Military Vehicle Repair: M-1009 glow plug system, borg warner, m 1008


Question
Thanx Van for upur past and present advice. I am repeating this just in case my "comments" get lost.Would a bad module card cause the relay to lock closed and fry the glow plugs ? And lastly why you recommended the Borg Warner S 55 relay ? I take it is the best over other brands
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-----Question-----
Hello again Van; After replacing all glow plugs  (13 G NAPA )and glow plug relay (with as suggested Borg Warner S 55 relay) and with a new military glow plug module card (via ebay for $60) I am almost afraid to try and start it up. I have given the idea of a manual push button (to hold down for (what would you reccommend for time ???) and would this have any effect on new module card ???Has the push button way to start affected any other section of the glow plug system ???? I am asking these questions because I really don't need any more problems....and lastly I called  the local Army National truck shops (OMS) 2 of them and I asked if they ever had electrical wiring problems with glow plug systems on their M 1008/1009's and they bothsaid no..It was either the relay or module that failed all the time with the accompanying glow plug failure. Thanx again....Ed M.
-----Answer-----
Hi Ed,
I don't blame you for being hesitant.

If you want to wire the pushbutton, I would just remove the module board.

How long to hold the button will depend on the outside temp.\
If there are any vehicles similar to that in your area, I would time one, and then do your button something like it. I would probably start out with a shorter time myself.

I agree with the GI's. Usually the relay sticks internally, or the module causes the relay to stay engaged.

There is a free online manual site.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&tid=1&page=5

Van

Answer
Yes, Ed, a bad module COULD cause that.
Or the relay contacts could arc and stick closed.\
Or the wrong relay could have been installed.

Or, like in the case of the small black plastic relay the military used on some of them, the heat generated by the relay itself, causes some of the internal plastic parts of the relay to melt.
That melting causes poorer connections, which in turn cause more heat, and more melting.
I have seen them melt and stick open, which just causes hard start problems, cause the glowplugs won't work.
I have also seen them melt and cause the glowplug contacte to stay stuck closed.
That ruined all the glowplugs.

The way to tell if that happened, is measure continuity across the two LARGE posts of the relay, with all wires unhooked. There should NOT be any continuity.
If there is, the contacts are stuck shut, and will ruin glowplugs.

Van