For Tim Leech (or anyone really!)

It's probably an OEM part, supplied to engine makers only.
There's a bit about it on their website:
Peter -- Peter & Rita Forbes Email: snipped-for-privacy@easynet.co.uk

Yes, you could well be right. It has a 'customer number' on it, MM436811. My excavator is an MM20, which is prolly more than a coincidence. There must be someone who stocks engine spares like water pumps and head gaskets so they could most likely obtain the control unit too - this is why I thought Tim could help, I bet he works on these engines from time to time. Mitsubishi don't seem to do excavators in the UK, mine is a grey import.
I could easily rig the glow plugs up on a switch to energise the heavy relay that powers them, but an assortment of people could end up driving the thing, would leave the switch on and burn out the glow plugs in 30 minutes flat. Failing that I could adapt one from a Diesel car but that's going to be a faff :-(
Julian.

Julian
I can't help much, but other makers use the Mitsubishi engine in their diggers. My Pel-Job has one, but it just has a push-button for the glow plugs, I doubt there's anything more than that & a relay. The main marinisers for the UK market are Vetus (Dutch) and Thorneycroft in Preston. The latter might be more approachable. I've got a Vetus/Mitsubishi in a boat which was burned out, as a temporary expedient I just have the heaters wired through a blade fuse holder & hold the fuse in for a few seconds! Strictly temporary & for my own use only, though.
You could try Middletons in City Road, Manchester (G E Middleton & co.), auto electrical people & very helpful
Tim

Thanks, I'll give them a try. I never thought of using a push-button for the switch, that's the obvious solution and would be pretty much idiot proof :-)
Julian.

Diamond Diesels might be able to help 683 690
Roger

Thornycroft are here:- I see their site was last updated Monday, 21 April, 19108.
Maybe they're in a different world or time frame?
Tim

Bingo, very helpful indeed, the part is in the post. DD are the main Mitsy engine dealers in the UK.
BTW they do all components for any Mitsubishi engine, ie boats, forklifts, excavators, generators etc and replacement engines too.
Cheers Julian.

Hi, My old T20 Ferguson diesel tractor uses a push button to energise the "In manifold" glow plug/coil.
The switch eventually gave up after about forty years.
I replaced it with a push button starter switch that were fitted on the early Land Rovers.
These switches handle the starting current so they will handle your glow plugs.
The switches are readily available from Land Rover specialists.
Hope this helps. Regards Richard.