the weather is warm you can start up fine without it glowing. I had the same problem but when winter came I quickly found out that only two of four glow plugs were working and suddenly it didn't start so easy.