smoking glowplug controller

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Apr 4, 2004 | 09:08 PM

Fordhound

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Joined: Oct 2003

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smoking glowplug controller

I have an 88 7.3 4x4 that all of a sudden smoked the controller and the power solenoid on the passengern side fender well. i just put in new glow plugs and new controller and solenoid, but it seems ready to do it all over again if i leave the key on.any ideas what is going on here, is there a sensor for the glow plugs that has gone or what?

Apr 4, 2004 | 11:28 PM

Dave Sponaugle

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From: Nutter Fort, WV

The 88 controller is not controlled by coolant temp, but by the resistance of the glowplugs. They change resistance in relation to their temperature and this controls how long they will be on.
This makes me say that either you have a shorted glow plug harness or a broken wire in the harness.
There is also the possibility that you got some defective plugs.
Did you install Motorcraft/Beru plugs?

Your controller and relay is on the passenger side fenderwell? They should be on the rear of the intake manifold, drivers side of center.
Is it properly grounded?

This is one of the reasons I elected to go to manual glow plug control many years ago.