Dealing With a Bad Glow Plug Controller 6. 0 Powerstroke
Dealing with a faulty glow plug controller 6. 0 Powerstroke is basically a rite associated with passage for Ford producer diesel owners, specially when the temperature starts to dip. You walk out to your pickup truck, turn the essential, wait for that will little amber squiggly light to move out, and nothing. Or perhaps it cranks for twenty secs, finally stumbles in order to life, and after that hides your neighbor's house in a heavy cloud of whitened, acrid smoke. It's frustrating, but honestly, it's one of those things that arrives with the place of owning the 6. 0-liter motor.
The glow plug control module (or GPCM, because the enthusiasts prefer to call it) could be the brain behind the pre-heating process. In contrast to the older 7. 3-liter engines that used an easy relay that clicked on on and off, the 6. 0 uses the more sophisticated solid-state controller. It doesn't just turn the plugs on; this monitors them, checks for resistance, plus talks to the particular truck's computer to ensure everything is firing correctly. When it fails, your pickup truck essentially loses the "blanket" for individuals cold morning starts.
The way to Tell if Your Controller Is Giving Up
Usually, the first sign associated with a failing glow plug controller 6. 0 Powerstroke isn't a total break down. It's more of a gradual drop. You might spot the truck takes an additional second or two to catch in the morning. Then, as the particular weeks go by, that "wait to start" light might behave weirdly—either remaining on a long time or flickering off nearly instantly.
The most obvious red flag will be the smoke. In case your truck starts but runs rough for the very first thirty seconds and pours out whitened smoke, that's unburnt diesel. It means the cylinders aren't hot enough in order to ignite the gas properly since the glow plugs aren't carrying out their job. Whilst it could be the plugs themselves, the controller is usually often the culprit if you're getting codes for several glow plugs in once.
Talking of codes, for those who have an OBD-II scanning device, you'll likely notice things like P0670, which is a generic "Glow Plug Control Circuit" code. If a person see an entire string of rules from P0671 via P0678, don't panic and think you need eight fresh glow plugs. It's statistically unlikely for all eight in order to die at the particular same time. It's almost always the particular glow plug controller six. 0 Powerstroke itself that will has decided it's done for the afternoon.
Where Is Thing Located In any case?
If you're looking to repair it yourself, the particular good news is that you don't have to rip the entire engine aside. The controller is usually located within the traveler side of the motor bay. It's the rectangular aluminum box with two large electrical connectors—one green and one black—plugged into the bottom. It's sitting correct on the top of control device cover area, generally tucked somewhat close to the secondary gas filter housing.
It's held straight down by two 10mm nuts. It's a tight squeeze, and you might scrape the knuckle or two, but it's definitely a DIY-friendly work. You don't require a professional shop or a lift to get this particular done. Just create sure the motor is cool prior to you start poking around, because that will area gets incredibly hot after a drive.
The Green and Black Connectors
Whenever you're messing with the glow plug controller 6. zero Powerstroke, pay near attention to the harnesses. These connectors have a small squeeze-tab mechanism. More than time, the plastic will get brittle from your constant heat cycles of the diesel motor. It's very common for the tabs to snap off. In case they do, the particular connector might vibrate loose as time passes, top to "ghost" issues where the pickup truck starts fine a single day and won't start the next.
Before you buy a brand new controller, give those plugs the quick wiggle. In case they feel loose or if there's a bunch of oily grime within the pins, that could be your whole issue immediately. A bit of electrical get in touch with cleaner can occasionally really works.
Why Do These Controllers Fail?
Warmth and vibration are usually the two greatest enemies of any kind of electronic component, and the 6. zero Powerstroke engine gulf has plenty of both. The controller is mounted directly to the motor, so it's continuously being shaken. More than time, the internal solder joints can crack.
Another big great is low voltage . If your batteries are weak or your alternator is on its way away, the controller needs to work harder to push current towards the glow plugs. When the voltage drops too low while the controller is trying to period, it can fry the internal circuitry. That's why I usually tell people to check out their batteries first. If your batteries are three years old and struggling, a new controller is just the Band-Aid that'll possibly break again within six months.
Choosing a Substitute: OEM vs. Aftermarket replacement
When this comes to the particular glow plug controller 6. 0 Powerstroke, there's a great deal of debate regarding whether you need to go with an inexpensive aftermarket version or even stick with the particular Motorcraft (OEM) part.
I'll be honest: this is one of all those parts in which the "cheap" option usually finishes up being more costly in the long run. The six. 0 is notoriously picky about the electronics. I've observed plenty of guys buy a $50 controller off an unique site, only in order to have it fall short three weeks later—usually on the very coldest morning of the particular year. The Motorcraft unit (part amount DY-876 or comparable, depending on your own year) is more expensive, but it's built to handle the particular specific resistance of the 6. 0's glow plugs.
If you're in a touch, an aftermarket 1 will get you moving, but if you plan on keeping the truck for a while, simply bite the topic and get the particular Ford part. It'll save you the particular headache of doing the job two times.
Step-by-Step Alternative Tips
If you've decided in order to swap it away yourself, here's a quick rundown of how to create it go smoothly:
- Detach the batteries. This is non-negotiable. You're coping with high-amperage circuits here. Detach the negatives on both batteries before you decide to touch anything else.
- Obvious some room. You might need to shift the environment intake ducting or even a couple associated with small vacuum ranges to get a clear shot from the controller.
- Unplug the particular harnesses. Squeeze the dividers on the green and black connectors. If they're stuck, a small flat-head screwdriver can assist gently pry them, but be careful—they're fragile.
- Remove the nuts. Work with a 10mm deep socket to get the particular two nuts away the studs. Don't drop them! Fishing a nut out from the valley of the 6. 0 is usually a nightmare.
- Swap plus secure. Put the new controller on the studs, tighten the particular nuts (not too tight, just snug), and click the harnesses back in. A person should hear a distinct "click" when these people seat.
Tests Your Work
Once everything is buttoned regress to something easier and the batteries are reconnected, turn the important thing to the "On" placement. Listen closely. You need to hear a subtle click from the engine bay—that's the controller engaging. When you have the monitor like an Edge CTS3 or even a ScanGauge, you can actually view the "Glow Plug Duty Cycle" or "GPCM Voltage. "
Upon a cold begin, the controller will certainly actually keep your glow plugs running even after the engine has began. This is called "after-glow, " and it also helps reduce that will white smoke plus rough idle while the cylinders are nevertheless starting to warm up. If your own truck suddenly idles smooth as cotton on a 30-degree morning, you've effectively fixed your glow plug controller 6. 0 Powerstroke issue.
Final Thoughts on Maintenance
The 6. 0 Powerstroke gets a lot of hate, but a great deal of its problems come down to simple maintenance plus focusing on how the systems work together. The glow plug system will be vital for the health of your own injectors and your starter. If you push the truck to "cold start" with no functioning glow plugs day after day, you're putting massive strain within the starter and batteries, and you're carboning up your valves and turbo.
In case you suspect your glow plug controller 6. zero Powerstroke is on its way out, don't wait for the very first blizzard to fix it. Do it while the weather is still good. It's an simple fix which makes a world of distinction in how the particular truck runs. And hey, your neighbours will most likely thank you for not fogging out the whole street every early morning!