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Voltmeter click?

n8roro

Member
141
5
18
Location
IL
Normally there's a click when the voltmeter gets up to proper voltage. I know it's not the voltmeter clicking, but I don't know what causes the click. I'm posting because today the click was stuttering and often. Every time breaking or turning. Seems like a loose wire or connection, but I jiggled the wires and relays under the steering column to try to replicate the noise to trace it , but it would not repeat itself while just idling. I'm sure some of you guys know exactly what makes that clicking noise and can point me in the right direction.
 

dougco1

Well-known member
818
548
93
Location
Cooperstown NY
Most likely it's your glow plugs cycling on and off. If your voltmeter needle stutters with the clicking then your getting a battery draw from your GP solenoid as the solenoid and plugs stutter on & off. Something is telling the solenoid to cycle on and off "very rapidly". First check/replace if need be your glow plug temp sensor, and if that's working or replaced and still an issue, than its most likely time to replace your glow plug card. I would bet it's your glow plug card. I had the same thing happen to me last year and it acted up randomly and got worse as time went on.
 
Last edited:

n8roro

Member
141
5
18
Location
IL

Thanks for the advice. The solenoid connections are tight and I replaced that in the fall with a new one. I'll look up again how to check if it's functioning properly. Is there a possibility that a failing alternator could cause the solenoid to freak out? Sounds like I should poke around under the hood with a voltmeter.

To clarify my understanding let me know if this is how things work under normal operation.

Turn key to on:

Wait light- glow plugs heat and voltmeter shows green.

Wait light off- glow plugs still on.

Turn key to run- engine starts and glow plugs still energized.

A few minutes later glow plugs solenoid turns off power to the glow plugs (clicking sound) and volt meter shows higher voltage (yellow).

This is how mine used to work except the click sometimes stuttered. Now the click stutters whenever the truck moves.


Doug- What's the best way to test the glow plug temp sensor? This seems like a likely culprit. I'll take a look at the glow plug card as well.

Thanks!
 

n8roro

Member
141
5
18
Location
IL
Most likely it's your glow plugs cycling on and off. If your voltmeter needle stutters with the clicking then your getting a battery draw from your GP solenoid as the solenoid and plugs stutter on & off. Something is telling the solenoid to cycle on and off "very rapidly". First check/replace if need be your glow plug temp sensor, and if that's working or replaced and still an issue, than its most likely time to replace your glow plug card. I would bet it's your glow plug card. I had the same thing happen to me last year and it acted up randomly and got worse as time went on.

I think you nailed it with the temp sensor. Ordering a new one:
General Motors 10045847

Wires were probably touching while breaking and turning because there was no clicking when stationary. Thanks for your help!

IMG_20200530_170459.jpg
 

dougco1

Well-known member
818
548
93
Location
Cooperstown NY
Thanks for the advice. The solenoid connections are tight and I replaced that in the fall with a new one. I'll look up again how to check if it's functioning properly. Is there a possibility that a failing alternator could cause the solenoid to freak out? Sounds like I should poke around under the hood with a voltmeter.

To clarify my understanding let me know if this is how things work under normal operation.

Turn key to on:

Wait light- glow plugs heat and voltmeter shows green.

Wait light off- glow plugs still on.

Turn key to run- engine starts and glow plugs still energized.

A few minutes later glow plugs solenoid turns off power to the glow plugs (clicking sound) and volt meter shows higher voltage (yellow).

This is how mine used to work except the click sometimes stuttered. Now the click stutters whenever the truck moves.


Doug- What's the best way to test the glow plug temp sensor? This seems like a likely culprit. I'll take a look at the glow plug card as well.

Thanks!
I pulled mine out and tested with a combination of heat gun and voltmeter. I can't remember if the circuit to the censer is normally open or normally closed when hot.
 

dougco1

Well-known member
818
548
93
Location
Cooperstown NY
I think you nailed it with the temp sensor. Ordering a new one:
General Motors 10045847

Wires were probably touching while breaking and turning because there was no clicking when stationary. Thanks for your help!

View attachment 801678
You may find you still have a glow plug card issue. Mine was acting up "like yours" long enough to burn up or confuse my "original" card. Even if not, it may be a good Idea to have a new card as a spare anyways. Member "Antenna Climber" use to sell them.
 

cucvrus

Well-known member
11,274
9,600
113
Location
Jonestown Pennsylvania
Stupid question, where is the "Temp" sensor located? All I can think of the fast idle sensor (right rear head).
Not stupid at all. The one in question is at the rear top side of the left (drivers side) head. Towards the center near the vacuum pump. Common wiring issue. The updated switch is readily available and the plug is a common plug used on many GM applications. Newer GM vehicles have that plug. Some of the pigtail assembly's are very costly. Good Luck. Be Safe and Enjoy the Weekend.
 

Greasy

Active member
114
64
28
Location
Bakersfield, Ca
I got these from eBay, but have not installed yet.
How id the install go? Cure your issue? I just bought the same kit you did and about going to install mine this weekend. My 1009 will only trip the GP's after sitting overnight, or sitting a really long time. She still starts every time, but have noticed the GP's don't cycle like they use to.
 

n8roro

Member
141
5
18
Location
IL
How id the install go? Cure your issue? I just bought the same kit you did and about going to install mine this weekend. My 1009 will only trip the GP's after sitting overnight, or sitting a really long time. She still starts every time, but have noticed the GP's don't cycle like they use to.

I have not done it yet, but hope to get to it this weekend like you.

It's just a switch so polarity doesn't matter right?
 
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