what is this???

[colbystephens]

i want to know what this thing does (the deal that plugs into the back of the driver's cylinder head). the sticker on it says that you're in big trouble if you don't have it connected. that said, i had to cut my old wiring harness off of it. so, if i need to connect it to something, what do i do now?

 

[MaxPF]

Is it plugged into the coolant passage back there? My 91 had no such thing...

 

[colbystephens]

IIRC, yes.

 

[Rob 85K5]

Temp sensor for the GP controller? Tells it if it needs to glow by the temp of the water. If you have gone manual, you shouldn't need it.

 

[colbystephens]

that's a beautiful thing to hear. i was kind of thinking that was what it was for.

 

[bear76]

On the back of the cylinder head? The only thing I know of back there is the oil sender. Go to Gm-diesel.com, non-turbo forum, and ask HJacobson what it is, he knows everything about 6.2's.

 

[cegusman]

It is the glow plug temp controler unit thingy you can pull it out and plug the hole with a screw in pipe plug.

 

[colbystephens]

beautiful. i think i'll just leave it, but unhooked. less wiring the better!!

 

[6.2Blazer]

Not sure what this is, the temp sensor for the GP is in the front of the engine on mine...plus I've never seen a temp sensor quite that big, looks like it has at least 5-6 prongs on the connector??

 

[Rob 85K5]

I believe that is a pre 1985 item.

 

[MaxPF]

I believe that is a pre 1985 item.

I'm only familiar with the later glow controllers that use a temp sensor in the water crossover. Now that I think about it, that must be the early type that are fully self contained. IIRC there is no external relay. A thermostatic element closes a switch inside the unit to power the glow plugs. Supposedly these units were short lived and notorious for burning out glow plugs. If you want to get rid of it just get a block off plate like the other head has to replace it.

 

[tRustyK5]

Yes, pre-85 GP controller. The pre-85 GP system does use a remote solenoid though, it's located on the drivers inner fender.

Rene

 

[colbystephens]

what do post 85's do?

 

[tRustyK5]

Just a different set-up...

Rene

 

[colbystephens]

i'd like to see it - anyone have a pic?

 

[MaxPF]

i'd like to see it - anyone have a pic?

Here ya go:

http://www.usdieselparts.com/category.cfm?Category=1444

The top one on that page is the type you have ($235! Talk about being ass-raped ). The next two are the later types. I'm not sure what the difference is between the 85-93 and the 94-up controller is, but I suspect the 94-up controller is optimized for use with self-limiting (i.e. 60G) glow plugs. Anyway, it is basically a little control module integrated with a solenoid. They were normally attached to a bracket on the back of the drivers side cylinder head.

 

[imiceman44]

Here ya go:

http://www.usdieselparts.com/category.cfm?Category=1444

The top one on that page is the type you have ($235! Talk about being ass-raped ). The next two are the later types. I'm not sure what the difference is between the 85-93 and the 94-up controller is, but I suspect the 94-up controller is optimized for use with self-limiting (i.e. 60G) glow plugs. Anyway, it is basically a little control module integrated with a solenoid. They were normally attached to a bracket on the back of the drivers side cylinder head.

Well i was late to read this thread so Max got all the details for you.
I had this on my 82 van and when i was told it was going to be $250 and they had to order it, I went to PNP and got one for $25 then ended up going manual.
The later setup is much cheaper for some reason.
I have a couple of those now if anyone ends up need one.

By the way Colby
if you want to remove this piece and block off the head, I have some fom the other side that you can bolt on.

 

[colbystephens]

i'll just leave it inplace, unplugged.