Glow Plugs NOT glowing

[stantjeeper85]

Glow plugs arent heating up/glowing. best i can figure is maybe the glow plug controller is dead. I may end up doing a manual glow plug switch, but is there a way that I can "jump start" my plugs so that I can get to work??

If I do the manual switch, can i get the parts from somewhere like autozone or do i have to order the parts?

What do I need to do to correct this situation??

[NH2112]

What year is your truck? If it's an 85 or later, you can jumper across the 2 large posts on top of the glow controller. Have someone else in the cab to start the truck after 10 seconds or so.

[stantjeeper85]

its an 89 with an early 90s military 6.2. where exactly is the glow controller? and what do i use to jump?

[stantjeeper85]

Well, I may have found the glow plug controller. I found a part in front of the engine block with two posts on top of it, with electrical connections attached to the posts. One of the connections had come loose though. I reattached it and tried to start it again but no difference. however, that may be because the batteries had drained too much from me trying to crank it. Hooked some jumper cables up to my gf's car and thats when the glow plug light came on, and then of course, the truck started.

We'll see how it goes. I may still be interested in a manual glow plug switch. I'll be back if I continue to have problems.

[DennisG01]

You'll know if you've found the controller by tracing the wires. Or, just follow one of the wires backwards from one of the plugs.

Have you tested your plugs? Are the connections on the plugs clean and sound?

There are a bunch of threads on here with good information about this that you can search for. Here's one: http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=26450&highlight=test+plug

[JohnC]

If your truck is 24 volts, the 24 volt glow system eats glow plugs. As they burn one by one out the remaining ones get more and more current and burn out that much faster. The last one goes real fast...

Better to re-wire the glow system to run on 12 volts.

[stantjeeper85]

the guy i bought the truck from converted it from 24v to 12 volt. i believe the issue was a loose connection from one of the posts on the controller. plugged it back in and havent had a problem since.

[stantjeeper85]

So Im still having problems with my glow controller. It seems to me that it may have something to do with the cold weather, because when it was warm I did not have this problem. Keep in mind I do not have an engine heater. it seems that, when the truck sits over night and goes ice cold, that in the morning, the glow controller is too cold to generate a current to the glow plugs. it takes 5 - 6 attempts at starting the truck before the glow plug lights come on. By that time, my batteries are so drained from the 5 -6 starting attempts that theres not enough juice to warm the glow plugs up enough to start the engine. So, for the last 5 mornings in a row, Ive had to have my truck hooked up to another running car just to get it started.

It seems to me that I may still need a manual switch. But how $$$ will be invested for that? is there a temprary way to correct this issue withOUT having to jump my truck off every single morning?

[john8662]

I'd change the glow plug controller. Your engine doesn't really have anything to do with it being a military engine any more, it was transplanted. It's just a 6.2, they probably used it like any other longblock and swapped the stuff from the old broken engine onto this newer power plant, including the glow controller.

[Robyn]

YESSSSSSSSS I agree.

Replace the controller and check to be sure that if there is an INHIBIT switch in the top rear of the RH head (Two terminal switch that looks like a temp sender)

Now there may be a switch in the rear RH side of the RH head, this controls the cold advance, leave it alone.

If there is an upper one disconnect the switch and jumper the plug with a short wire with two spades crimped on. Tape it up so it does not short out and forget it.

Your issue is either the glow controller or a bad inhibit switch.

The inhibit switch was a BAD IDEA.


Keep us posted.


Missy

[stantjeeper85]

These two photos illustrate the only two things I can see on the RH head in the rear. By RH, Im assuming you mean driver's side, as that WOULD be my RH as I stand at the front of the engine looking towards the firewall. Let me know if what you see in these photos are what you guys are talking about.

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs234.snc3/22154_581470821404_75309673_33706966_806652_n.jpg
http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs294.ash1/22154_581470826394_75309673_33706967_7707544_n.jpg

I apologize for the crappy cell phone pics.

Andy

[JohnC]

Left and Right are almost always from the driver's perspective. The right cylinder head is on the same side as the right headlight and right tail light.

Meanwhile, if you turn the key on and the glow plug light doesn't come on, don't waste your time and batteries cranking. Turn it off and back on again, until you get a glow cycle.

Sounds like a loose connection to me, although it could be a bad controller or inhibit switch, although I'd expect them to act up in warm weather too.

[stantjeeper85]

Well, I looked on the rear of the passenger side head and could not see anything of significance. this engine is sitting very close to the firewall so its difficult to see anything in the back.

[DmaxMaverick]

Unless you have a "right hand drive" vehicle (such as required in Australia or Great Britain), the passenger side is the RIGHT HAND side, as you are standing behind the truck, looking at the tailgate (or sitting in the driver seat, looking forward, through the windshield). ALL references to "left hand", "right hand", "driver side", or "passenger side", are from this perspective. Anything else will only cause confusion. If you are standing at the front of the vehicle, looking at the grill, the left hand side is still the same side you'll find the steering wheel. Sorry if this sounds so elementary, but there should be no doubt as to what we are talking about.

ALL of the glow plug control components are located at the rear of the driver side (or left hand side) of the engine compartment, withing inches of the brake master cylinder (82-84 models had other parts scattered about, but in that area).

The white/gray thing in the top picture you posted (although the pic is rotated 90°) is the glow plug controller (1985+ model). ALL of your glow plug components can be traced to or from this. It is also located at the rear of the driver side head.

The silver thing in your second picture is the cam driven vacuum pump (also the oil pump drive).

[john8662]

Could you please update your signature in your User CP to reflect your vehicle you're working on?

Is this a Suburban, Blazer, C or K pickup?

Anyways, check out this thread about an additional grimelin for the 89 trucks, it's the newer style inhibit, managed by the PCM.

http://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?t=35610

[stantjeeper85]

it definately seems to have something to do with the weather. its warmed up here (60s) and my truck has started right up for the last few days.