Glow plug question

rwaltonky · 01-31-2007, 10:38 PM

I just was recently reading that a glow plug in the idi was a 6 volt glow plug and the glow plug controler sends a pulse of 12 volts to the plug because there 6 volts. Is this true? Maybe thats why every time I put them on a switch they don't last long because of the constant 12 volts. I don't run them more than 8 or 9 seconds and I only use them once I don't keep turning them off and on even if I do have to keep cranking in cold weather. I know some of you other guys have yours on a switch, how long does yours last? Thanks for the input.

IDIeselman · 02-01-2007, 01:39 AM

What type of plugs are you using? Anything but Beru/motorcraft and you are tempting fate, Some people have fair luck with Bosh but the autolite and champions are garbage.

fellro86 · 02-01-2007, 01:46 AM

We hooked up my dad's 84 4x4 direct, and wiped them out pretty quick, put them back on the relay, and the original harness, and they hold out longer. The controller turns them on for 7 seconds, then off, then will cycle them again. The wiring is resistor wire, so it knocks the voltage down to do a slow heat, but not massive draw.
A little trick the 84 2wd has taught me, hit the GP's, crank it a little, hit them again, and it pops right off... My 86 is temperamental that way too, I have to cycle the glow plugs twice to get it to fire when it's cold like this. It wants GP's at 70 degrees too though...

IDIeselman · 02-01-2007, 01:59 AM

Ray, If you still have the 6.9 harness go to autozone /advanced auto and tell them you want a ZD1A (spade connect) And you will have no more trouble . If you have done the 7.3 harness conversion then a ZD9 (bullett) Is what you want. Good luck Tim

**86 1 tonhauler** · 02-01-2007, 06:36 AM

i have had very good luck with the ac delco 8g's

rwaltonky · 02-01-2007, 01:50 PM

Ok here's what I done. I wired my switch into the glow plug relay. I'm using ac delco plugs. The only reason why I have them on a switch is my temperature switch that tells the glow plugs when to kick on is bad and It is to cold to put that in right now, I'm waiting till spring to do that.

Docluv2577 · 02-01-2007, 04:13 PM

there is no switch to tell but temp when to turn the glow plugs on other than the controller itself. if you are refering to the 2 wire sensor switch in the coolant passage that is just for cold timing and cold throttle not the glow plugs.

as for direct wiring yes it will smoke the glow plugs in a hurry as they are not a 12 volt glow plug . the 7.3 system and late 87 6.9 system uses a much better controler and has a resister plate from the relay to the glow plug wires .I have changed all my older trucks to the 7.3 setup.

to do it you need a controller 8 bullet glow plugs a glow plug harness cheaper to get from navistar as its like 30-40 bucks and then do some wiring

rwaltonky · 02-01-2007, 11:01 PM

That's what I'm refering to, the controler. When it warms up to were I don't freeze my but off I will put the new controler on. I just wanted to know if the glow plugs there self were 6 volts. Thanks for all the input. I will try to get the 7.3 set up later on. I think I know were one is.
Thanks again, Ray

Dieselguy · 02-02-2007, 05:34 AM

I've gotta a question or two.
Does anyone out here know how I can find the right 12 volt glow plug for my 1988 F250-7.3 stock Ford?
I've been told the original plugs are 6 volt and if I would put 12 volt plugs with a manual relay in it that they will last much longer, I'm looking for anything that will last longer, I've had many diesels, and non of them have gave me the troubles I have had with this Ford.
I've had this old rust bucket for many years and I'm not ready to give up on him yet.
For some time now I've been starting it on either, they tell me not to do that because it will harm it, so far either has done the job and it hasn't blown yet.
There has to be a better way than the original controller-relay & glow plugs,
I'm gonna swap the original junk to something better, that is if I can figure out what it takes to do the job.
I'd sure like to have a bunch of comment on this subject, I need my ole fliver to haul my rocks out on here my Rock~N~Tick Farm, the Ticks are all asleep as for now, we have snow and ice on the ground here in Oklahoma USA. Thanx.

fellro86 · 02-02-2007, 09:46 AM

Been running the factory style units in my dad's 84 on manual control, and they are still working just fine... how long are you holding them on? Did you reuse the factory harness and relay?

01-31-2007, 10:38 PM	#1
rwaltonky TDG MAFIA MEMBER #75 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 349 Points: 1,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Glow plug question I just was recently reading that a glow plug in the idi was a 6 volt glow plug and the glow plug controler sends a pulse of 12 volts to the plug because there 6 volts. Is this true? Maybe thats why every time I put them on a switch they don't last long because of the constant 12 volts. I don't run them more than 8 or 9 seconds and I only use them once I don't keep turning them off and on even if I do have to keep cranking in cold weather. I know some of you other guys have yours on a switch, how long does yours last? Thanks for the input. __________________ Ray 1985 Ford F-250 4x4 200hp and 300ft. lb. torque. It has 3:55 gears, Dps high performance IP pump, Stage 1 injectors, Aftermarket hypermax turbo 3 1/2 in. straight pipe with 5in. tip, Holley electric fuel pump, and home made K&N ram air intake. Also keyless entry and power window kit installed, cowl induction hood and it all sits on a set of 33x12.50x16.5 1991 Ford ranger 2wd 5 speed. No mods, Cheap on gas MY VIDEO LINKS http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...ac0161c12e.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...93011b0897.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...39011bc6c4.htm My Pics http://www.thedieselgarage.com/galle...=9&userid=5065

02-01-2007, 01:39 AM	#2
IDIeselman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 164 Points: 2,517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	What type of plugs are you using? Anything but Beru/motorcraft and you are tempting fate, Some people have fair luck with Bosh but the autolite and champions are garbage. __________________ 1979 f350 4x4 6.9 Diesel,Everything new or better than. Mechanically injected cause chips are for dippin

02-01-2007, 01:46 AM	#3
fellro86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marengo, Iowa Posts: 582 Points: 1,104 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	We hooked up my dad's 84 4x4 direct, and wiped them out pretty quick, put them back on the relay, and the original harness, and they hold out longer. The controller turns them on for 7 seconds, then off, then will cycle them again. The wiring is resistor wire, so it knocks the voltage down to do a slow heat, but not massive draw. A little trick the 84 2wd has taught me, hit the GP's, crank it a little, hit them again, and it pops right off... My 86 is temperamental that way too, I have to cycle the glow plugs twice to get it to fire when it's cold like this. It wants GP's at 70 degrees too though... __________________ The workhorse: 86 F250 6.9 4 speed 4wd 4.10 gears, electric fuel pump The other workhorse: 92 F350 2wd crew cab, 92 6BT Cummins, NV4500 and GV overdrive unit, 4.10 rear axle

02-01-2007, 01:59 AM	#4
IDIeselman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 164 Points: 2,517 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Ray, If you still have the 6.9 harness go to autozone /advanced auto and tell them you want a ZD1A (spade connect) And you will have no more trouble . If you have done the 7.3 harness conversion then a ZD9 (bullett) Is what you want. Good luck Tim __________________ 1979 f350 4x4 6.9 Diesel,Everything new or better than. Mechanically injected cause chips are for dippin

02-01-2007, 06:36 AM	#5
86 1 tonhauler TDG MAFIA MEMBER #72 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,585 Points: 9,405 Thanks: 10 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts	i have had very good luck with the ac delco 8g's __________________ 1986 f-350 6.9 dually str8 piped ,maxed out injection pump ,bucket seats, diamond plate flat bed,propane injection, on board aircompressor, train horns,goose neck plate, future mod , custom built turbo kit with intercooler and dual 4" miter cut stacks TDG DUALLY CLUB #5 RIDIN DIRTY #44 01 chevy 2500 HD 4x4 duramax anybody got any used 4" miter cut stack laying around? pm me if ya do quote: BARRY1ME: BTW I love your sig about engineers....but it should be changed to, if the engineers believe it isnt broke it doesnt have enough content removed from it. And thats the truth! (FYI I am engineer and work for Ford lol) At Ford the goal is to make the part barely good enough to passing DV (developmental validation) testing....If it passes way beyond the test then the part was overengineered, and content needs to be removed to reduce cost. I CANT KEEP UP!!! HELP!!!

02-01-2007, 01:50 PM	#6
rwaltonky TDG MAFIA MEMBER #75 Threadstarter Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 349 Points: 1,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ok here's what I done. I wired my switch into the glow plug relay. I'm using ac delco plugs. The only reason why I have them on a switch is my temperature switch that tells the glow plugs when to kick on is bad and It is to cold to put that in right now, I'm waiting till spring to do that. __________________ Ray 1985 Ford F-250 4x4 200hp and 300ft. lb. torque. It has 3:55 gears, Dps high performance IP pump, Stage 1 injectors, Aftermarket hypermax turbo 3 1/2 in. straight pipe with 5in. tip, Holley electric fuel pump, and home made K&N ram air intake. Also keyless entry and power window kit installed, cowl induction hood and it all sits on a set of 33x12.50x16.5 1991 Ford ranger 2wd 5 speed. No mods, Cheap on gas MY VIDEO LINKS http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...ac0161c12e.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...93011b0897.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...39011bc6c4.htm My Pics http://www.thedieselgarage.com/galle...=9&userid=5065

02-01-2007, 04:13 PM	#7
Docluv2577 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 455 Points: 466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	there is no switch to tell but temp when to turn the glow plugs on other than the controller itself. if you are refering to the 2 wire sensor switch in the coolant passage that is just for cold timing and cold throttle not the glow plugs. as for direct wiring yes it will smoke the glow plugs in a hurry as they are not a 12 volt glow plug . the 7.3 system and late 87 6.9 system uses a much better controler and has a resister plate from the relay to the glow plug wires .I have changed all my older trucks to the 7.3 setup. to do it you need a controller 8 bullet glow plugs a glow plug harness cheaper to get from navistar as its like 30-40 bucks and then do some wiring __________________ 84 f 250 ex cab 4x4 w/92 7.3 ATS turbo 3 in exhaust no muffler K&N filter pumped tweaked 25% Navistar Diesel electronics specialist( mechanic..lol) 19 years at local dealer Photos of The Beast DOC

02-01-2007, 11:01 PM	#8
rwaltonky TDG MAFIA MEMBER #75 Threadstarter Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 349 Points: 1,867 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	That's what I'm refering to, the controler. When it warms up to were I don't freeze my but off I will put the new controler on. I just wanted to know if the glow plugs there self were 6 volts. Thanks for all the input. I will try to get the 7.3 set up later on. I think I know were one is. Thanks again, Ray __________________ Ray 1985 Ford F-250 4x4 200hp and 300ft. lb. torque. It has 3:55 gears, Dps high performance IP pump, Stage 1 injectors, Aftermarket hypermax turbo 3 1/2 in. straight pipe with 5in. tip, Holley electric fuel pump, and home made K&N ram air intake. Also keyless entry and power window kit installed, cowl induction hood and it all sits on a set of 33x12.50x16.5 1991 Ford ranger 2wd 5 speed. No mods, Cheap on gas MY VIDEO LINKS http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...ac0161c12e.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...93011b0897.htm http://video.thedieselgarage.com/cat...39011bc6c4.htm My Pics http://www.thedieselgarage.com/galle...=9&userid=5065

02-02-2007, 05:34 AM	#9
Dieselguy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 2 Points: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've gotta a question or two. Does anyone out here know how I can find the right 12 volt glow plug for my 1988 F250-7.3 stock Ford? I've been told the original plugs are 6 volt and if I would put 12 volt plugs with a manual relay in it that they will last much longer, I'm looking for anything that will last longer, I've had many diesels, and non of them have gave me the troubles I have had with this Ford. I've had this old rust bucket for many years and I'm not ready to give up on him yet. For some time now I've been starting it on either, they tell me not to do that because it will harm it, so far either has done the job and it hasn't blown yet. There has to be a better way than the original controller-relay & glow plugs, I'm gonna swap the original junk to something better, that is if I can figure out what it takes to do the job. I'd sure like to have a bunch of comment on this subject, I need my ole fliver to haul my rocks out on here my Rock~N~Tick Farm, the Ticks are all asleep as for now, we have snow and ice on the ground here in Oklahoma USA. Thanx.

02-02-2007, 09:46 AM	#10
fellro86 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marengo, Iowa Posts: 582 Points: 1,104 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Been running the factory style units in my dad's 84 on manual control, and they are still working just fine... how long are you holding them on? Did you reuse the factory harness and relay? __________________ The workhorse: 86 F250 6.9 4 speed 4wd 4.10 gears, electric fuel pump The other workhorse: 92 F350 2wd crew cab, 92 6BT Cummins, NV4500 and GV overdrive unit, 4.10 rear axle

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