Manual Glow Plug Help?

[ccf460]

I tried to search for the answer, but no luck, so.....
I want to control my glow plugs manually , no automatic
function at all. Do I just cut the light blue wire at the controller
and wire it to a grounding momentary switch, or do I need to
do something else to prevent the system from activating the
plugs on it's own? I have to switch the ignition back and forth
to activate the plugs (sometimes they cycle, sometimes not?)
I also don't like having to wait for them to cycle when the engine
is hot and it's 90 degrees outside. Manual only seems like the
way to go. Thanks in advance.

ETA: It is a 1985 1009

 

[idM1028]

Try reading the troubleshooting section on glow plugs in the wiki first. I just found out today that my glow plugs are shot.

 

[ccf460]

I may have glow plug problems, but they seem to be working fine before a drive in a
monsoon rainstorm, besides the waiting to start even when hot issue. I really want a manually
controlled system.

 

[dstang97]

Only do push button as an emergency back up. You most likely have a bad glow plug or two. "No need to redesign the wheel."

 

[ccf460]

Would a/some bad glowplugs cause the issue of having them cycle
even when the engine has been driven for an hour in 90 degree heat
parked for 15 minutes, then restarted?

 

[dstang97]

It could be a couple different things. follow post #2 and report back. If it was my truck I would pull verify/ change the plugs and go from there. if that doesn't help the get a new temp sensor.

 

[deuceaid]

I am not familiar with the cucv wiring, but as a former tractor mechanic, I would go the manual route, ( and yes check that each plug is good in addition to that, they do go bad)... not sure about grounding a wire unless the relay is feed off the main hot going to the plugs,,, read some schematics if you can find them...

 

[Warthog]

Absolutely.

The stock system works very well when all the components are working. The troubleshooting section of the TM 9-2320-289-20 has a great section on how to check the GPs. There is also a great sticky on the CUCV forum on how the GP system works.

If you do install a manual switch, it only takes one wire to provide a ground for the solenoid.

 

[idM1028]

Would a/some bad glowplugs cause the issue of having them cycle
even when the engine has been driven for an hour in 90 degree heat
parked for 15 minutes, then restarted?

It could. I'm stuck out in the same God-awful NC heat. The other day I had the truck parked for maybe an hour during the day. When I came back the truck started up no problem, but I could still hear the GP relay cycle about 2 or 3 times AFTER the truck had been started. I replaced the relay (since the housing was cracked anyways) and the truck seems to do it LESS (especially after start up) but it seems like it still wants to cycle them anyways.

 

[deuceaid]

It could. I'm stuck out in the same God-awful NC heat. The other day I had the truck parked for maybe an hour during the day. When I came back the truck started up no problem, but I could still hear the GP relay cycle about 2 or 3 times AFTER the truck had been started. I replaced the relay (since the housing was cracked anyways) and the truck seems to do it LESS (especially after start up) but it seems like it still wants to cycle them anyways.

Your smarter than the so called control unit,,,, jerk that fraker out,, and make it WORK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1zuSs0lah4
then again,,, Im just a poor tractor mech

 

[ccf460]

Is it not bad for the plugs / system for them to operate while the
engine is starting or running?

 

[tgtaylor64]

It is called 'after glow' and helps reduce emissions/rough idleing while the engine warms up to operating temperature. A manual system will never be as effective as a properly working controlled system.

 

[rednckii]

what i did on mine was rip out all the glow plug electrics except the wires off the actual plugs. they all merge into one thick wire on each side connect those two wires and run them to a momentary switch i used an aftermarket starter switch. from there just run it to a 12 volt power source ground it and ur good to go have mine like this since i got it. was already missing the realy and resistors so it was easy for me to convert works great no problems as of yet. Just be sure you go to a 12v and thats what they get otherwise youll burn em up.

 

[Larch]

I recently installed a manual glow plug switch as a backup to the glow plug card. I spliced into the light blue wire, took that to the switch and then grounded the other end of the switch. My switch didn't work at first, I had to reverse the wires on the manual switch and now it works.

 

[Warthog]

You know, I need to go in the business of making replacement wiring harnesses for all the people that buy a butchered truck from someone that thought they knew more than the GM engineers and want to put it back to stock. I would make a killing

 

[natemccabe]

just my , but I live in Fairbanks, AK, hihgs in the 70's lately; the glow plugs come on first thing in the morning for what seems like the correct amount of time, 7-10 seconds, starts after a few cranks. Then the rest of the day restarts even before I finish turning the key. I'd have to say if yours is not doing the same in the gawd awful heat down south there is sumthin dreadfully wrong.

 

[Disciple]

I, like Larch, have a switch hooked up in mine but left the Controller card hooked up. If I leave it alone the card controls the relay, but if I happen to be out in the middle of nowhere and it's cold, I can use the switch as a backup if the card goes bad. I say test your plugs and relay. If it's still acting up it could be your controller card going bad, but from my knowledge they're usually a "work or don't work" kind of a part. There is plenty of info on this site about all of this if you spend some more time searching. Sorry I don't have links for you. If you want to do this though, just don't cut the light blue wire. Just splice into it instead and leave it hooked to the card. Run the other side of the switch to ground. Momentary switch is preferred in case someone who doesn't know what they're doing flips the switch and leaves your plugs on.

 

[deuceaid]

It is called 'after glow' and helps reduce emissions/rough idleing while the engine warms up to operating temperature. A manual system will never be as effective as a properly working controlled system.

if you dont KNOW how cold it is, or if you`ve driven today,, or if you want to do a flyby,,, , DONT get on an AIRBUS( eurocrap)... dont trust the SO CALLED computer,,,

and... (i am making enemies right know)...screw that gm wiring..


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5NXpar4Ouw[/media]

 

[deuceaid]

and... (i am making enemies right know)...screw that gm wiring..


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5NXpar4Ouw[/media]

when it worked over a little,,, this is what the poor air france/airbus pilot wanted to do,,, but he died and killed his copilot......

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IImDKqBjImw&NR=1[/media]

 

[ccf460]

Maybe , I am misunderstanding the system. The guy that sold me the 09 said that
I would ruin the glow plugs if the truck was cranked or running when they were
heating. If this is not the case, I will just add a manual backup switch. Also, try to
make sure everything is up to par on the rest of the system. The truck has been
smoking alot until fully up to temp, maybe that afterglow thing?