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stantjeeper85
02-09-2007, 10:43
I'm sure that as you guys read the title you're shaking your heads and sighing over the thought of a post on such a beaten up topic. Yes I should do a search, and I will when I have time. However at the moment I'm at work and don't have time to do a search. I'm picking up a 1985 C10 6.2L N/A Suburban tonight, well, if it will start. I've tried starting it before, and it acts like it doesn't want to turn over. Doesn't sound like the battery is dead, or the starter. To me, it sounds like the glow plugs are bad. I don't know a whole lot about the 6.2. If you guys could take a moment to shoot me some suggestions on where to look for problems, and how to get it started tonight, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Andy

moondoggie
02-09-2007, 12:48
Good Day!

"...it acts like it doesn't want to turn over. Doesn't sound like the battery is dead, or the starter. To me, it sounds like the glow plugs are bad." What does this mean? Does the engine crank? Is the cranking rpm adequate? (I don't know what cranking rpm is required, but if it cranks too slowly, it'll never start.)

Does the glow plug light in the dash go on for ~ 8 seconds, then out, after the key is turned to the run position? If not, troubleshoot the glow plug controller.

If it cranks fine & the glow plug light goes on, but won't start, then, yes, check the glow plugs. Easiest way is to use a 12V test light. Connect the alligator clip on the 12V test light to a positive battery post (either battery, doesn't matter). Removed the glow plug connector, then connect the 12V test light to the glow plug. If the test light lights, the glow plug is good (> 99% confidence).

If it cranks OK, & the glow plugs are good, I guess next I'd crack an injector line at an injector & see if it squirts every other time around. If not, no fuel (for any one of a number of reasons).

Good Luck & Blessings!

stantjeeper85
02-11-2007, 11:15
Good Day!

"...it acts like it doesn't want to turn over. Doesn't sound like the battery is dead, or the starter. To me, it sounds like the glow plugs are bad." What does this mean? Does the engine crank? Is the cranking rpm adequate? (I don't know what cranking rpm is required, but if it cranks too slowly, it'll never start.)

Does the glow plug light in the dash go on for ~ 8 seconds, then out, after the key is turned to the run position? If not, troubleshoot the glow plug controller.

If it cranks fine & the glow plug light goes on, but won't start, then, yes, check the glow plugs. Easiest way is to use a 12V test light. Connect the alligator clip on the 12V test light to a positive battery post (either battery, doesn't matter). Removed the glow plug connector, then connect the 12V test light to the glow plug. If the test light lights, the glow plug is good (> 99% confidence).

If it cranks OK, & the glow plugs are good, I guess next I'd crack an injector line at an injector & see if it squirts every other time around. If not, no fuel (for any one of a number of reasons).

Good Luck & Blessings!

Thanks for your advice. I was able to get it started that evening and bring it home. The biggest thing that helped was having the engine block heater plugged in and warming for most of the day. I did notice when i turned the ignition on the glow plug light did NOT come on. What does this mean? Other than that, the problem is that it seems to crank fine, but wont start. Obviously I need new glow plugs. I will start there.

moondoggie
02-12-2007, 14:45
Good Day!

"I did notice when i turned the ignition on the glow plug light did NOT come on. What does this mean? Other than that, the problem is that it seems to crank fine, but wont start. Obviously I need new glow plugs."

Why do you say that obviously you need new glow plugs? If all 8 of your glow plugs had failed, the glow plug light should still cycle on when you turn the key to run before cranking. The glow plug light tells you that power is provided to the glow plugs. Based on what you've said, I'd guess your glow plug controller has failed, or perhaps there's a fusable link burned out in this circuit (the glow plugs draw a LOT of current - I don't think there's a fuse for this circuit). The only way to know if you have failed glow plugs is to test them as I described, or as others here have described in other posts over the years.

Let us know how it works out. In my limited experience, a 6.2 that will start with no glow plugs, regardless of how long the block heater has been plugged in, is in pretty good shape. Yeah, I know - once they're up to normal temp, I don't wait for the glow plugs either, they start immediately. But, even with the block heater on all day, I bet it still didn't even register on the gauge.


Blessings!
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