help with glow plug problem

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Feb 10, 2006 | 06:35 PM

F350flatbed

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From: Eastern Washington State

help with glow plug problem

I wonder if anybody could give me some information troubleshooting a glow plug problem I'm having with my truck. I'm running the pre-stroke 7.3 idi in a 1993 F350. The controller cycles on for about 3 seconds when cold; then cycles on and off repeatedly for another 15 to 20 seconds, even when the truck is started. I wonder if this is an easy fix, also have a friend who bypassed his controller on his 6.9 and installed a button on his dash; and I wonder if I can do this for my 1993 7.3? any information would be great!

Feb 10, 2006 | 06:42 PM

tjc transport

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

your controler is working, because it is cycling. it sounds like your glow plugs are bad.

Feb 10, 2006 | 06:54 PM

F350flatbed

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From: Eastern Washington State

Would that do that if one of them was bad, or 2, or all? How many does it take to make it cycle like that? I've been told to check them with a circuit tester?

Feb 10, 2006 | 07:00 PM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

not realy sure how many have to be bad for it to happen. my 88 went from 14 seconds to 4 seconds in the past 3-4 months. i just bought 8 new plugs today, and am going to change them this weekend. they are the originals, and i can't see changing 1 or 2 today, and then going back and changing a few more later. 18 years is a good run, so i am just doing it one time and then i will be done with it for another 18 years, i hope.

Feb 10, 2006 | 07:03 PM

F350flatbed

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From: Eastern Washington State

wow; I feel kinda stupid for not checking that before; I believe I need to check that with a circuit tester, don't I? If they're grounded, then they're good, right? THANKS!

Feb 10, 2006 | 07:20 PM

tjc transport

i ain't rite

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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.

again, i have no idea, i have never changed them, or even tested to see if they are good. they worked, then slowly stopped. the controller cycles, so its good. and if i plug it in, it fires rite up, so i know the plugs gave up the ghost.

Feb 10, 2006 | 07:33 PM

trike1946

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From: NJ where fun comes to die

It only takes a few bad ones to short the cycle time. Change them all and only use motorcraft/beru. Nothing else. Use anti seize on the threads and be careful of the torque. Use a compressor to clean the area around the gps before you pull them out so the dirt doesn't go into the cylinder.