How do glow plug controllers work?

Answer 1

the glow plug is only used to pre-heat the combustion chamber on a diesel engine. The glow plugs are electric elements that generate heat as the electrical current passes through the resistance of the glow plug element. Think of it as an incadecent light bulb--as the current flows through the filament the resistance of the filament causes the electrical current to be used and the result is that the filament glows and gives off heat.

now, if you think of the glow plug that way, then realize that if you kept the glow plug on all of the time it would burn out the filament because of the heat that is disipated. So the glow plug controller is used to switch the glow plug ON and OFF, very quickly, in just in the same way as you would turn the light switch on and off. By cycling the glow plug On and Off, the glow plug cools off and damage to the element is avoided while at the same time the heat generated when the glow plug is switched On is sufficient to heat the combustion chamber to cause the diesel fuel to ignite. The glow plug controller makes and breaks the electrical ground for the glow plugs and acts as a very fast switching device.

the glow plug controllers are generally on a timer so that they only work for a short time to get the initial ignition. Once the diesel is running, the glow plugs are no longer needed as the heat in the cylinders from friction and the rise in temperature from combustion are enought to light the fuel off.

hope that answers your question.

Answer 2

Glow Plug Controller

Answer 3

The answer above me is about as dead on perfect as you will find. I have an old Suburban with a 6.2 Diesel, and yes, the Glow Plugs are used to pre-heat the cylinders so that the combustion of the diesel fuel is easier. Diesel works on different properties than gasoline, It has less fuel to air mixture, and the compression in the cylinder generates the heat required for the fuel air mixture to ignite, only by pressure and heat, not from the Glow Plug igniting it, once running, the Glow Plugs have nothing to do, and the controller, or relay, is only there to turn the Glow Plugs on for a designated amount of time.

Don't listen to john m, he has obviously never owned, driven, or even seen a diesel engine up close, and has no clue how they work. Give Best Answer to honda guy, he gave you the best answer you will find.

Answer 4

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The glow plug controller is a timer that operates a solenoid (high current relay) in the engine compartment. This switches the high current to the glow plugs for preheating. The relay is so the high current needed will be in short thick wires that don't come back through the cab. It may be that an electromechanical relay (part of the timer) is used to operate the solenoid. The controller can be replaced by a manual momentary action switch that you just hold operated for long enough. It operates the solenoid, substituting for the timer (controller). Generally it is only for colder weather - if it starts ok then preheat is not needed at all. Where I live car engine and bigger diesels never need preheat. The link below has a bit about this. Search for "6.2 diesel glow plug controller" and there are plenty of hits.

Answer 5

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RE:
How do glow plug controllers work?

Answer 6

The more modern glow plug controllers heat the glow plugs for an amount of time determined by the engine coolant temperature and/or the ambient air temperature. The older ones just heated for a preset amount of time. The glow plugs heat the combustion chamber of a diesel engine to make it start easier/quicker.

Answer 7

is only a timer, in reality.

glow plug is a resistor inside the combustion chamber,located in the way of the injector spray.so the fuel ignite when"passing bye"

the glow plug "light" for a few seconds before the engine start.

Answer 8

how can you tell if the controller is bad