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I have a 1994 F-350 (pre-PSD) with a Banks Turbocharger on it. I turned my ignition on this morning, (before starting the engine) and saw smoke coming from under the hood. I turned the key off, lifted the hood, and saw flames. I ran inside to get something to put it out, but by the time I got back out to the truck, the fire was out. Upon inspection, it looks as if one of the glow plugs caught on fire. The insulation is gone from the wire leading to the gp, and the wire has actually split. I pulled the wire from the tubing, and it's burned back about 6 inches.
I would like to avoid a towing charge, so my first question is, for the time being, can I disable the glow plugs so that I can drive it up to the store to get a new plug, or the shop to get it replaced (depending on how comfortable I feel doing it myself)?
My second question is, if I can disable the gps, is there a problem with leaving it this way? I'm in Florida, and we don't have much of a cold issue here, so I'm not sure I even need the gps at all, given the fact that I park in a garage.
Yes you can disconnect the plugs to go to the shop or store, but you should go ahead and fix them to avoid all the wear and tear on the expensive starter. It is easier to start with the plugs working...
I would think the glow plug shorted internally in which case you just need to repair whatever damage to the wiring, and replace the glow plug and you are good.