Glow plug control unit?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 250
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From: Vancouver, WA
Glow plug control unit?
Hello! I'm fairly new to diesels but I'm learning more each day. This website has been particularly useful. Well I'm having some cold starting problems with my 88' 7.3L N/A. My first response was to repalce the glow plugs this cured the hard start for about 4 months. Then I ignored the problem until cold weather came back around. Since then I have replaced the glow plugs one other time and they too went out in about 3-4 months. Last weekend I tested my control unit with a test light hooked up to the test terminal of the control unit and grounded to negative on my baterry. The light lit with in the time frame that my manual gave me for cold start (15 seconds) but then I warmed my truck up and tested it again to find that it lit for about the same amount of time as the cold start. Does any one know if having all but 1 or 2 glow plugs bad would cause a false reading for this test.
Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated! Thank You!
Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated! Thank You!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 250
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From: Vancouver, WA
Thank You for your response! My wait to start light only stays on for about 2 seconds warm or cold.
When I was runing my test with the test light I never actually started the engine during testing I just turned the key to the start position to see how long the plugs were cycling. I just want to be sure it is the control unit before I buy one so that I'm not throwing away money.
When I was runing my test with the test light I never actually started the engine during testing I just turned the key to the start position to see how long the plugs were cycling. I just want to be sure it is the control unit before I buy one so that I'm not throwing away money.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,038
Likes: 2
From: Spokane WA
Heres a thought to ponder. I dont own a ford diesel 
I own an old chebby burb with a 6.2 in it)(dont flame me i love it, only chebby ill ever own) anyhow..... I have bypassed the glow plug controller with a Switch in the cab, I control the glow plugs, its a momentary switch so that they dont get forgotten and left on.
Just a thought, some wire and a switch is a lot cheaper than a new GP controller, and more reliable too.
I also bought Quik Heat glow plugs from here:
http://www.kennedydiesel.com/
They also sell ford stuff. Shoot em an email if you odnt see what you want, they were very helpful
And by the way, Welcome to FTE
I own an old chebby burb with a 6.2 in it)(dont flame me i love it, only chebby ill ever own) anyhow..... I have bypassed the glow plug controller with a Switch in the cab, I control the glow plugs, its a momentary switch so that they dont get forgotten and left on.Just a thought, some wire and a switch is a lot cheaper than a new GP controller, and more reliable too.
I also bought Quik Heat glow plugs from here:
http://www.kennedydiesel.com/
They also sell ford stuff. Shoot em an email if you odnt see what you want, they were very helpful
And by the way, Welcome to FTE
Last edited by Icicle; Apr 6, 2004 at 05:14 PM. Reason: forgot to welcome the New Guy to FTE!!!!!!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 250
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From: Vancouver, WA
Thanks for the info! I'll look into it. I can't knock chevy either. My first rig was a '71 chev, "longhorn" with a stock 350 and TH 400 w/shift kit. It ties for favorite with me '88 ford.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Manual is the only way to go, if the motor is warm you just start the truck and save the plugs for when it is cold. I am in and out of my truck lots starting and stopping the motor. On manual they last for 2 years. When the controller was in control they lasted for 3 to 4 months.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
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From: France
GP manual switch diagram
Here is a link to the GP bypass diagram if you need.
Saigon
http://www.members.shaw.ca/k2pilot/G...%20diagram.jpg
Very important:
Use only a temporary switch which will spring back to the "off" position or one day you will forget and leave it on !!!!!!
Flip the switch and count to 6 and fire up, works everytime!!
Saigon
http://www.members.shaw.ca/k2pilot/G...%20diagram.jpg
Very important:
Use only a temporary switch which will spring back to the "off" position or one day you will forget and leave it on !!!!!!
Flip the switch and count to 6 and fire up, works everytime!!
Last edited by Saigon; Apr 7, 2004 at 08:04 AM. Reason: add-on
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Vancouver, WA
Thank you everyone for your ideas and help! I'll see if I can get something done this weekend and keep you all posted. It'll be nice to ditch that 20' extension cord I've been carrying around in my tool box. 
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
If you are not using the Motocraft glow plugs you are waisting your money. The other plug makes just don't last like the ofrd originals. If your light only stays on for a few seconds you have burnt glow plugs again.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
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From: France
gp's
Dont agree with Thunderbird !!! I used motorcrafts a while back and had all kinds of problems,swelling tips,broken tips and whatnot,I use Beru now and havent changed a plug in about a year!! (I do have the manual switch now)
Saigon
Saigon
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Well I have some bad news for you Saigon the Motocraft plugs are made by Beru and have the same number. If you look on the Ford ones they actually have a Beru part number. So I guess you must have had bad luck.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: France
Ok,
I wont look into it as I dumped all my motorcrafts.On the other hand when you subcontract a product, you usually use cheaper materials to get the production costs down, I guess that's what Beru must be doing for Ford Motorcraft.
Saigon
I wont look into it as I dumped all my motorcrafts.On the other hand when you subcontract a product, you usually use cheaper materials to get the production costs down, I guess that's what Beru must be doing for Ford Motorcraft.
Saigon
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Hey Saigon did you read the posts. The bag the plugs come in has a Motocraft # on it but inside you get only a Beru # and it is the same as the Beru # if you bought them from Beru so they are the same identical product, end of story.