Left Glow Plug Switch On Fried Something

[TrueBurner]

Left my glow plug switch on after starting and driving my truck. Not sure if it got switched on by accident after starting it and driving because I usually turn it off after 10 seconds before starting truck. Anyway about a hour later I was near my truck and it had that electrical burn smell, opened the hood and the starter solenoid was smoking. Wasn't sure what was causing it until I realized the switch was still on. First off I thought the system that was installed with a breaker would prevent anything like that and the breaker was indeed tripped. Second, I replaced the starter solenoid and the ring terminals that were doing the smoking. I did not replace the entire wiring line, just cut the wire shorter and put new ring terminals on. After doing that, still no luck with getting the glow plug switch to engage now, put a backup switch on to see if it was that but nothing. Not sure where the issue may be stemming from. Truck still started this morning but had to spray some starter fluid to get it going. Once warmed up, truck still starts and runs fine.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Kdo58]

I would pull the glow plugs out to see what they look like, and I use a momentary switch.

 

[franklin2]

You must use a momentary switch to prevent this from happening again. Glowplugs are not cheap.

 

[IDIBRONCO]

You must use a momentary switch to prevent this from happening again. Glowplugs are not cheap.

100%!
A breaker only prevents any draw over what it's rated for. If your draw is less than that, then a breaker won't help. You most likely burned out your glow plugs first and then some wiring. The starter solenoid was probably smoking because of the constant power going through it which made it hot. I feel that you got lucky and found this out before costing you more money and possibly a break down while driving. You'll need to replace your glow plugs and check all of the glow plug wiring for signs of getting hot.

 

[Rdnck84_03]

You must use a momentary switch to prevent this from happening again. Glowplugs are not cheap.

Definitely agree! I would never chance the glow plugs with any kind of a switch that didn't default to the off position.

I have my high idle and cold advance on toggle switches and have numerous times forgotten to turn them off.

James

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I would never chance the glow plugs with any kind of a switch that didn't default to the off position.

Or a push button, which does the same thing.

 

[TrueBurner]

Amazing feedback, thank you all! I inherited it like this and obviously don't have enough knowledge yet to know I should have changed certain things. I just took it to a friend of mines who way better at knowing how electrical works since thats not my forte. So there is power getting to the solenoid from the breaker and the switch. But there is no power going to the post that connects to the glow plugs. Which makes me believe it's not necessarily the glow plugs that need replacing potentially because there is not even any power getting to the post on the solenoid. Is that assumption correct? Possible just a dead solenoid on arrival? Which wouldn't surprise me as I got the only cheap one that I could get locally

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Is that assumption correct?

Possibly, but you won't know until you, at least, do the test light test to them and see whether or no they're burned out.

 

[TrueBurner]

We did a voltage test on the solenoid and everything checked out but the post on the solenoid that attaches to coil and then leads to glow plugs had no charge. So we didn't even use the meter to check on the specific glow plugs because we thought there is no power going to them from the solenoid itself. Would dead glow plugs make it so that post wouldn't get any charge at all? We came to the conclusion that if the post had voltage and it still didn't fire than it would be glow plugs or wiring connecting to plugs but if the post had no voltage than it must be the solenoid. Not sure how close we are in our conclusion.

 

[ironworker40]

Put a test light wire on the positive on the battery. Touch pointy end of test light to each glow plug with wire removed. The ones that don't light are dead. Pull all glow plugs even the ones that test good and look at the tips. Use momentary switch like other have said or fix glow plug controller and let it work automatically. Either should not be used unless glow plug power is disabled.
Buy a Ford shop manual and Diesel supplement. You will need it now and in the future.

 

[Rdnck84_03]

Or a push button, which does the same thing.

Both of mine have a push button, but I have seen spring loaded momentary toggle style also.

James

 

[XOLATEM]

NEW NOS Standard Motor Product HB-7 Horn Button Vintage Vtg | eBay

We try to catch everything & take lots of pictures so you know what you are getting. We're happy to provide extra photos and info.

www.ebay.com

This is what I use...had it left over from the 1980's...

I had a van that the alternator would not charge unless I 'tickled' it...and bought a spare in case I torched the first one...

mounted this on the dash of my current truck and bathe in the memories of driving that van and being...'The Transmission Man in the Van'...

Works good for my glow plugs...less amperage flowing though it...should last for a good while...

This will work better for you...it is truly 'momentary'....

 

[tbowker]

This is what I use, I use the same type to start the truck also. I have a toggle switch for the run position and the key only unlocks the steering.

 

[Old Goat]

Both of mine have a push button, but I have seen spring loaded momentary toggle style also.

James

I use one like this.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

On my 86 it is mounted just to the left of the GP Light ready to start thing. Drilled a hole in the black plastic panel and isn`t noticeable.
With key on, count 6 - 8 or ?? depending how cold it is.


Goat

 

[IDIBRONCO]

Would dead glow plugs make it so that post wouldn't get any charge at all?

No. The current flows from the solenoid to the glow plugs not the other way around.

Not sure how close we are in our conclusion.

Sounds pretty close, but you still need to check your glow plugs while you're in there.

but I have seen spring loaded momentary toggle style also.

That's how my Blue Truck was set up when I bought it and it's still that way today.