I've had one of those in my 300D for about 5 years now, it works well. Just one word of caution, if you take lots of very short trips you may find the battery running down because the alternator has trouble keeping up with the post-glow demand while charging the battery. It's not an issue if you drive more than a few minutes after starting the car.

How did you arrive at that conclusion?

By reading the information posted by Fastlane for their Hella pre-glow time-relay.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Could you post a link? I can't seem to find any reference that states that the Hella relay operates in the "afterglow" mode or that it requires different glow plugs.

This is definitely not true for all W123 year models.

http://catalog.peachparts.com/item.wws?sku=W0133-1606169&itempk=76207&mfr=Bosch&weight=0.94

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

Thanks. But that is a Bosch part, not Hella.

I thought only Bosch had an afterglow relay for the W123.

__________________
1985 300D cali 190K

http://mercedes.thatchermathias.com/mw300d.jpg

My search was for my '84 300TD. On one Fastlane page, below the Bosch relay, was listed an optional Hella Preglow time-relay, Part# 1331607146, for $193.50
I'll let someone else figure out what's the difference.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Is Hella better than Bosch?

I've got Bosch units in both my SD's, they are probably original. Seem to be working flawlessly (the one needed the terminals cleaned)

I've no complaints.

__________________
Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


82 300SD 145k
89 420SEL 210k
89 560SEL 118k
90 300SE 262k RIP 5/25/2010
90 560SEL 154k
91 300D 2.5 Turbo. 241k
93 190E 3.0 235k
93 300E 195k

That approach seems to be a bit inconsistent with your "Happy Motoring" philosophy. Anyone buying a Hella relay and thinking they are getting an afterglow unit isn't going to be happy. Neither is their wallet.

There was no explanation on the page for the difference. Maybe the Bosch is made in Singapore, while the Hella is still made in Germany.
Maybe someone could call Phil for an explanation.
Meanwhile, as I mentioned, I already got spare glowplug relays at the Pick-N-Pull

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Guys, help me understand this. I live in the tropics (practically speaking) and detailed operation of the glow plug relay has always been low on my list.

The standard pre-glow relay operates the glow plugs for a variable, temperature dependent time period. There was a later change in the relay that keeps the plugs lit for a period of time after startup? Also dependent on temperatures? Do I have this right?

__________________
Bob
'82 300D Petrol B-G Metallic

The Fastlane page said for up to three minutes after startup, to reduce smoking during warmup. It appears to require replacing the original glowplugs with a different type. Probably not an issue in a warm climate, but now I wonder if the standard glowplug relay is NLA.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I thought I'd post some photos of my fried Glow Plug Relay. Any ideas what would have caused this?







I've replaced all five plugs and will check the wiring harness to make sure my ground is good. Is there anything else I should check before dropping in a replacement relay?

Attached Thumbnails

     

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1982 300TD

Everything I know about cars I learned from PeachParts.

Man, there was some serious heat going on in there. strange the fuse wouldn`t have blown to protect it.

Possibly a component inside the relay failed, but not drawing enough current to blow the strip fuse.

You can pick up a used one from PNP for around $10 to see if it was the relay or something else causing the problem, before buying a new one. but I`ll put my money on something in the old relay causing the heat.

Charlie

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works