Bypassing glow plug controller

[Cabnchassis]

Can someone direct me to a good write up on bypassing the sorry excuse for a glow plug controller on my detroit? Once the truck warms up once for the day the controller no longer functions, thats assuming it even decided to come on at all. My moms suburban controller works slightly better but not too much.

I've looked around the web but haven't seen a clear concise set of directions for bypassing. I was hoping to just run them off a momentary switch.

Thanks in advance for any advice you guys might have.

[mrolds88]

Everything I have seen has been done with a F*&d type starter solenoid wired in with a push button. Pull the power cable and the cable going to the glow plugs off your card and install them on the large terminals of the solenoid and then run your control wires. They make 3 and 4 wire variations of those solenoids. A 3 wire needs a good ground through the case in order to work. The 4 wire does not as the 4th wire runs to ground.

[D13]

And swap to 60G glows and add 10 sec more on time. I use the factory timer a a guide when the beast is cold, when the dash light clicks off I keep the toggle on for 10 more secs.

I took the Ferd part and bolted it on the intake bolts from the (removed) EFE/EGR solenoids. Power from the HOT side of the controller, to solenoid, power out to the glow side of the controller. Used like 4awg lawn mower battery cable (fit the solenoid anc controller studs), ends crimped and heat shrink tubing sealed. Use a ground wire form #4 to the intake stud too. Then ran 2 small wires for ferd part thru hole in firewall, put momentary toggle under dash out of leg's way. Connected feed to hot side of controller, thru switch, then back to ferd ON terminal. Under #50 and allows the 60G self limiting plugs which need 5-10 secs more on time but will not swell.

[Cabnchassis]

Perfect. I'm going to try to do this next weekend. I'm sick of these stupid controllers deciding when they want to work or not.

The glow plugs have been in my truck for ages any tips on getting them loose without breaking one? Just penetrating oil and a socket?

[hatzie]

The 91 should have the more reliable glow controller. I agree on the AC 60G Positive Temperature Coefficient glow plugs. They're more reliable and swelled glow plug failures are unusual with the 60G plugs.

There's a thermal glow-inhibit switch that has probably failed on your rig. Easy fix to get back proper controller operation. Look in my sig for the 1991 R/V series service manuals...

[Cabnchassis]

Awesome. I'll check it out tonight. I've been looking for a service manual too, thats a huge help.