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I have a 1981 Chevy Luv diesel.My problem is that i am not recieving any current to the glowplugs . The gowplugs are 5-6 volt so I cant just wire around with a 12 volt solinoid (like i did my VW rabbit).Does anyone know where the resistor/controler for this circuit is?? Thanks in advance.

I too have a 81 luv diesel 4x4 with the same problem I am researching and ordered a factory repair for it so if i find anything will let you know or if you find anything go ahead post it

The glow plug on my '82 is located on the passenger side inner fenderwell, directly behind the fuel filter. you can see it in this picture.



I'm pretty sure this is it, although i have never messed with it but can hear it click when the plugs are engergized.

also, the sticker to the right of the relay says "NOTICE: This relay is automatically controlled, any attempt to disable it will result in glow plug damage or failure."

That has to be the relay.

could u post a picture of ur glow plug set up please. having all kinds of problems . prev owner meesed it up with silinoid. thanks

Ok, here goes.

The glow plugs are connected in parallel by one bus bar, shown below.



Then, on hte 2nd glow plug from the rear of the motor, the bus is connected to power from the relay. You can see the wire connecting to the bus here.


I have never actually traced the wiring down to make sure it goes to the relay, but i'm certain, and it has to. Remember, it's a 6 volt glow plug system on these trucks, so applying 12 volt will burn them out.

Here is a full-size engine pic, maybe it will help you determine where things go.

Would you happen to know where i could the sensors for thermal for the glowplugs both my sensors on the water jacket on my truck are bad and cant find anybody that has any cause they were discontinued....

what can i do if my truck does not have the bus bar previos owner must have taken it out. can i get one anywhere? there conected with were now. dont think it works very well

I work at a parts store and have been able to locate one before. They are pricy but there are places that still make them. I would go to a reputable parts store and ask for one, NAPA, Carquest, Ect. If this fails, try an internet search, there are still places that you can get them.

Well, that sux.

I would probably try and get a piece of thin sheetmetal or something and fabricate one. You have to be very careful though, where it could potentially touch the block the bar is coated with some sort of protectant so it doesn't ground out.

Or.....

You could make a good one from some wire eyelets and some wire. Get some decent guage wire, 6 GA or so, and some eyelets. go to the parts store and buy a small bus. mount the bus to the fender and run the wire from the relay to the bus. Then, make 4 individual wires from each glow plug to the bus on the fender you have created. just make sure they are wired parallel, not in series. Wala, done.

Actually in the first pic posted right to left of that relay there is a second relay.They work together when the QOS is energized. The controller to the QOS is under the driverside kick panel. If you need anymore info can give more .......

85coupe I also have the same problem mine is also been taken
out by a previous owner I also dont have sensor the only thing that i know that you cannot get are the thermo sensors that are on the water jacket. But mine is hooked to a switch where i can manually turn them on when needed but I havent had any luck finding the sensor or the parellal bar but with that switch it does great so far have had that way for about a year. Also you can still get manuals for the diesel luv's as well but very spendy.You can also get the glowplug relays(at least where im at) dont know bout anywhere else though.

Sorry for so many posts also the resistor that i think you are talking about is on the front of the truck if you are looking at your battery look at the front of the truck behind your headlight there will be two pretty good sized wires coming out of it and it is bolted the chassis.It is the dropping resistor if you find you need a tester and test for continuity of there is a connect the resistor is good.

I have owned several LUV trucks and almost everyone had a problem with the glowplugs. They would just stop working totally or work very weakley.
I feel that I have found the solution. As you face the engine, the battery box is on the far left of the engine compartment. Look at the positive terminal of your battery. The positive post or wire has two large wires that run off of it. I thing that the joints of these two wires have broken down were there is not a good enough connection to carry to the glowplugs the correct voltage.
Solution that has worked for me is to replace both wires. I cut off all joints and replaced with a straight wire of equal or greater weight.
The sections that I replaced were each 6 to 8 inches in length.
This has worked on 5 diesels (2.2 Isuzu) that I have owned.

My controller died a long time ago. After burning out 2 sets of glowplugs, I have mine hooked directly to a relay (solenoid), connected to a momentary switch. I do a 3-4 second count to start when cold. Much longer than this will burn them out. They are hooked to 12v. Been running it like this for 2 years with no problems.
This was Isuzu's way to get glowplugs to heat quickly, by using 5v plugs hooked to 12v briefly, then using a dropping resistor after initial heating. It works.

thermo king makes a 10.5volt glowplug intended for use in commercial ocianic refrigerated transport.Those plugs work verry well connected to 12v in my 81 pup.