Glow plug controller question.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 25
From: Michiana
Glow plug controller question.
Still a newbie with my 1997 7.3. Having some cold weather starting problems. Glow plugs replaced a while back. Only had the truck a little over a year.
Going to replace the GP relay. Does the 97 have a GP controller??? If so where?? Or is it controlled from the computer??? I am finding controllers for the newer trucks and the older ones. Then AZ is selling them for the powerstrokes and a reviewer has posted the one shown is for a 6.0... Go figure.
What controls the amount of time the relay is on???
Seems like the truck has always had trouble starting below freezing if it wasn't plugged in. Now I am having trouble today and it was about 60 this morning.
Going to replace the GP relay. Does the 97 have a GP controller??? If so where?? Or is it controlled from the computer??? I am finding controllers for the newer trucks and the older ones. Then AZ is selling them for the powerstrokes and a reviewer has posted the one shown is for a 6.0... Go figure.
What controls the amount of time the relay is on???
Seems like the truck has always had trouble starting below freezing if it wasn't plugged in. Now I am having trouble today and it was about 60 this morning.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
The PCM controls the glow plug relay, based on EOT. When they're working properly, you can see it with the volt gauge on the dash; it moves up (to the right) when the GPs cycle off. Run time is up to two minutes on a cold engine.
Best bang for the buck GP relay is a Western Plow 56131K. Same price or less than the NAPA, cheaper than the Stancor, and rated similar to Stancor for on-time and current draw.
Best bang for the buck GP relay is a Western Plow 56131K. Same price or less than the NAPA, cheaper than the Stancor, and rated similar to Stancor for on-time and current draw.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 25
From: Michiana
I just checked with NAPA the GPR is 78$.
BTW the truck always started weird when cold. (under 60 degrees) I wonder if the EOT sensor could be out of range?? To me it always seems to start rich. Always blows smoke when first started. Was thinking maybe its age.
Thanks for the help guys.
BTW the truck always started weird when cold. (under 60 degrees) I wonder if the EOT sensor could be out of range?? To me it always seems to start rich. Always blows smoke when first started. Was thinking maybe its age.
Thanks for the help guys.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 25
From: Michiana
About the same temp this morning. I let the plugs run for a while longer and it fired right up.
BTW during a normal day, cold start, 60-70 temp, how long do you let the GPs run before you crank the engine??
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
GPR 110 's are much more . I have had both. I have opened both of them . No difference in size or weight . Contacts looked the same as well as the one from ford . I was told the 110 was nitrogen filled ???
The Stancor is the way to go .Once it closes , it stays closed . I had a 109 every 6 to 10 months .( they did have a 1 year warrantee ) Had the stancor for a few years now
The Stancor is the way to go .Once it closes , it stays closed . I had a 109 every 6 to 10 months .( they did have a 1 year warrantee ) Had the stancor for a few years now
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
With the Napa relays, it took me 4 in 2 years to get a good one, the last one on my 250 has been going strong since 2011, and is probably going to migrate to my 350 now that I'm putting it together.
Also, the relay with pigtail is considerably cheaper than one without, which makes no sense at all...
Also, the relay with pigtail is considerably cheaper than one without, which makes no sense at all...
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
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From: Gilbert, PA
I am a fan of the Western relay #56131K $14 and outlasted every other brand I have used(I never used a stancher not will I for the price they charge)
I always keep the Western relays in stock for new projects.
But 1st you want to TEST your current relay to see if it is bad or not
I always keep the Western relays in stock for new projects.
But 1st you want to TEST your current relay to see if it is bad or not
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
I am a fan of the Western relay #56131K $14 and outlasted every other brand I have used(I never used a stancher not will I for the price they charge)
I always keep the Western relays in stock for new projects.
But 1st you want to TEST your current relay to see if it is bad or not
I always keep the Western relays in stock for new projects.
But 1st you want to TEST your current relay to see if it is bad or not
Have you ever had one fail as a GPR ?
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Not once and I have been using them for over 10 years. Wish I could say that for the Ford, IH or NAPA ones that typically fail within a year or 2
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 76
From: Gilbert, PA
Try the Western relay, I am sure you will be happy. And by Western relay I mean a Western brand relay, not a aftermarket substitute
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
I've had a stancor for a while or I would . We'll see how it holds up. My western plow relay has been on the truck since I got it in 06.
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 345
Likes: 25
From: Michiana
Well darn it. I checked the glow plugs on the passenger side, out of 4, 3 were bad. Aftermarket generics go figure. Went to the drivers side. Bad to worse. First one the wire going to it was way up in the air. ??? I thought it was disconnected. Nope the center of the glow plug came loose and was sticking out close to an inch. ?? Well That one is bad... By the time I got to the rear one it was stuck. Tight to unscrew. Hmm got it unscrewed and still could not get it out. I removed the rocker next to it and with a pair of vise grips twisted and pulled. Yea one piece. She is got a new set of motorcrafts.
So I was wondering about the one that the top separated. Wondering if it could have damaged a fuse or fusible link. I unplugged the valve cover connector and used a test light. Hit the key and it came on. Great... Then shut the key off and walked to the front of the truck and the test light is still on... Ack worried about the other new GPS.... Quick thump of the relay with a screwdriver handle and it went out. whew...
Now on to a new relay. Going to shoot for a western everyone talks about. Got a couple places to check tomorrow. Hot lead to relay disconnected for now.
So I was wondering about the one that the top separated. Wondering if it could have damaged a fuse or fusible link. I unplugged the valve cover connector and used a test light. Hit the key and it came on. Great... Then shut the key off and walked to the front of the truck and the test light is still on... Ack worried about the other new GPS.... Quick thump of the relay with a screwdriver handle and it went out. whew...
Now on to a new relay. Going to shoot for a western everyone talks about. Got a couple places to check tomorrow. Hot lead to relay disconnected for now.
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