just picked her up yesterday. starts fine runs good, but after the wait to start light goes off, i can hear a clicking sound like a solenoid clicking on and off, on and off on and off, and so on, what is this? also, any info on what the letters and numbers in the vin mean would be great.

 

It is supposed to click off and on after the WTS light goes out. Scroll down to the IDI section and look at the glow plug sticky for more info on how it works. If you have any more questions idi related, you'll get better answers in that section. Welcome to FTE and I hope you enjoy your new truck!

 

VIN Number Decoder offer to you by Ford Trucks Enthusiasts | www.ford-trucks.com Enter your VIN here to decode it.
The clicking you hear is normal. It is the glowplug relay cycling the glowplugs to help cold running.
By the way if you go down the main forum page you will find the page for youe engine with a lot of good guys there. Maybe check it out.
Good luck.

 

thanks eveyone for your help. seems like a great group of people on here.

 

its called "afterglow" and what it is doing,is cycling the glow plugs a bit more while your engine is running to help it smooth out while she warms up a bit.all is good.
the amp draw during this cycle is pretty steep,so be prepared to see your headlights dim with the cycle in the future,when you turn them on after you fire her up.nothing to be concerned about.
enjoy that IDI!

 

thanks man, i just found out i got beat for my old dodge 1500. this truck needs rear brake lines (missing them), rear wheel cylinders. possible proportional valve. along with the keyswitch fix. the kid rigged a 3 way switch and button to start the truck. also i found a few broken off wires that connect to what looks like the glo-plugs. facing the engine to the left of the valve covers is what looks like glo-plugs that go straight into the engine. (im really inexperienced with diesels, bought a 7.3 because i know the durability of them, and i figured it would be a good learning experience) any help would be appreciated, will post some pics soon

 

you came out alright.a HD ford diesel truck in need of some fix up, trumps a light duty doge gas job in turn key shape.........in time,you'll soon agree and then some.you'll have no traders remorse in the end.