Testing glow plug controller
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New User
Joined: Apr 2005
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Testing glow plug controller
How do you go about testing the glow plug controller on an 86. I purchased both the body and engine service manuals, but there isn't anything in there about how to test the components.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 250
Likes: 6
From: new york
I think 86 has the controller that screws in the head on the drivers side. are you having starting problems? For the controllers I dont know if there is a simple testing procedure with an ohm meter. Make sure all the glow plugs test good, grounds are good, and all connections are clean. Then there is a cycle time chart you compare to, I dont know the values but it something like at 40 degrees the glow plugs should be on for 10-14 seconds if not replace it.
I had one that went bad. stayed on too long fried all 8 glow plugs, the one I have now is bad the other way, only stays on for a couple seconds but I added a push button switch to aid in starting
I had one that went bad. stayed on too long fried all 8 glow plugs, the one I have now is bad the other way, only stays on for a couple seconds but I added a push button switch to aid in starting
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Get a Haynes Diesel Engine book, there is about 4 pages with pictures on the test procedure.
The bad thing is you have to get the old one out of the head. That is not easy to do where it is located. Also if it breaks off, you have to remove the head to get it out and stop the coolant leak. I would soak it down with PB Blaster for a couple of days before I tried to turn it, remember it has been there and not moved in 20 years.
That is one of the main reasons I went with a manual system on mine. When mine went out, it turned the glow plugs on while driving down the road. Toasted all of them twice in two days time. I have only replaced 4 glow plugs in the last 4 years since it has been manual control.
The bad thing is you have to get the old one out of the head. That is not easy to do where it is located. Also if it breaks off, you have to remove the head to get it out and stop the coolant leak. I would soak it down with PB Blaster for a couple of days before I tried to turn it, remember it has been there and not moved in 20 years.
That is one of the main reasons I went with a manual system on mine. When mine went out, it turned the glow plugs on while driving down the road. Toasted all of them twice in two days time. I have only replaced 4 glow plugs in the last 4 years since it has been manual control.
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New User
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Thanks for the replies. I had a used one I wanted to test before installing. Went ahead and installed it anyway.....seems to be working fine. Both controllers came out without any problems....guess I was lucky,huh?
