How do you know you know you have Superglow? (1 Viewer)

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

So, I think I figured out why my truck starts like poop and blows white smoke. I am pretty sure I have a Superglow 24v system. I pulled the old glows and they were 20.5v. My PO was an idiot and did some really stupid wiring things to the rig so his use of the 20.5v plugs means nothing to me.

I did a test a long time ago and found that my glow system puts out 20-24 volt for a few seconds and then drops to about 12v for the next 20 seconds until the relay shuts down. I assume this is the superglow system working correctly. So is this behavior proof that I have the Superglow system? I am asking because I looked up my VIN (which is a JDM so it never really come through correctly and may not be showing my rig) says I have the 20.5 plugs.

Thanks!

 

[american psycho]

2 relays I think is the key - gold cylindrical 28610-57030 & black rectangular 28610-54180 is what came off a Swiss '83 24V BJ42 with Super-Glow - as a matter of fact the ones I want to swap for the corresponding 12V versions.

 

[crushers]

yep, that is the super glow system...
if you don't like it then go Wilson and be done with it...

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Nope, I like it.

I just have been having a headache finding the right glow plugs. I know they are the 14v ones, but they are incredibly hard to find here in the states. I looked up a really old o=post and it seesm that the voltage behavior is that of a superglow. It starts at around 20 volts and then drops to around 10-12 for the second time period.

It's great for where I am, I assume, since I had the wrong plugs in for the last 2 years and winters!

K

 

[Tapage]

yep, that is the super glow system...
if you don't like it then go Wilson and be done with it...

the most simple solution for all problems glow related ..

 

[lostmarbles]

So, I think I figured out why my truck starts like poop and blows white smoke. I am pretty sure I have a Superglow 24v system. I pulled the old glows and they were 20.5v. My PO was an idiot and did some really stupid wiring things to the rig so his use of the 20.5v plugs means nothing to me.

I did a test a long time ago and found that my glow system puts out 20-24 volt for a few seconds and then drops to about 12v for the next 20 seconds until the relay shuts down. I assume this is the superglow system working correctly. So is this behavior proof that I have the Superglow system? I am asking because I looked up my VIN (which is a JDM so it never really come through correctly and may not be showing my rig) says I have the 20.5 plugs.

Thanks!

If your engine is a 3B, then I think you should be running 14V plugs.

I see two plugs listed:

19850-68040 - 20.5V, and
19850-68060 - 14V

But the first plug looks like it is only suitable for a 2B engine (in a JDM BJ4#)?

And I wouldn't have thought the voltage behaviour you describe at your busbar is suitable for those 20.5V plugs. (The 12V figure sounds way too low for a 20.5V plug!)

Sounds like you have some sort of automated glow system but I'm not really sure whether it is actually the fabled "superglow" system. (Perhaps you have another alternative automatic system that lies somewhere between the common "manual" and "superglow" systems that we often read about here?) How exactly do you operate it and do you have any dash-mounted glow indication (lightbulb or coil-of-wire)?


Edit: --- I posted this before seeing the last two posts. (They must have appeared while I was researching/typing.) So it looks like you do KNOW you should be running the 14V plugs. Well I suggest ordering them via the Internet if you can't get them locally. They represent a very small package so freight-cost and delivery-time won't be a problem.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Land Chimera

My rig is a bit of a Chimera as many JDM trucks of this era are.

My truck is a 1981 BJ44 with the 2B engine, H41, and vacuum actuated front drive. Like a lot of the JDM trucks around this time, Toyota used these trucks to test out items for future world distribution. For example, I have the h41 and semi floaters, but I have the silver dash panel, but no tachometer. Sounds wierd, but it seesm that they used the 81 rig as a mixed bag for technology upgrades.

I am pretty sure I have the superglow system now as the behavior sounds exactly like the way a superglow system works. I also have stock relays and it looks like everything is configured the way it should be.

My glow system works like this: I turn the key forward (not back) to the run position and the glow light in the silver dash panel (not a glow screen) comes on for about 3-4 seconds. Then the light turns off, but I hear a click about 10-30 seconds later depending on outside temp. When I had a voltmeter on the busbar, it showed ~20v when the light was on, and ~10V until the relay clicked again.

This would explain why my truck has blown white smoke when the temp drops below 40 F. I had 20.5v plugs in from the previous owner and I guess they were only getting a full voltage glow for a second or two and then a half glow (if that would make them warm up at all) for 20 seconds after that.

I would love it if anyone can find out my MFG date that would be great! My rigs frame number (which is the only ID) is BJ44002769. Oh, and odder still, when I look up my frame number it shows the right model (K-BJ44V-KCY) but it shows the 20.5v. When I look up my model only, it shows BOTH 20.5v and 14V plugs as the correct application. So it seesm that my frame number brings up the wrong truck. I am pretty sure the idiot that owned my rig before me didn't swap in a complete superglow system!

Thanks!

K

 

[John Galt]

the most simple solution for all problems glow related ..

Nope, the most simple solution is to unplug the temperature sensor, then the key is your 'wilson switch', and you have control over the length of the full voltage glow cycle. KISS

 

[lostmarbles]

...I am pretty sure I have the superglow system now as the behavior sounds exactly like the way a superglow system works. I also have stock relays and it looks like everything is configured the way it should be.

My glow system works like this: I turn the key forward (not back) to the run position and the glow light in the silver dash panel (not a glow screen) comes on for about 3-4 seconds. Then the light turns off, but I hear a click about 10-30 seconds later depending on outside temp. When I had a voltmeter on the busbar, it showed ~20v when the light was on, and ~10V until the relay clicked again.

This would explain why my truck has blown white smoke when the temp drops below 40 F. I had 20.5v plugs in from the previous owner and I guess they were only getting a full voltage glow for a second or two and then a half glow (if that would make them warm up at all) for 20 seconds after that.....

Yep. From all this - I agree that your 2B engine has "superglow" and that running 14V plugs should cure your starting woes.

..I would love it if anyone can find out my MFG date that would be great! My rigs frame number (which is the only ID) is BJ44002769. Oh, and odder still, when I look up my frame number it shows the right model (K-BJ44V-KCY) but it shows the 20.5v. When I look up my model only, it shows BOTH 20.5v and 14V plugs as the correct application. So it seesm that my frame number brings up the wrong truck. I am pretty sure the idiot that owned my rig before me didn't swap in a complete superglow system!

Thanks!

K

Well I've just spent ages and ages searching but without any real success.

A common production date that seems to come up is Feb 1981 so my guess is that that date applies to you. - But it is only a guess.

And I have the same trouble as you with the glow plug info.

 

[crushers]

ask and you will recieve
Mar 1981 production date

My rig is a bit of a Chimera as many JDM trucks of this era are.

My truck is a 1981 BJ44 with the 2B engine, H41, and vacuum actuated front drive. Like a lot of the JDM trucks around this time, Toyota used these trucks to test out items for future world distribution. For example, I have the h41 and semi floaters, but I have the silver dash panel, but no tachometer. Sounds wierd, but it seesm that they used the 81 rig as a mixed bag for technology upgrades.

I am pretty sure I have the superglow system now as the behavior sounds exactly like the way a superglow system works. I also have stock relays and it looks like everything is configured the way it should be.

My glow system works like this: I turn the key forward (not back) to the run position and the glow light in the silver dash panel (not a glow screen) comes on for about 3-4 seconds. Then the light turns off, but I hear a click about 10-30 seconds later depending on outside temp. When I had a voltmeter on the busbar, it showed ~20v when the light was on, and ~10V until the relay clicked again.

This would explain why my truck has blown white smoke when the temp drops below 40 F. I had 20.5v plugs in from the previous owner and I guess they were only getting a full voltage glow for a second or two and then a half glow (if that would make them warm up at all) for 20 seconds after that.

I would love it if anyone can find out my MFG date that would be great! My rigs frame number (which is the only ID) is BJ44002769. Oh, and odder still, when I look up my frame number it shows the right model (K-BJ44V-KCY) but it shows the 20.5v. When I look up my model only, it shows BOTH 20.5v and 14V plugs as the correct application. So it seesm that my frame number brings up the wrong truck. I am pretty sure the idiot that owned my rig before me didn't swap in a complete superglow system!

Thanks!

K

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

Crushers,

How did you find that out if you don't mind me asking? I have been on the hunt since I bought the rig.

Thanks!

K

 

[crushers]

now you want me to give up my sources?!?!

no big secret really, it was given to me by Sheldon at G&Scruiserparts years ago:
Body Type Names

look up BJ
then 44
then your frame number

bingo...

 

[code 621]

I just went through a similar scenario w/ my 12v superglow system. NAPA sold me 10.5 volt plugs. It would barely start @ 45* w/ tons of white smoke-- 4 wheel auto sold me 6.5 Volt. starts right up @ 30* and no smoke. It was explained to me that the lower voltage rating develops the needed heat faster.

 

[Henry James the 47th]

Regardless of what the EPC says, you ought to be able to sort this out. AFAIK, the Superglow did not appear in most trucks until late 1982, however, there may well have been exceptions, as you mentioned.

Superglow components comprise a timer, a pair of glow relays, main and sub, a temp sensor (green plastic head) on the top of the cylinder head, a current sensor and resistor, which are tapped into the intake manifold. If you have all those bits, and 24v set up, then the correct plugs are around 14v. With the right plugs, the initial glow phase is around 2 seconds, after which you can go to start. With 20.5v plugs installed, the glow period needs to be much longer - 20 seconds perhaps, and this is with full 24v. feed from a primary glow relay. Superglow is not set up to work this way -it is full power from the main relay, followed by start up, after which the sub relay is activated, which supplies a series of stepping down voltages to keep glowing the plugs as the engine warms up.

Obtaining the plugs is easy enough - go to Ebay Australia and look them up. KrazyCritters is one outfit I dealt with for replacement injectors, and they were fine. There are many other suppliers

The fact that both 14v and 20.5 v plugs are listed is no big deal, as certain markets would have had the Superglow system 14v plugs) and othe markets (those with laxer emmision regs, like Indonesia, etc) would have had the earlier slow glow system, which would use the 20.5v. plugs.

By the way, anyone needing spare 24v Superglow components PM me as I have a few of the components in my parts pile.

 

[Henry James the 47th]

I just went through a similar scenario w/ my 12v superglow system. NAPA sold me 10.5 volt plugs. It would barely start @ 45* w/ tons of white smoke-- 4 wheel auto sold me 6.5 Volt. starts right up @ 30* and no smoke. It was explained to me that the lower voltage rating develops the needed heat faster.

The 10.5 volt plugs are suited to the 12v. 2H engine without Superglow, as was found in some HJ60's. 12.v 2H engine with Superglow take 6.5v plugs. 12v. 2H engine with glow controller take 9.5v plugs (i.e. HJ47 until 10/1982).

Voltage is inversely proportional to resistance, as per OHM's law.

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

I got a set of 8 14v from roodogs. They are in but I have not tested yet.

47th gets it sort of right. It explains why my light goes out when the 24v is stepped down. With the right plugs, I should be able to start the rig when the glow light goes out (3 second 24v superglow), and then the secondary 12v glow is to to smooth out the start for around 20 seconds.

Makes sense but It still seems amazing to me since I have been essentially starting my rig all winter in temps around -10*F without any significant glow. I guess that shows my engine is healthy! I can't wait to see how she does on the next cold morning. It was 20*F this morning and I didn't have the block heaters plugged in so tomorrrow AM should be a great test!

Crushers, I had actually seen this page before (I think it was built by a russian guy) but is the number in the column the last frame number in that month or the first? Oh and what's the story with the extra 0? I've seen that beofre while messing with the EPC disks and online. Why didn't they prin it on the plates on the trucks!?

K

Edit... And a question. I can only find one glow plug realy in my engine compartment (a lot fo them have the type worn off). I found the one behind the left headlight. Where is the other one supposed to be?

Thanks!

 

[lostmarbles]

ask and you will recieve
Mar 1981 production date

Nah..........

Feb 1981

I think his official production date is more likely to be February 1981.

(The site you use places his vehicle as EITHER February OR March Wayne)

 

[lostmarbles]

.... I have been essentially starting my rig all winter in temps around -10*F without any significant glow. I guess that shows my engine is healthy! .....

Sure does!

...Crushers, I had actually seen this page before (I think it was built by a russian guy) but is the number in the column the last frame number in that month or the first? Oh and what's the story with the extra 0? I've seen that beofre while messing with the EPC disks and online. Why didn't they prin it on the plates on the trucks!? ......K

I'll jump in and answer this (even though your question isn't addressed to me)

On that site (I had never seen it before) I believe they have simply catalogued random Frame Numbers from people who KNOW their own production dates.



PS. Re HJ47s last post - I believe he means 6V plugs and 8.5V plugs

 

[BreckenridgeCruiser]

I edited the above and added the following question too.

I can only find one glow plug realy in my engine compartment (a lot of them have the type worn off). I found the one behind the left headlight. Where is the other one supposed to be?

Thanks!

 

[Henry James the 47th]

The glow relays are usually right next to one another - at least in every truck I've seen so far. The primary relay is cylindrical, and the sub relay is rectangular.

In the 40 series trucks the relay are, from what I have seen, in the passenger footwell, not in the engine bay.

Does your truck have the current sensor and glow resistor fitted to the intake manifold? Do you have the green plastic temp sensor installed at the front (topside) of the cylinder head? If those aren't present, then you don't have the Superglow, but rather some variant of the slow glow system.

does your dash have a glow indicator light or a small wire coil behind a mesh screen to indicate glow? Post up some pictures if you can please