Glow Plugs
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Huntsville, TX
Glow Plugs
Right now I have a push button to run my glow plugs on my truck. I was wondering what it would take to put it back to the ignition to make it automatic. My parents think they know more about my truck than I do, and in some respects they might, decided that the 7-10 seconds to run them is not enough. I did not know until yesterday when I pulled off my glow plugs to check them that I asked and they said that they have been running them for 15-20 seconds. Not just the first start up either, but every time.
Is there anyway for me to hook it back up to the ignition?
Is there anyway for me to hook it back up to the ignition?
New User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12
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#1, I would leave the push button system. Having said that, first pull your air cleaner housing. the glow plug controller is threaded into the coolant jacket behind the filter.
Replace the gp control switch reconnect the cap to the gp harness. Next go under the hood and on the passenger side fender you should see two relays one is for the starter the other is the gp relay. The one with the cut and taped, or wirenutted purple wire is the one you want. Reconnect the purple wire. Then disconnect the push button and wiring. If your parents are holding down the manual push button as long as they say I truly hope you are running Beru's or Wellman's. Again the old controller type are prone to failure and they fail in the on position usually. Hence the manual system. Good Luck!!!
Replace the gp control switch reconnect the cap to the gp harness. Next go under the hood and on the passenger side fender you should see two relays one is for the starter the other is the gp relay. The one with the cut and taped, or wirenutted purple wire is the one you want. Reconnect the purple wire. Then disconnect the push button and wiring. If your parents are holding down the manual push button as long as they say I truly hope you are running Beru's or Wellman's. Again the old controller type are prone to failure and they fail in the on position usually. Hence the manual system. Good Luck!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
May I assume you did not do the original conversion?
What you need to do depends on exactly what was done when it was converted and why it was converted.
This is the controller, threaded into the rear of the drivers side head against the firewall.
If the wiring is still good, not hacked off, a new controller can be bought for somewhere between 99 and 150 dollars.
This is the relay down behind the passenger side battery on top of the fender well.
Someone has spliced into this purple wire with a green one.
The relay is probably fine, I just had to replace mine this year after 23 years or hard use.
What you need to do depends on exactly what was done when it was converted and why it was converted.
This is the controller, threaded into the rear of the drivers side head against the firewall.
If the wiring is still good, not hacked off, a new controller can be bought for somewhere between 99 and 150 dollars.
This is the relay down behind the passenger side battery on top of the fender well.
Someone has spliced into this purple wire with a green one.
The relay is probably fine, I just had to replace mine this year after 23 years or hard use.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 728
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also your truck is equipped with 6 volt glow plugs
thats why the controller cycles them
holding them on too long burns them out quickly
thats why the controller cycles them
holding them on too long burns them out quickly
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
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From: Morgantown, WV
Is it a good idea to get a new controller, new Motorcraft GP's, and a new conversion relay controller for these trucks? I have a 1985 6.9l, and I am thinking about putting all new stuff on the engine, b/c the starting is very hard unless I plug in the engine block heater. I replaced the harness with a Motorcraft one, but I have not replaced anything else.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I would say you have glow plugs burnt out.
My first step would be check the glow plugs.
Also pay attention to the glow plug light.
The old style system, 86 and older is known to fail with the glow plugs on, which burns the glow plugs out in a very short time.
The controller is what is responsible if that happens.
My first step would be check the glow plugs.
Also pay attention to the glow plug light.
The old style system, 86 and older is known to fail with the glow plugs on, which burns the glow plugs out in a very short time.
The controller is what is responsible if that happens.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 739
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From: Morgantown, WV
Thanks Dave. Since mine has the older style, what can I do to improve it? Since I have isntaled a new Motorcraft wiring harness, I was thinking about replacing the glowplugs with the Motorcraft ones, get a new motorcraft controller, and install the aftermarket GP Relay that is shown above. This is good move, right, especially before winter gets here? I will test the GP's today, but I am thinking it is good maintenance to just replace everything and start with new.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Motorcraft/Breu glow plugs are the only ones to use.
Make sure they say "Made in Germany" on the package.
I have heard a few people got them labeled made in Japan, and they had problems with them.
Autolite, Champion, and Wellman, bad stories on all of them.
My glow plug relay, still the 1986 original like the one in the picture, just gave up last week after 23 years of dependable service.
I just hope the replacement is 1/2 that good.
Make sure they say "Made in Germany" on the package.
I have heard a few people got them labeled made in Japan, and they had problems with them.
Autolite, Champion, and Wellman, bad stories on all of them.
My glow plug relay, still the 1986 original like the one in the picture, just gave up last week after 23 years of dependable service.
I just hope the replacement is 1/2 that good.
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