Help please
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Help please
I have a 1986 f350 Classic. I got this truck it ran great. Over a period of time it got harder to start. The wait to start light came on when I was driving down the road. Now the light does not even come on at all. I was reading on here, that people use a push button switch. I was wondering what color the wire is that runs to all glow plugs, so I can wire in a push button, or momentary switch, to avoid of the cost of a controller or such. Any suggestions what it could be? I will appreciate any advice. Also this truck has 2 fuel tanks, the front one has a electric fuel pump hooked to it, which I do not think this truck came factory with it.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Altamonte FL
I had some start up problems. I replaced the glow plug controller and it worked great. Since its getting dark outside remove one of the glow plugs. Hook the wire up to it and set it on a metal part of the intake (for ground). Turn your key over to start and watch the glow plug, it sould glow bright red. If not then replace the controller.
P.S the plugs will feel hot, but need to be red like a camp fire. Also listen under the hood for the click of the solenoid.
P.S the plugs will feel hot, but need to be red like a camp fire. Also listen under the hood for the click of the solenoid.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Test your system ...
***** The following assumes you have already checked cables, connections, cab, chassis and engine grounds. *****
***** That the water temp is below 112F degrees. (ie: cold motor) *****
***** When testing energize briefly, long enough to get the answer, no need to overheat things and no more than 10 seconds *****
Unplug the forward most (towards front of truck) connector on the Injection pump, this prevents overheating the FSS.
*** Glow Plug Test. ***
Test light test of the glow plugs:
Test that you get power to the glow plugs:
*** Pre '87 Controller, Relay test. ***
The relay is attached to the right (passenger) inner fender and has 4 terminals.
For a manual setup ...
The Glow Plug Relay is on the Right Inner Fender.
Basic jist ... Remove the Purple wire from the Glow Plug relay, Use a push button to supply 12v+ to the small terminal on the relay you removed the purple wire from.
Steps ...
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
***** The following assumes you have already checked cables, connections, cab, chassis and engine grounds. *****
***** That the water temp is below 112F degrees. (ie: cold motor) *****
***** When testing energize briefly, long enough to get the answer, no need to overheat things and no more than 10 seconds *****
Unplug the forward most (towards front of truck) connector on the Injection pump, this prevents overheating the FSS.
*** Glow Plug Test. ***
Test light test of the glow plugs:
- Unplug the Glow Plugs.
- Attach one end of a test light to 12v+ battery.
- Touch the other end to the terminal on the end of the Glow Plug (where you unplugged the harness)
Does it light up?- Yes, Chances are it's good.
- No, Replace with Motorcraft/Beru ZD1A for 83-86, ZD9 for 87-94.5.
To do a positive test use a volt/ohm meter and test the ohms between the terminal and base. Should be .5 to 1 ohm resistance.
Test that you get power to the glow plugs:
- Unplug a glow plug.
- Attach one end of a test light to the glow plug wire.
- The other end to ground.
- Momentarily turn the key on while watching the test light.
Does it light up?- Yes, test Glow Plugs.
- No, test Controller, Relay.
*** Pre '87 Controller, Relay test. ***
The relay is attached to the right (passenger) inner fender and has 4 terminals.
- 1 large terminal (Input Terminal) goes to full time 12v+. (battery)
- The other large terminal (Output Terminal) goes to the glow plugs.
- 1 small terminal (Power Terminal) is controlled 12v+ from the controller. (Purple wire)
- The other small terminal (Ground Terminal) goes to ground. (white with black tracer (I think))
Ensure there is 12v+ to the Input Terminal of the relay.
Ensure Ground is good, both the base and Ground Terminal.
Relay test:- Attach one end of a test light to ground.
- The other end to the Output Terminal of the relay.
- Remove the small purple wire from the glow plug relay Power Terminal.
- Momentarily apply 12v+ to the Power Terminal on the relay. (where purple wire was)
Does it light up?- Yes, relay MAY BE good.
- Test voltage at the battery and the Output Terminal on the relay while relay is energized. BE QUICK. (10 seconds or less)
- Voltages should be close to the same. If not replace relay.
- No, Relay is not working.
- Yes, relay MAY BE good.
Controller test:- Attach one end of a test light to the relay Power Terminal (purple wire, do not remove from relay)
- The other end to ground.
- Turn the key on while watching the test light.
Leave the key on until the test light goes off (or cycles) or 10 seconds which ever occurs first.
Does it light up?- Yes, The controller MAY BE good.
- Does it go off by itself? (It may cycle, thats good)
- Yes, Controller is good.
- No, The controller has FAILED ON ... Replace!
- Does it go off by itself? (It may cycle, thats good)
- No, The controller is bad replace.
- Yes, The controller MAY BE good.
For a manual setup ...
The Glow Plug Relay is on the Right Inner Fender.
Basic jist ... Remove the Purple wire from the Glow Plug relay, Use a push button to supply 12v+ to the small terminal on the relay you removed the purple wire from.
Steps ...
- Remove the Purple wire from the relay.
- Run a wire from the Glow Plug Relay small terminal you removed the purple wire from to one leg of your push button.
- Find a 12v+ FUSED source and run a wire from it to the other leg of your push button.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
For a manual setup ...
The Glow Plug Relay is on the Right Inner Fender.
Basic jist ... Remove the Purple wire from the Glow Plug relay, Use a push button to supply 12v+ to the small terminal on the relay you removed the purple wire from.
Steps ...
1. Remove the Purple wire from the relay.
2. Run a wire from the Glow Plug Relay small terminal you removed the purple wire from to one leg of your push button.
3. Find a 12v+ FUSED source and run a wire from it to the other leg of your push button.
The Glow Plug Relay is on the Right Inner Fender.
Basic jist ... Remove the Purple wire from the Glow Plug relay, Use a push button to supply 12v+ to the small terminal on the relay you removed the purple wire from.
Steps ...
1. Remove the Purple wire from the relay.
2. Run a wire from the Glow Plug Relay small terminal you removed the purple wire from to one leg of your push button.
3. Find a 12v+ FUSED source and run a wire from it to the other leg of your push button.
I would go manual control like you suggested in the first post. I did it to mine, and it started last winter even with 3 bad glowplugs. Best thing I ever did to my diesel was add the manual pushbutton.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
Personally I think manual GP's are hacks ... But thats just my opinion and it's to each their own.
In my case manual GP's would be more costly, Others than I also drive my trucks, counting on them to be able to count is beyond my control!
However, I also upgrade to the SS controller ... The newer style.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
In my case manual GP's would be more costly, Others than I also drive my trucks, counting on them to be able to count is beyond my control!
However, I also upgrade to the SS controller ... The newer style.
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,950
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
True, you have to know what you are doing to use manual glowplugs. But I have found that with the factory system, you need at least a word or two to the borrower like "make sure you wait for the light to go out if it's cold". I resisted putting the manual switch in as long as I could, but I am so glad I did now. It starts so much better.
Most tractors and heavy equipment diesels do have a manual glowplug system from the factory on their engines.
Most tractors and heavy equipment diesels do have a manual glowplug system from the factory on their engines.
Methanoholic
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 8
From: Maine (NorCal Native)
And the typical soccer mom mentality type doesn't operate tractors and heavy equipment, besides they don't burn out as easy as ours do ...
Explaining the WTS light is a lot easier and safer then explaining manual use and trusting someone elses timed seconds!
Grab a stop watch, hand it to random peeps, have them click start and guess when 10 or 20 seconds passes and click again ... see how they did!
Never had an issue starting my trucks in sub 15 weather when all is in proper working order ...
Like I stated ... To each their own!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
Explaining the WTS light is a lot easier and safer then explaining manual use and trusting someone elses timed seconds!
Grab a stop watch, hand it to random peeps, have them click start and guess when 10 or 20 seconds passes and click again ... see how they did!
Never had an issue starting my trucks in sub 15 weather when all is in proper working order ...
Like I stated ... To each their own!
-Enjoy
fh : )_~
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