brand new glow plug relay & module clicking

[ford man]

hi i have a 1993.5 ford f-250 7.3 idi with 308000 kms i had a buddy change a lifter he shorted out the relay and module so i replaced the relay and module now i have power going to the glow plugs but as it clicks thats wen i have power. i checked my glow plugs with a test light from the positive side everyone of them light up brightso ya + 2 outside it wont start well it will awhile later but if i plug it in it will start just fine so does anybody know why its clicking??? and hard to start.it started just fine wen i got the truck it was after the lifter deal

 

[Diesel JD]

You must either have a loose connection or a bad glow plug that is not being detected by the test light. I'd ohm out the glow plugs and see if one or two seems much different from the others. Also the ground being right is super critical on the solid state system. The test light only picks out glow plugs that are "open" IE they have resistance approaching infinity. If most of your glow plugs ohm out at say 1.5 ohms and another at 7 ohms then the controller will not leave them on long enough to efficiently start your engine. The glow plugs need to stay on about 8-10 seconds in 40-50 degree(farenheit) and if it's cold much longer.

 

[Diesel JD]

Wayne almost right GAINED some resistance.... I'd replace all 8 as a last resort. I had to do it when I first converted over to a solid state system. I had hooked things up wrong and the glows got constant current for maybe 2 minutes. They didn't actually burn out but they were never really right. The solid state controller does not tolerate any imperfections in the system especially not with the ground, connections or glow plugs. At least failure mode is safe, which is more than can be said for the 86 and earlier latching relay.

 

[rhkcommander]

make sure when using the test light method that ya hit the top of the glowplug when its in the block.. if you hit anywhere past the plastic washer it wont properly test the plugs because the light will come on.

If you did touch them properly then I'd suspect corrosion in the glow plug harness. When I bought my truck the previous owner thought it was normal for the clicking and I found out quickly that it was caused by bad glow plugs or the connection to them and its the relay energizing and then deactivating.

To fix that I popped 8 new plugs in and tossed the Champion junk glow plugs away. I replaced the relay as well and I then hooked up a manual switch to it so it only clicks once as it energizes when I push my button in and de-energizes when I let go after several seconds.

 

[plywood]

The biggest question is what kind of GPs are they.

If they are Motorcraft/Berus than you could have a bad GP wire or a bad solenoid supply wire or a bad connector plug between the starter solenoid terminal where the GP system gets its power and the GP solenoid.

 

[ford man]

sorry it took a couple of days to get back i changed all 8 GP with ford ones i checked the power at the connection to the GP and its at 11 volt wen there isnt any clicking goin on so ya i changed all 8 and its still clicking ANYBODY PLZ its really starting to get on my nerves

 

[rhkcommander]

11volt is too low if its on the relay side check the cables/terminals, fuse link, etc. should be matching your batt voltage