Any ideas on how? I've replaced 2 glow plug controllers over the past 2 months, last one being yesterday. I am heading to Baja for 3 weeks in 2 days and I just used my spare controller. My question is: in a drastic situation (controller dies in cold weather)... how would one go about "jumping" the plugs for 10 seconds or so to get the KJ started?

I know it's a 7V system so a direct battery + is out of the question...

Anyone have an idea of what pins you may be able to jump in the controller socket?

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.

Not sure it will work on a KJ but in the HMMWV's when the glowplug module went south we would unplug the connector and use a paperclip to jump two of the pins in the connector to turn on the glowplugs,10 seconds max then start the engine and pull the paperclip out.

Maybe contact GreenDieselEngineering.com and ask. I don't think you "absolutely" have to have glow plugs functioning to start the KJ...unless very very cold...

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Founder of L.O.S.T.
2006 CRD Sport
Mods: GDE Hot Tune w/ 364#@2000rpm/Air Box /3" Str8 Exhaust/ASFIR Alum Skids/245-75R-16 Cooper STT PRO/OME LIFT w/Clevis & 4 Spring Isos/AirTabs/Rigid 10" S2 LED/4xGuard Ctr Matrix Bumper
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I had an '88 Ford 7.3 up in the hills and the glow plug controller went out, found that if I plugged the engine heater in it started fine in freezing weather.

If you are absolutely sure that the glow plugs are disconnected, a shot of starting fluid (ether) at the air intake, will get you going. But use just a small amount.

Also have used WD-40 instead of starting fluid when I had a couple of glow plugs out.

On an old 671 Detroit Diesel which is a 2 cycle engine, I used to count 15 seconds while I was squirting starting fluid into the intake manifold, to get it started in 20 degree weather.

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2006 KJ CRD

That's what I was thinking.... I'm just not sure which pins in the controller would work.

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.

I'll be curious to see the answer on this. I'm betting the ECM sends a PWM signal to vary the voltage. Doubt there is a safe way to bypass it. Especially with fragile ceramic plugs. Let us know how this turns out.

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

A 2 dollar can of starting fluid works great. Just give a second long squirt. Don't use it if the temp is over freezing.

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Manure green 2005 CRD sport4x4, GDE Hot tune, Cat Gut, OE skids, Draw tight hitch, Duramax lift pump, 160K on multiple varieties of fuel, XM radio, Escort live with Redline, fog light mod, GPS, Icom IC7000 all band radio call sign KC9QPF, Grabber AT2s on Soft 8s, FIA grill blanket.

You guys saying to just remove the airbox lid and spray it into the intake hose? Sounds like it might be a good thing to keep around....

Still curious if someone has any thoughts on the other topic...

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.

Yep. It has saved me several times when the weather is -30F.

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Manure green 2005 CRD sport4x4, GDE Hot tune, Cat Gut, OE skids, Draw tight hitch, Duramax lift pump, 160K on multiple varieties of fuel, XM radio, Escort live with Redline, fog light mod, GPS, Icom IC7000 all band radio call sign KC9QPF, Grabber AT2s on Soft 8s, FIA grill blanket.

For diesel newbs who may not be aware of the dangers of using starting fluid on a diesel - use it very sparingly. As previously mentioned, a one second shot or less. It would also be a good idea to unplug the glowplugs so that any that still work don't set the ether off violently. You can damage a diesel fairly easily with too much ether - especially when one or more working glow plugs are in the mix.

If you have ethered diesels for years with great success and no harmful consequences, then obviously these warnings don't apply to you. On the other hand, if you've never done it, be careful.

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

Glow plugs + ether + not sure how?? = KABOOM!!

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06 LIMITED 100000miles, MAGNAFLOW, HOMEBUILT CCV FILTER, POLAR PAD, 02 AIRBOX, CUMMINS LIFT PUMP, SEGR, PILLAR GAUGE POD, CAT FILTER MONITOR, SPYDER TRAX, ALWAYS A LITTLE TWO STROKE OIL OR BIO, WATER/METH INJECTION

Do not use either or starting fluid in a glow plug engine. It will be good bye engine, enough said, I will not visit this subject again. You had been warned.

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2006 Black Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
K&N, Samco Hoses, Michelin 245/70-16 LTX A/T2, Fumoto F-102, V-Force Muffler, Mopar, Hitch, Trailer Wiring, Skid Plates, Slush Mats, Rear Shelf, Predator Stage 1, Transgo, ORM & CodeReader, Facet 40109 Pump
"IT'S A DIESEL THING, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND"
Certified Services Auto & Truck Repair

Must agree, it's a roll of the dice at best because the glow plugs can stay on for a long period of time when cold. Timing the spray into the intake is critical. I would never attempt it with this engine.

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06 LIMITED 100000miles, MAGNAFLOW, HOMEBUILT CCV FILTER, POLAR PAD, 02 AIRBOX, CUMMINS LIFT PUMP, SEGR, PILLAR GAUGE POD, CAT FILTER MONITOR, SPYDER TRAX, ALWAYS A LITTLE TWO STROKE OIL OR BIO, WATER/METH INJECTION

Bad idea! Really bad idea!!

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06 LIMITED 100000miles, MAGNAFLOW, HOMEBUILT CCV FILTER, POLAR PAD, 02 AIRBOX, CUMMINS LIFT PUMP, SEGR, PILLAR GAUGE POD, CAT FILTER MONITOR, SPYDER TRAX, ALWAYS A LITTLE TWO STROKE OIL OR BIO, WATER/METH INJECTION

If anyone thinks that it is a bad idea, then don't do it. You probably don't have enough thumb control for safe use. I have used it all my life and have never had an engine damaged by it yet. I have seen others damage their engines by foolishly spraying too much into the intake, or who have used it when the temperature was too warm. If it is used judiciously when the temperature is very cold, it will NOT damage the engine. This is what it was designed for. Also, it is not recommended for engines which use grid heaters i.e. Cummins Ram trucks.

We should all try and give advice from our own personal experience and not just repeat things we read on the Internet, or what "Bubba", down at the corner Quick lube told us.

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Manure green 2005 CRD sport4x4, GDE Hot tune, Cat Gut, OE skids, Draw tight hitch, Duramax lift pump, 160K on multiple varieties of fuel, XM radio, Escort live with Redline, fog light mod, GPS, Icom IC7000 all band radio call sign KC9QPF, Grabber AT2s on Soft 8s, FIA grill blanket.

OK let's hit the reset button on this topic....

Situation: GLOW PLUGS NO WORKY! Controller is toast... it's cold... no access to 110V for block heater....

What do you do?

(would be easy to trace the controller pins to jump if the stamped socket #'s matched the FSM wiring #'s....)

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.

D,
How did you know the controller is bad? Did you get a code?

The only thing I can think of doing is finding a 12volt substitute glow plug and manually switching them for 10-15 seconds each time you start. If you are handy with electronics, it may be possible to find a voltage regulator for each plug and drop voltage from 12 to 7 and manually switch the plugs. Any idea how many amps the plugs pull at 7v?

Yep... pulls a code when it happens. Looking at the wiring schematic it seems that the voltage is dropped to 7V before it gets to the glow plug controller... If that's the case, things got a bit easier... I hope the controller isn't where the voltage is dropped I'll take the meter to it tomorrow.

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.

The following is the most relevant part of a post I made a while back in the tech section. It is based on some testing I did to satisfy my curiosity and have some baseline numbers:

"1. With the engine at about 30F, the glowplugs were showing about 1 ohm of resistance each. This was measured at the connector for the Bosch glowplug control just behind the battery.

2. At this temperature, the glowplugs initially are powered at 7 volts or just under. They drop to about 4 or 4.5 volts at about the same time the glow plug light goes out and float around at this voltage for 15 or 20 seconds before turning off if the engine is not started. If the engine is started, they float around between 3 and 5 volts for a long time. I'll try to define this time more closely, but I know it was at least 30 to 45 seconds. It may be dependent on either coolant or charge air temperature."

It seems to me the controller can vary the voltage, but if it only has a 7 volt supply, that would make bypass possibilities much safer to be sure.

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Matt B.

05 Limited CRD. Bought it new. 112k on the clock now.

GDE Eco-tune, rear differential drain plug (drilled and tapped the pumpkin), transmission pan drain plug, Fumoto oil valve, fuel filler neck restriction removed, front hitch, Hayden fan clutch, Sears P1 battery since 08, Mobil 1 5w40, 5 volt glow plugs, DIY timing belt at 109k

Very interesting... thanks

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Former CRD owner... now I just sit around and stare at the wall.