Glow Plug help!!!
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 167
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From: Texas
Thanks Dave! You really know your stuff!
Hopefully I'll get my manuals this week. I bought the 3 part shop manuals off ebay. Just waiting to receive them now. Then things will look much more clear to me!
This site is great! Thanks to everyone!
Hopefully I'll get my manuals this week. I bought the 3 part shop manuals off ebay. Just waiting to receive them now. Then things will look much more clear to me!
This site is great! Thanks to everyone!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 15
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Since my 86 is the same as yours, I have been through almost everything you can possibly run into at one time or another.
There is a lot of stuff on the 87 and newer that changed slightly, but still close enough to figure out.
Automatic trannies, I am completely lost except for what I read here.
There is a lot of stuff on the 87 and newer that changed slightly, but still close enough to figure out.
Automatic trannies, I am completely lost except for what I read here.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 250
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Dave,
Thanks for the great explanation of the controller bypass. Do I understand correctly that the bypass wire runs from the trigger wire on the controller to the switch? Then a switched power wire from the fuse box connects to the other side of the switch. I'm just trying to claify which terminal the wire coming off the controller is attached to.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the great explanation of the controller bypass. Do I understand correctly that the bypass wire runs from the trigger wire on the controller to the switch? Then a switched power wire from the fuse box connects to the other side of the switch. I'm just trying to claify which terminal the wire coming off the controller is attached to.
Thanks!!
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Okay ... Status report!
I checked the glow plugs, and here is the interesting thing ... All of the glow plugs on the drivers side are good, and all of the ones on the passenger side are bad.
I also did a little check on the relay. I put an alligator clip on the positive battery terminal, and (with the ignition on) I made a connection to the purple wire post on the relay. I then heard a loud click.
So ... correct me if I'm wrong ... I think I need to replace the 4 glow plugs on the passenger side (with motorcraft ones), and I need to add a push button to the truck for manual glow plug use (per Dave's suggestion). I heard someone tell me that I should just look for an old deisel truck at a scrap yard and get the controller from there for cheaper ... is this a good idea, or is it just better to bypass it completely?
I checked the glow plugs, and here is the interesting thing ... All of the glow plugs on the drivers side are good, and all of the ones on the passenger side are bad.
I also did a little check on the relay. I put an alligator clip on the positive battery terminal, and (with the ignition on) I made a connection to the purple wire post on the relay. I then heard a loud click.
So ... correct me if I'm wrong ... I think I need to replace the 4 glow plugs on the passenger side (with motorcraft ones), and I need to add a push button to the truck for manual glow plug use (per Dave's suggestion). I heard someone tell me that I should just look for an old deisel truck at a scrap yard and get the controller from there for cheaper ... is this a good idea, or is it just better to bypass it completely?
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Dave,
Thanks for the great explanation of the controller bypass. Do I understand correctly that the bypass wire runs from the trigger wire on the controller to the switch? Then a switched power wire from the fuse box connects to the other side of the switch. I'm just trying to claify which terminal the wire coming off the controller is attached to.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the great explanation of the controller bypass. Do I understand correctly that the bypass wire runs from the trigger wire on the controller to the switch? Then a switched power wire from the fuse box connects to the other side of the switch. I'm just trying to claify which terminal the wire coming off the controller is attached to.
Thanks!!
Someone will slap me if I am wrong.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 167
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From: Texas
I'm very glad that I didn't install the push button.
Make sure that you check your relay and that it is getting 12 volts on the other side when it is engaged. I thought my controller was bad, but it was actually the relay.
The purple wire IS the controller.
Make sure that you check your relay and that it is getting 12 volts on the other side when it is engaged. I thought my controller was bad, but it was actually the relay.
The purple wire IS the controller.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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I do have 12v going to the hot side of the relay when the key is on. So, tell me if I'm wrong, but I need to turn the key on and while the WTS light is on check the other large terminal on top for 12v. Will any ground work or do I need to ground on the battery? Thanks in advance for you rhelp.
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Senior User
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From: Texas
the frame or battery is fine. It should be all the same. While that light is on, you want 12 volts on the side of the terminal that is closest to the cab of the truck, not closest to the battery.
You could also pull the individual glow plug wires one by one and verify that you have 12V on each of them.
You could also pull the individual glow plug wires one by one and verify that you have 12V on each of them.
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Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
One side will always be hot, the other depends on the Glow Controller (small purple wire), With key on and showing WTS then the other large terminal should be hot, that feeds the GP's.
If you are trying to test your relay, You can unplug the purple wire and apply 12v to the terminal it was on and it will energize the relay, don't leave it on for more than a few seconds (max 10, typical GP on time) unless all GP's are unplugged.
You can ground on any metal as long as it's grounded back to the battery, technically all diesels (good idea on gassers as well) should be grounded Battery->Block->Chassis and Head(s)->Chassis.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
If you are trying to test your relay, You can unplug the purple wire and apply 12v to the terminal it was on and it will energize the relay, don't leave it on for more than a few seconds (max 10, typical GP on time) unless all GP's are unplugged.
You can ground on any metal as long as it's grounded back to the battery, technically all diesels (good idea on gassers as well) should be grounded Battery->Block->Chassis and Head(s)->Chassis.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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