Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

bad glowplug controller?

Old Mar 3, 2022 | 05:56 PM
  #1  
7.3noob's Avatar
7.3noob
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
bad glowplug controller?

been running around town all day in my f350, injection pump is nearly gone and have to pour water on it to start it, last few starts today glow plug light stayed on for 20-30 seconds or so, then after the last start today (I didnt dare shut it off till I got home) the light stayed on, never went out during about an hour of driving, got home, shut the truck off, turned back to run and the light once again wouldnt go out, felt the wire on the number 5 plug and it was cool, didnt check others, but this tells me either: bad glow plugs and no resistance, or bad controller


any ideas?
if it is the controller, is there any specific ones that are better than others? ive tossed around the idea of wiring it into a push button, but not sure I want to do that just yet
 
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2022 | 06:38 AM
  #2  
Olds64's Avatar
Olds64
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,963
Likes: 512
From: Edmond, OK
MAW wire it to a push button. I replaced the controller on my 6.9l with a new one and it only lasted a few months. I even had to get a new set of wrenches so I could remove the controller from the head (1 1/16" I think). Of course the 7.3l controller is different. If you wire it to a push button make sure you put the switch on the ground of the controller. Good luck.
 
Reply
Old Mar 4, 2022 | 06:43 AM
  #3  
7.3noob's Avatar
7.3noob
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
the controller always has power, and always sends power, but cannot complete a circuit without grounding correct?

I thought if you grounded it (white wire ive been told) that would just let it run a cycle, I was imagining bypassing it entirely, but if it will run for as long as I hold the button (10 sec max) then I guess I will do it
also, if the controller is bad (light now blinks) then wouldnt that also mean powering it does nothing?

pardon my ignorance, ive had this thing a month
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2022 | 11:08 AM
  #4  
4drocket's Avatar
4drocket
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 290
Likes: 27
From: california's farmland
https://www.dieselhub.com/maintenanc...ug-switch.html

i did mine and i like it, not too difficult,
 
Reply
Old Mar 8, 2022 | 04:11 PM
  #5  
7.3noob's Avatar
7.3noob
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
update: running the plugs by jumping the relay with a wrench

update 2: buying spare belts, alternator belt went, took my fan belt off, lost fan, power steering, charging, and vacuum for the brakes... found out at a red light on the highway, with a loaded trailer

good times

 
Reply
Old Mar 9, 2022 | 08:16 PM
  #6  
Nathan Fuentes's Avatar
Nathan Fuentes
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 16
From: Fratt, TX
Originally Posted by 4drocket
https://www.dieselhub.com/maintenanc...ug-switch.html

i did mine and i like it, not too difficult,
i wired mine similarly but i left the blue wire and white wire intact but for some reason it will not heat the plugs.... you can hear the solenoid click on when i press the button but when i cycle it (originally 10 seconds then 15 then up to 45) it still wont start oh and these are brand new GP's... any reason why if the solenoid clicks ON that it wouldn't heat the plugs??
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2022 | 11:43 AM
  #7  
4drocket's Avatar
4drocket
Tuned
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 290
Likes: 27
From: california's farmland
im not sure, i followed the instructions on that link i sent and mine works well, are they motorcraft gp? i know others can cause problems. maybe cut those wires u left attached? good luck
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2022 | 02:35 PM
  #8  
Nathan Fuentes's Avatar
Nathan Fuentes
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 16
From: Fratt, TX
Originally Posted by 4drocket
im not sure, i followed the instructions on that link i sent and mine works well, are they motorcraft gp? i know others can cause problems. maybe cut those wires u left attached? good luck
the shop guy told me thats all they use for the older fords so it could possibly be the non cut wires... guess ill have to give them a try...
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-6

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 11, 2022 | 04:49 PM
  #9  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
check to see if there is power out of the relay when the button is pushed. you may very well have a bad relay.
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2022 | 05:30 PM
  #10  
Nathan Fuentes's Avatar
Nathan Fuentes
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 16
From: Fratt, TX
Originally Posted by tjc transport
check to see if there is power out of the relay when the button is pushed. you may very well have a bad relay.
well when i push the button i can hear the solenoid "click" so i assume that it is transferring power to the GP's... i need to check it to make sure the solenoid is transferring the power ....oh the fun of having a older vehicle....
 
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2022 | 06:16 AM
  #11  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
not all the time. there is very high current flowing through the relay. when you hear the "click" it is the contact plates closing. the contact plates get carbon arc from the high current.
they also spin a little bit each time applied. if they do not move, they continue to arc causing a no contact situation.
thin of crossing battery terminals with a wrench that black melted spot on the wrench is carbon arc. do it enough times in the same spots, and eventually they will no longer make contact.
 
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2022 | 04:55 PM
  #12  
Nathan Fuentes's Avatar
Nathan Fuentes
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 144
Likes: 16
From: Fratt, TX
Originally Posted by tjc transport
not all the time. there is very high current flowing through the relay. when you hear the "click" it is the contact plates closing. the contact plates get carbon arc from the high current.
they also spin a little bit each time applied. if they do not move, they continue to arc causing a no contact situation.
thin of crossing battery terminals with a wrench that black melted spot on the wrench is carbon arc. do it enough times in the same spots, and eventually they will no longer make contact.
​​​​​​hmmm well ill have to give it a check sometime this week. what voltage should it be on the other side when active?
 
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2022 | 06:08 PM
  #13  
tjc transport's Avatar
tjc transport
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,507
Likes: 5,563
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
Club FTE Gold Member
depends on battery condition. . if the glow plugs are on could be as low as 9-10 volts.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
drs1023
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Mar 12, 2017 10:19 AM
pauleouellette
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
7
Sep 3, 2015 02:54 PM
West
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
3
Oct 8, 2007 10:53 PM
kmill35
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
4
Jul 6, 2004 01:41 PM
Scratch
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Sep 5, 2003 02:01 PM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:43 AM.

story-0
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-02 21:45:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-5
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-9
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE