How do you test glow plugs?
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Chesapeake, VA
How do you test glow plugs?
I have a 89 F30 7.3L and it is hard to start when cold. I have to crank it 2-5 time before it will start. I was woundering what the procedure is to see if they work and what do i use to test them? Will a multimeter work? Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Fosen, Norway
I was adviced to use a test lamp, witch I did, and that detected the bad ones. Disconnect wires on glow plugs, and put the lamp between the + on the battery and the top tip of the glow plug. If the bulb lights up, the plug should be allrignt, if you get no light, the plug is bad.
Always use Beru/Motorcraft plugs.
(I learned my lesson by using Autolite)
Always use Beru/Motorcraft plugs.
(I learned my lesson by using Autolite)
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Langley, BC, Canada
take a test light and put one end on the positive battery terminal and touch the other end on the glow plug. itf the test light lights then the glow plugs are working. i just tested mine today and 2 were burnt out so i replaced them
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
You can also use a multi meter to check glow plugs.
It has to be a rather good digital meter to get a good reading though.
On the resistance scale you will be looking to see between .5 and 1.5 ohms resistance.
That is really close to a dead short, which is what a cheap meter will probably show.
The resistance check with a good meter is the only way to find a glow plug that has shorted internally when it burnt out.
It has to be a rather good digital meter to get a good reading though.
On the resistance scale you will be looking to see between .5 and 1.5 ohms resistance.
That is really close to a dead short, which is what a cheap meter will probably show.
The resistance check with a good meter is the only way to find a glow plug that has shorted internally when it burnt out.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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Originally Posted by Dave Sponaugle
You can also use a multi meter to check glow plugs.
It has to be a rather good digital meter to get a good reading though.
On the resistance scale you will be looking to see between .5 and 1.5 ohms resistance.
That is really close to a dead short, which is what a cheap meter will probably show.
The resistance check with a good meter is the only way to find a glow plug that has shorted internally when it burnt out.
It has to be a rather good digital meter to get a good reading though.
On the resistance scale you will be looking to see between .5 and 1.5 ohms resistance.
That is really close to a dead short, which is what a cheap meter will probably show.
The resistance check with a good meter is the only way to find a glow plug that has shorted internally when it burnt out.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Ensure anytime you use a meter..... that your fingers are not touching the probe they will give a reading too.....
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Senior User
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From: Chesapeake, VA
I went ahead and got a test light and all 8 lit up. I also used a analog multimeter (a cheep one) and it read just under 1 ohms. Does that mean they are all good. Is there anything else that would make it hard to start when cold? Thanks
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From: Langley, BC, Canada
are you sure its only hard to start when cold?. i would plug in the block heater for a few hours and then try and start it. if it is still hard to start then it may be your injector lines letting air into the system.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Chesapeake, VA
I did have a problem with it a few days ago. I was running very rough and i found a leaking injector so i replaces it and bleed the air and i is still hard to start only when cold. I can take it to a store and shut her down and come out in 2 hours and she fires right up with no problems. How do you check the glow controller, and where should it be located? Thanks
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Langley, BC, Canada
One way i tested mine was removed the connector from the glow plug and put a test light in the connector while the wait to start light was on. the test light lit up so i assumed the controller was supplying power to the glow plug. I dont know if that actually tests the controller or if there is another way to test the controller.
Senior User
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From: Fosen, Norway
When I had problem, I was adviced to this page
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi2.htm
Glow controller is behind air filter box
http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/idi2.htm
Glow controller is behind air filter box
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