Should I restore OEM GP system?

[iacucv]

PO of my 87 m1008 did some modifications to the GP system. It is now push button manual operated. I didn't mind this but got to thinking after installing some new ac60gs, seeing as I don't know when the gp's are up to temp I could be cycling them excessively. I could also not be cycling them enough and making it tough on my engine. Should I put the GP system back to factory so I can use the light and temp sensor to tell me when to go? I have not started diagnosing the system yet but my guess is the card went and the po just went hillbilly on it. What would you guys do, I am on the fence and winter is getting far too close. Still gotta get my freeze plug heater in the stick on ain't cuttin it!

 

[CycleJay]

Hello Iacucv,

Yes... return your system to the OEM stock system. It works just fine when it is well maintained,
and working properly.
It is always best to stay original, it makes it easier to troubleshoot, and repair when something
does go wrong.

The only exception I would make is doing the "Doghead starter relay mod".
Because the OEM starter relay under the dash has a design flaw that can cause it to stick,
and cause your starter to keep running, causing expensive damage to your starter,
alternators, fusible links, etc.

I speak from painful experience, do the "Doghead mod". You will not regret it,
after you do it, your truck will start reliably every time without fail, and you will
never have to worry about having that kind of starter problem and damage.

After I did the "Doghead mod", I never had that problem again, and I am very happy
about that.

Good luck...

 

[cucv1833]

PO of my 87 m1008 did some modifications to the GP system. It is now push button manual operated. I didn't mind this but got to thinking after installing some new ac60gs, seeing as I don't know when the gp's are up to temp I could be cycling them excessively. I could also not be cycling them enough and making it tough on my engine. Should I put the GP system back to factory so I can use the light and temp sensor to tell me when to go? I have not started diagnosing the system yet but my guess is the card went and the po just went hillbilly on it. What would you guys do, I am on the fence and winter is getting far too close. Still gotta get my freeze plug heater in the stick on ain't cuttin it!

I think the 12v resistor bypass and a stock GP system is the way to go IMHO

You can still leave the push button hooked up just in case. I bought all my GP stuff from CUCVELECTRIC.COM minius my AC-60s and I have the the pushbutton still installed. I had push button only for about 3-months and got tired of dealing with that. Theres thousands of threads on here dealing with this topic on which one is better.
Good luck

 

[cajun666]

 

[wayne pick]

I would use the ORD system, but leave the manual setup just in in case. The freeze plug type block heater is the way to go in cold climates. Put it on a timer set for approx 3 hrs before start time, and you should be good to go.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

It is always best to stay original, it makes it easier to troubleshoot, and repair when something does go wrong.

The only exception I would make is doing the "Doghead starter relay mod".
.

And that's not taking it away from the original, functionally. It's just substituting a superior part, so the circuit works exactly as original, and the wiring diagram is still valid. So, it doesn't affect troubleshooting down the road.

 

[iacucv]

Well I guess that settles it. I will start working and checking out what all was hacked, cut, and maimed in the installation of the push button. Also to see why it was in the first place. I still need to do the GP relay bypass but the Doghead mod was done right away when I got the truck, haven't had any issues really with the rig yet. Just trying to do a lot of preventative measures, it's my first diesel want to make it to work this winter!

 

[Hasdrubal]

I was under the impression that AC60G's needed more time than the stock GP's to heat up. I've always used a manual GP push button. If the wait light goes off after 6 seconds I keep it pressed for 6 more, so double the time. Fires right up on first crank, I also after glow, you can hear the idle smooth out. Perhaps someone with the stock setup can pipe up about this glow period with controller card. As for reliability, I'm getting 4-6 years out of them. No problems whatsoever with this setup.

 

[iacucv]

Hm my wait light does not come on at all. I do the second count in my head.