By Pass 6.2 Glowplug Controller

[jjp]

I have a stock 83 chev 4 x4...6.2 diesel......I want to by pass the controller that is used to operate the glowplugs.......there is the solinoid relay on the driveres side fender that has the 2-wire plug that operates the glowplugs........everything works fine now but it sounds as if these controllers are problematic............

Is there someone who has done this?....... and can instruct me with step by step intructions to do this?........thanks

[CleviteKid]

A number of us have added a momentary contact switch on the dashboard to operate the glow plugs independent of the glow plug controller. The two little wires going to the solenoid on the fender are indeed where you want to start. Pull the connectors off and with your voltmeter, or with a 12 volt test light, find out which wire is the hot lead from the battery. Leave that one alone.

You want to run a wire from the OTHER lead through the firewall to the dashboard, and drill a hole for a N/O SPST (normally open single pole single throw) MOMENTARY contact switch. You MUST (in my opinion) use a momentary - spring loaded - switch so nobody, including you, flips it on and forgets to turn it off 10 seconds later, and fries some glow plugs. Connect the wire you attached to the solenoid grounding terminal to one terminal on the switch, and connect another wire from the other terminal of the switch to your steel dashboard. When you push the switch, you will complete the ground circuit, the solenoid will close, and the "glow plug" light on the dashboard will illuminate, as will the tips of your glow plugs.

IF you are really nervous about the electromechanical nightmare of a controller on the 1982-1984 trucks, you can convert it to the much more reliable 1985-1993 version. The 2001 Reprint book CLICK HERE (http://www.thedieselpage.com/back01.htm) has my article "Upgrading the 1982-84 Glow System" which gives you the instructions for replacing the weird controller with the newer integrated control and relay.

The Clevite Kid, aka Dr. Lee