Glow plug problem
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Northern Az
Glow plug problem
One of my trucks (the easiest one to start) lost the glow plug a couple of days ago. I went out to start it, and the light came on for a fraction of a second and it just clicks 10 or 12 times really fast. I thought the controller had gone bad, so I called the company I got it from 6 months ago and they sent me a new one. That was great of them, BUT it is still doing the same thing. The day before it worked perfect. My thought is one of my glowplugs must have a dead short or something. They are new about 6 months ago just like the controller. Anyone have any knowledge about whats going on. My next step was going to be switch the controllers from one of my other idi's to make sure I didnt get a second bad controller, and then start pulling glowplugs. But with everything being as new as it is and the fact that it happened litterally overnight, could it be something else? Thanks Van
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
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From: Northern Az
I read your write up. Thank you. I do understand how they work. But Are you saying that all 8 of my new glow plugs are bad, or does it just take one bad one to make it do this? Is it unusual for them to go bad overnight like this? Is it normal for them to only last 6 months? The reason I thought it was something else was the fact that the system is almost brand new and has been functioning perfectly for 6 months or so. Thanks Van
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
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From: West Des Moines, IA
What brand of glow plug did you use? Some last for years, others last as short as ONE SINGLE USE.
Anyway. A single bad glow plug will cause the controller to lose it's ***** and it won't power any of the plugs. Time to do some testing on your part and find your bad plug(s).
Anyway. A single bad glow plug will cause the controller to lose it's ***** and it won't power any of the plugs. Time to do some testing on your part and find your bad plug(s).
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
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Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see in your OP that you replaced the glow plugs, just the controller.
But anyway, on the new system, '87-'94, if you have more than one dead glow plug the controller short-cycles as to not overload the good GPs and burn them out as well.
So start with testing them individually before throwing new parts in it. Anything can be dead new out of the box, even the forum-coveted Motorcrafts.
But anyway, on the new system, '87-'94, if you have more than one dead glow plug the controller short-cycles as to not overload the good GPs and burn them out as well.
So start with testing them individually before throwing new parts in it. Anything can be dead new out of the box, even the forum-coveted Motorcrafts.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: West Des Moines, IA
One of my trucks (the easiest one to start) lost the glow plug a couple of days ago. I went out to start it, and the light came on for a fraction of a second and it just clicks 10 or 12 times really fast. I thought the controller had gone bad, so I called the company I got it from 6 months ago and they sent me a new one. That was great of them, BUT it is still doing the same thing. The day before it worked perfect. My thought is one of my glowplugs must have a dead short or something. They are new about 6 months ago just like the controller. Anyone have any knowledge about whats going on. My next step was going to be switch the controllers from one of my other idi's to make sure I didnt get a second bad controller, and then start pulling glowplugs. But with everything being as new as it is and the fact that it happened litterally overnight, could it be something else? Thanks Van
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 54
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From: Northern Az
Thanks for the help. That is what i figured. Start testing glow plugs. I used a brand I found on the net called Diesel rx. Think I got them from pensecoola diesel as a set with the new controller. Really sucks when you are trying to bring your truck back to new, and you think you have checked something off the list by replacing every part in the system, just to find out your new parts are *****. Really pisses me off.
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Logistics Pro
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Okay, you're right, he did. Like I said, I might have missed it, I did. My eyes are old and I don't always catch everything on the screen.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
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From: West Des Moines, IA
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: West Des Moines, IA
Thanks for the help. That is what i figured. Start testing glow plugs. I used a brand I found on the net called Diesel rx. Think I got them from pensecoola diesel as a set with the new controller. Really sucks when you are trying to bring your truck back to new, and you think you have checked something off the list by replacing every part in the system, just to find out your new parts are *****. Really pisses me off.
The only plug that's guaranteed to work for you (as long as all other parts are working properly as well) is the Beru/Motorcraft ZD9 plug.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Northern Az
Were do you get them?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
Likes: 3
From: West Des Moines, IA
Go to https://www.rockauto.com/ , part number search tab, and search ZD9.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 594
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From: West Des Moines, IA
Partly assuming on my part, but more from knowing about this little tidbit:
Same thing as the OP was describing. Not that I was relying on other posts to come to my conclusion about the OP's truck's year, but it helped to have the backup confirmation.
Same thing as the OP was describing. Not that I was relying on other posts to come to my conclusion about the OP's truck's year, but it helped to have the backup confirmation.
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