Glow Plug Questions.

[awake1630]

Hey whats up everyone.

I have a couple of questions about the glow plugs in my truck.

I have a 97 Chevy K2500 6.5TDL Ext Cab Short Bed, Has the 4 inch exhaust and the heat sync already. Last week when i would start the truck in the morning the wait to start light would blink for about 10 seconds while the truck was running. It stopped and then didnt happen the rest of the day. Now the truck is having trouble starting in the mornings. Im guessing the glow plugs are about done. I ordered the instant heat ones this week. Does this blinking light mean the plugs are about ready to go out.

Thanks John

[Bennie]

i would also check the wires that go to the fuel heater and water in fuel indicator on the bottom of the fuel filter houseing as they are a part of the circuit. there is a fuse under the hood 20 amp that will blow and the light will still come on but the glow plugs wont work.

[awake1630]

Can someone tell me where i can find the glow plug relay.

Thanks

[Garth J]

ssdieselsupply.com Garth

[TedReminder]

It is a good idea to replace the controller/relay along with new glow plugs. Like all other electric switching devices, the contacts get burnt and pitted. You will find it on your truck just behind and a bit to the driver side of the fuel filter. Very easy to swap out. The part is easy to find, dealer will rape ya $$$. Walt has them at a reasonable price. Most chain auto parts stores carry them if you need one right away. Napa, Auto Zone, Federated, etc.
It's a good idea to let us know where you are from too.
Oh, the glows normally cycle a few times after the engine is running.
Ted

[Scrufdog]

once its gets cold enough outside it is normal for the truck to cycle the glow plugs after the truck is running, for a short time. Generally once the truck has been running it wont have to do that the rest of the day.

The relay is generally located right behind the fuel filter housing, in the center area of the firewall

[awake1630]

Any tips on getting the glow plugs out. Both sides especially the Passanger.

Thanks John

[3bals]

I just changed mine this fall. The driver's side is as easy as changing sparkplugs. The pass side is another story. There is a way to get at them if you jack up the truck on the pass side and remove the wheel. There is a rubber skirt that keeps the water and stuff away from the engine. That needs to be removed. There are also metal heat shields that protect the glowplug wires that need to be removed too. My heat shield nuts were pretty well rusted on, but with a little well placed blue flame they came right off.

I didn't use this method to change my glowplugs. I went in from the top. I removed the airbox, the heat shields, the turbo and the down pipe. I have a 3" down pipe with a 4" exaust. So reoving the down pipe, now that it is all one piece, was an extra chore. Basically I had to remove the whole exhaust system. Before I put it back together I bought some header flanges from Summit Racing, cut my down pipe and welded them in near where the factory kat flange was so I can just unbolt it to remove the downpipe next time. The reason I went in from the top was because I had to replace the injector pump at 197,000 miles and I figured it would be a good time to change the glowplugs too.

Another tip is to use plenty of high heat anti sieze compond on the parts during reassembly.

Jody

[hoodooharry]

Any tips on getting the glow plugs out. Both sides especially the Passanger.

Thanks John

The way to access passenger side glow plugs is to remove the fender. It may sound like a big job but it is realy quite simple. I had mine off in less than half an hour. Pay attention to body shims and replace them to the same location as removed. Leave the inner fender atached to the fender and remove as a whole package. It is much easyer than it looks and gives very good access to the glow plugs and anything else you may need to work on behind the finder.

Harry

[awake1630]

Tackled those Glow Plugs and relay on Sunday. All came out with no hassle. Drivers side was done in 10 mins. Took the inner fender well out of the passanger side which was very simple and those plugs took about a half hour because the exhaust had to be moved over to get to one plug. Other than that the whole job was not that bad.. Used plenty of Never Seize on all the new plugs.

[3bals]

Atta Boy! :)

[madcarson]

where is relay on 98 under heat shroud?

[TedReminder]

Mad, Go back in this thread and you will find the answer.
But, anyhow, it is between the fuel filter and firewall. I take it you mean glow plug controller when you say relay? Need to see what it looks like? Go to SS Diesel website and look up the part, there is a pic there.
Ted