Abstract: A glow plug driver adapted to be coupled to a power supply and a glow plug comprising first and second conductive leads for coupling the glow plug to the power supply and an electronic switch in the first lead having conductive and nonconductive states so that pulses of electrical energy can be supplied to the glow plug. A resistor and a capacitor are coupled between the leads in parallel with the glow plug so that the capacitor can charge when the electronic switch is in the conductive state and discharge when the electronic switch is in the nonconductive state. A timer is used to place the electronic switch in the conductive state for a predetermined amount of time. The timer is in turn controlled by a transistor having its base coupled to a junction between the resistor and the capacitor.