On Wed, 19 Nov 2003, Jay L Snyder wrote:

> You should wait for the glow plugs to go out before cranking!  On my '89
> Jetta I can hear the relay click.  It is a few seconds after the glow plug
> light goes out.  I would be very surprised if the glow plugs operate when
> the starter is engaged--practically everything is cut off by the ignition
> switch when the starter is cranking.

The glow plugs are on during cranking by design.  I've seen references to
this in a few different places, so it's not just mine that does it. ;)
This is one of the reasons it's important to have a good battery in a
diesel -- during cranking you're powering 48 amps worth of glow plugs as
well as the starter.

David Brodbeck, N8SRE
'82 Diesel Westfalia
'94 Honda Civic Si -- For Sale
'86 Volvo 240DL wagon