bobcat t190 needs heat to start

2004 bobcat t190- it is cold here(N.E. Ohio) but even overnight i have to get out the kerosene heater for about twenty minutes and tarp off the back end of the machine before it starts. it sounds like the glow plug relay is working. i never had a problem before. all other equipment starts like normal so its not too cold. my fuel is treated and i never use ether. any suggestions

Sounds like your glow plugs aren't working. Kubota engines struggle to start without glow plugs. You just need to do some electrical checks. Connnect a test light to where the wire connects to the first glow plug. Turn on ignition and see if you have power on the wire. If not, start going back through system looking for what's causing power loss.

If power is present, you need to test your glow plugs. There is a resistance reading you can do with an ohm meter, don't remember what it is though, Bobcat dealer may be able to tell you. Otherwise, you could remove the jumpers going from #1 to #4 glow plugs. Connect a heavy jumper wire from battery connection at starter to each glow plug individualy, check current flow on jumper wire with amp probe. Look for glow plug or plugs not pulling amps, or pulling very low amps indicating failed glow plug.

thanks, i was wondering if there was a way to test the glow plugs. are they easy to get to? never really had to work on this machine so its kinda new to me.

On that engine, they're not really hard to get to. When you open the rear door, you can see the engine air intake manifold right in front of you. The glow plugs are located between intake manifold and engine valve cover.

I would test the glow plugs with an ohmmeter from the wire connection to ground. Should read a couple of ohms, all should be about even, look for any that are open (very high resistance).

I would be careful jumping the glo plugs from the battery, most can tolerate that but I know that the glo plugs in a 6.2 gm diesel start to melt down after about 15 seconds, they are supposed to be cycled on and off by a timer and solenoid. DAMHIKT.
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i have taken them out and put power and ground to them to see if they glow within 10 seconds or so usually unhook about the time you see a faint red. Not the best way to test them but you can see if they are at least trying to work

t-190

Check the glow plug relay under your feet, Does the number countdown on the dash?
The relay in my 773g works its way loose and the glow plugs don't work.

For sure check that relay out. It is labeled in the fuse panel between your legs... try switching it with another relay as they are all the same. To avoid the tarp and heater situation, plug the block heater in. There is a plug hanging down when you open back door... kinda hidden behind starter and other things and has a cap on it. This will make a huge difference... just don't forget to unplug it when ya head out

ctheddy said:

For sure check that relay out. It is labeled in the fuse panel between your legs... try switching it with another relay as they are all the same. To avoid the tarp and heater situation, plug the block heater in. There is a plug hanging down when you open back door... kinda hidden behind starter and other things and has a cap on it. This will make a huge difference... just don't forget to unplug it when ya head out

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do all bobcats have a block heater? i quickly looked today as i had the same problem again. i have power to the glow plugs and switched out some relays. but i already had it warmed up. i was in a bit of a hurry, also i disconnected all the grounds and cleaned and tightend everything. the only thing i really noticed was negative battery terminal wasnt super tight, but why wouldnt that affect anything else. i will find out tomorrow or sunday if what i did worked

Block heater is an option not standard equipment, easy enough to install one though. I believe on that machine you replace one of the freeze plugs in the head with the heater.

In my area, I've never seen a Kubota in a Bobcat with block heater, heater is just not necessary, glow plugs start them fine even in below freezing temps. Also, Kubota engines struggle to start if the glow plugs aren't working proper or at all. Got to make sure your glow plugs work.