quinryan
Registered Member
Is there a way to just hard-wire the glow plugs to a manual switch?
CK5
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Glow Plug Bypass?
- Thread starter quinryan
- Start date
What year truck?
Rene
Rene
quinryan
Registered Member
Good question (kinda dumb of me not to provide details). FrankenJimmy is a (cursed) 1982 Jimmy 1/2-ton with the na 6.2. Just to be thorough, it has the 700R4 and the 208.
All the components (glow plugs, controller and relay) are new(ish) with less than 3k miles. Fuel filter is also new(ish), and the tank was flushed out last March and I replaced all the fuel lines when I reinstalled the tank.
In another post, I asked about the GP relay, as when I try to start it, the "wait" light comes on as it should, goes out, and then I crank it. The batts are fine and large and it cranks great. It just doesn't start. After I stop cranking, the "wait" light does not come back on.
Yes, the key is in the right position.
I have heard that it possible to by-pass the GP relay (and controller?).
All the components (glow plugs, controller and relay) are new(ish) with less than 3k miles. Fuel filter is also new(ish), and the tank was flushed out last March and I replaced all the fuel lines when I reinstalled the tank.
In another post, I asked about the GP relay, as when I try to start it, the "wait" light comes on as it should, goes out, and then I crank it. The batts are fine and large and it cranks great. It just doesn't start. After I stop cranking, the "wait" light does not come back on.
Yes, the key is in the right position.
I have heard that it possible to by-pass the GP relay (and controller?).
Manual glow plugs are pretty easy for the early 6.2's. All you really need to source is a momentary push button. You will want something that cannot be accidentally left on.
If you look at the big solenoid on the drivers inner fender area you will see a light blue wire that heads from the solenoid to the glow plug controller at the back of the engine. If you clip that wire about 6" away from the controller you'll have enough to re-route it to the under dash area. Find a nice ergonomic spot for your push button. On one side of the push button you want a wire going to good ground. On the other side of the push button you want that light blue wire. Grounding the light blue wire activates the glow plugs, and the "wait" light will come on too.
It's simple and you don't have anything more than a ground switch that you need to add.
Rene
If you look at the big solenoid on the drivers inner fender area you will see a light blue wire that heads from the solenoid to the glow plug controller at the back of the engine. If you clip that wire about 6" away from the controller you'll have enough to re-route it to the under dash area. Find a nice ergonomic spot for your push button. On one side of the push button you want a wire going to good ground. On the other side of the push button you want that light blue wire. Grounding the light blue wire activates the glow plugs, and the "wait" light will come on too.
It's simple and you don't have anything more than a ground switch that you need to add.
Rene
TexasSilhouette
1/2 ton status
Keep in mind it is very easy to Chernobyl a set of glow plugs with a manual switch, very easy.
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
Not if you have 60g plugs or other self limiting plugs.
quinryan
Registered Member
Quick question: How do I troubleshoot this between the relay and the controller?
quinryan
Registered Member
Thanks!
Finally got around to doing the bypass bit yesterday. MUCH to my GREAT surprise, it took me all of 15 minutes. Usually, any job that's usually worth about 10 minutes is a day-long proposition for me
. Even more to my (and my wife's) surprise, the damned thing started right up 
!
It actually seems to start better than before the GPC died. Maybe it was dying a slow death anyway.
I used a heavy-duty horn button so it has it built-in dead man quality. I count to 5 when it's cold (say 1st thing in the morning) and then key it and it runs. I may not worry about replacing the GPC after all.
Thanks again for all your advice!
Skip in Colorado Springs
Finally got around to doing the bypass bit yesterday. MUCH to my GREAT surprise, it took me all of 15 minutes. Usually, any job that's usually worth about 10 minutes is a day-long proposition for me
. Even more to my (and my wife's) surprise, the damned thing started right up !It actually seems to start better than before the GPC died. Maybe it was dying a slow death anyway.
I used a heavy-duty horn button so it has it built-in dead man quality. I count to 5 when it's cold (say 1st thing in the morning) and then key it and it runs. I may not worry about replacing the GPC after all.
Thanks again for all your advice
!Skip in Colorado Springs
Glad it worked out for you! it's a pretty simple mod if you have the older controller like you do. I've never done it on the '85 and newer style...
Rene
Rene
I have the newer style and I am ditching it all together, just starter solenoid with wires to the glow plugs and a push button to activate.
