My 87 6.9 (with the 7.3 glow plug system) seems to have developed one or more bad glow plugs this summer. Somewhere in the 40s, it has problems starting and the WTS light is only ever on for a maximum of about 3 seconds, no matter how cold it is.
At about 50 degrees or above it's "okay". When warmed up it's perfect, so it's probably not fuel related. This morning when it was 50 degrees out, it stuttered a tiny bit but didn't stall or need any excessive cranking.
Back in February, I didn't have such problems, so it's obviously developed during the summer when they didn't really matter, but the system fired them up anyway, as it tends to do. I do recall seeing the WTS light on longer back then so I don't think it's a problem elsewhere, except maybe poor connections to the harness.
While I haven't actually dug out my multimeter and checked the resistance of the plugs, I've already done a lot of reading up on the subject. My conclusion is that it's probably one or more bag glow plugs, based on the behavior. The relay clicks normally after WTS turns off.
Due to trying to pay down debt right now, I'm trying to skimp by as much as I can. I couldn't when it came to needing a new alternator last month, but on this, it's possible.
I am considering just wiring up a momentary push button, but without the WTS light since you have to chop off the wire from the controller, which I'd rather not do. I'd rather have it fixed properly, but if I can wait to spend the $75 on a new full set of plugs, that is best. $10 for some wire and a switch is much more fitting to my budget right now.
If I can put off new plugs until next fall, that would be great. In summer it doesn't need them hardly, so there's no point replacing them in July. I realize there's no guarantee this will work or for very long depending on how bad the plugs are, but since I'm not in areas any colder than upper 20s at night, it might get me by. While it may not start up perfectly, anything is better than tons of cranking that I have to do now on colder days.
Any thoughts?
At about 50 degrees or above it's "okay". When warmed up it's perfect, so it's probably not fuel related. This morning when it was 50 degrees out, it stuttered a tiny bit but didn't stall or need any excessive cranking.
Back in February, I didn't have such problems, so it's obviously developed during the summer when they didn't really matter, but the system fired them up anyway, as it tends to do. I do recall seeing the WTS light on longer back then so I don't think it's a problem elsewhere, except maybe poor connections to the harness.
While I haven't actually dug out my multimeter and checked the resistance of the plugs, I've already done a lot of reading up on the subject. My conclusion is that it's probably one or more bag glow plugs, based on the behavior. The relay clicks normally after WTS turns off.
Due to trying to pay down debt right now, I'm trying to skimp by as much as I can. I couldn't when it came to needing a new alternator last month, but on this, it's possible.
I am considering just wiring up a momentary push button, but without the WTS light since you have to chop off the wire from the controller, which I'd rather not do. I'd rather have it fixed properly, but if I can wait to spend the $75 on a new full set of plugs, that is best. $10 for some wire and a switch is much more fitting to my budget right now.
If I can put off new plugs until next fall, that would be great. In summer it doesn't need them hardly, so there's no point replacing them in July. I realize there's no guarantee this will work or for very long depending on how bad the plugs are, but since I'm not in areas any colder than upper 20s at night, it might get me by. While it may not start up perfectly, anything is better than tons of cranking that I have to do now on colder days.
Any thoughts?