Glow plug system shot
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Junior User
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Glow plug system shot
HI folks.
Now that I've finally got my block heater installed. . . . .
Well, the block heater is a nice touch, but the glow plugs are more important that I had imagined. I assume the glow plugs aren't working, the wait to start lamp turns on, but there is no plug cycling if I don't crank the starter over. That and I noticed that the plug harness broke off one of the plugs, I am assuming that it's just the harness. Seeing as how I don't want to shell out the $400 to the dealer, is it possible to put a harness together oneself, or is it worth the money to buy a new one. I'm planning on replacing the relay and all the plugs too, but the wiring harness is a must before I can get my truck to move.
Is it possible for any of you to get a wiring diagram up here for me?
Thanks.
Now that I've finally got my block heater installed. . . . .
Well, the block heater is a nice touch, but the glow plugs are more important that I had imagined. I assume the glow plugs aren't working, the wait to start lamp turns on, but there is no plug cycling if I don't crank the starter over. That and I noticed that the plug harness broke off one of the plugs, I am assuming that it's just the harness. Seeing as how I don't want to shell out the $400 to the dealer, is it possible to put a harness together oneself, or is it worth the money to buy a new one. I'm planning on replacing the relay and all the plugs too, but the wiring harness is a must before I can get my truck to move.
Is it possible for any of you to get a wiring diagram up here for me?
Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Las Vegas, Nevada
If you wish to purchase a harness, try www.mwfi.com, harness for '83 to '87 for $230, later model 7.3 for about $300.
I haven't done it yet, but appears to be pretty straightforward to peel back plastic wire covers, and make your own, if you have any electrical know-how. So far, mine work, but they look pretty well hardened, will attempt upon engine RR. But to be honest, would pay $250, if that was the difference between working glowplugs and not.
Certainly one of our more electrically-inclined PPS brethren have done so. Any advice for us newbies?
I haven't done it yet, but appears to be pretty straightforward to peel back plastic wire covers, and make your own, if you have any electrical know-how. So far, mine work, but they look pretty well hardened, will attempt upon engine RR. But to be honest, would pay $250, if that was the difference between working glowplugs and not.
Certainly one of our more electrically-inclined PPS brethren have done so. Any advice for us newbies?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 3
From: Anchorage Alaska
building harness
You can build a harness and eliminate some of the things if your gonna put the glowplugs on a push button..make sure you use the same or larger guage wires.. makes it nice.. thats how i did mine, actually i took mine off repaired/cleaned it and removed the controller wires, then i wired in a manual switch for my glowplugs.. and increased the vire size to the GP relay.... but i must warn you do not leave them on for longer then 5 seconds... i left mine on for 8 with the increased wire guage and burned up new plugs.. expensive mistake, so ended up spending the 90 bucks on new plugs again, now i only keep them on for 5 seconds.Ray
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Halstead, KS
That is a key thing, when doing manual glow plugs, it isnt wise to hold them on for too long. 5-6 seconds does just fine. Dave S. holds his for 10 seconds, but then again he has the Midas touch... or.. Sponaugle touch anyways.
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I would rather let the ignition system take care of the glow plugs instead of a push button. I don't want to fall asleep at 6:00 AM leaning on the plug button either. This is a work truck, so I don't want any employees, if I hire any this year, burning anything out either. If there is any more advise out there, I would love to hear it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 344
Likes: 3
From: Byron New York
I am with Diesel Fiend. For a modest cost the GP controller works a long time relatively hassle free. I can only say did I lose count or hold it to long. Expand those GP's from over heating very difficult to get out of the head. Or just burn them out KAH-CHING. My 2 Pennies
Lead Driver
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From: Huntington Indiana
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Halstead, KS
Im with Dave S. on the statement he made, "I dont like automatic ANYTHING on my truck" If you are cognizant of the amount of time your pushing the button, you should have no problems making a set of good plugs last for a couple years or more. I remember back to the days of me being a soldier for the Army, and working on vehicles as a mechanic. It seemed I could never catch up on replacing GP controllers, Id get 5 or 6 done and 4 more would die. That was a never ending cycle until the day I got out. Now that Ive got a Diesel truck, I cringe at the very uttering of the word, Controller....lol.
Hence mine is push button.
Hence mine is push button.
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Lead Driver
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From: Huntington Indiana
Originally Posted by Diesel Fiend
This is a work truck, so I don't want any employees, if I hire any this year, burning anything out either.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 152
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From: Halstead, KS
I agree with the employee issue as well, Ive known guys who were hell bent AGAINST there employer and they broke things just for spite. Theyd hold starters on until they burn up and say "ooops, that starter just went out, i have no clue why though" But usually its just from misunderstanding, a guy might think, well ill hold the GP button for 2 minutes, that ought to get it going good, and then POP! there go the GP's
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
Another statement I have made before in manual glow plug threads.
Manual glow plugs are usually not a good idea in a vehicle that other people drive, they will not understand 10 seconds then start.
I am using a dealer supplied 93 wiring harness on my 6.9 with new style glow plugs.
This is wired into the original 86 glow plug relay on my truck with manual control.
After I milled the pistons down I need 10 seconds to start when the temps are in the single digits. I also have to hit them for 6 seconds again 10 seconds after it starts to keep it from dying before the cylinder temps come up some.
Diesel Fiend,
If you have the old system with spade terminals you can repair it with crimp on spade terminals and shrink wrap tubing.
Several people have posted repairing the new style harness with female bullet connectors and shrink wrap tubing, but I never tried that. You would have to take a glow plug with you to size up the bullet connector, I don't remember what size they posted that worked for them.
Manual glow plugs are usually not a good idea in a vehicle that other people drive, they will not understand 10 seconds then start.
I am using a dealer supplied 93 wiring harness on my 6.9 with new style glow plugs.
This is wired into the original 86 glow plug relay on my truck with manual control.
After I milled the pistons down I need 10 seconds to start when the temps are in the single digits. I also have to hit them for 6 seconds again 10 seconds after it starts to keep it from dying before the cylinder temps come up some.
Diesel Fiend,
If you have the old system with spade terminals you can repair it with crimp on spade terminals and shrink wrap tubing.
Several people have posted repairing the new style harness with female bullet connectors and shrink wrap tubing, but I never tried that. You would have to take a glow plug with you to size up the bullet connector, I don't remember what size they posted that worked for them.
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