fat controller
02-11-2013, 04:44 PM
A family member has a 2004 Honda Accord 2.2i-CDTi which has (and has had for a while) a flashing glow plug light on the dash. The car starts and runs just fine, has no lack of power, no smoke - to all intents there is nothing wrong. However, the glowplug light flashes continuously, and an OBD II scan shows a fault code of P1030, which is indicating a fault with the fuel system. Emissions are clear also, as it has just passed its MOT.
Local Honda dealer confirmed the fault code last week, and suggested that it 'might' be a faulty fuel pre-heater, however they would only find out after fitting a new one to the tune of numerous hundreds of pounds. He managed to obtain a pre-heater from a specialist breaker, which was fitted this afternoon. Thereafter, fault codes were cleared and then the car was restarted - within 30 seconds or so, the light was back flashing again. A further code read shows the same P1030 code.
We checked all the connections to the glow plugs and injectors, and all appear to be fine. In case there was an open or shorted glowplug, I checked the continuity by touching the contact on the centre of the plug whilst having the other probe attached to a nearby earth strap - each glowplug showed the same resistance (2 ohms) which I assume is OK? Admittedly, I checked these in situ as we didn't have a 12mm socket deep enough to get one of the blighters out.
His next move is likely to be throwing a set of glow plugs at it, or trying to find and replace the fuel heater relay - however, I am not convinced that this 'hit and hope' approach is going to do much more than empty his wallet - - - so, I turn to the usual font of automotive knowledge; all help/advice/suggestions gratefully received.
Local Honda dealer confirmed the fault code last week, and suggested that it 'might' be a faulty fuel pre-heater, however they would only find out after fitting a new one to the tune of numerous hundreds of pounds. He managed to obtain a pre-heater from a specialist breaker, which was fitted this afternoon. Thereafter, fault codes were cleared and then the car was restarted - within 30 seconds or so, the light was back flashing again. A further code read shows the same P1030 code.
We checked all the connections to the glow plugs and injectors, and all appear to be fine. In case there was an open or shorted glowplug, I checked the continuity by touching the contact on the centre of the plug whilst having the other probe attached to a nearby earth strap - each glowplug showed the same resistance (2 ohms) which I assume is OK? Admittedly, I checked these in situ as we didn't have a 12mm socket deep enough to get one of the blighters out.
His next move is likely to be throwing a set of glow plugs at it, or trying to find and replace the fuel heater relay - however, I am not convinced that this 'hit and hope' approach is going to do much more than empty his wallet - - - so, I turn to the usual font of automotive knowledge; all help/advice/suggestions gratefully received.