Wait To Start...when?
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 498
Likes: 131
From: Pleasanton, CA
Wait To Start...when?
Hi All,
I guess when my uncle got me into Ford Diesels it was back in the mid 80's with the 6.9L, boy not a speed deman. Anyway he always said do not start a diesel until the Wait To Start light goes out, summer/winter didn't matter. I also heard at some point you could break GP by not waiting?
As I read some threads here is seems that may not be true? So what's the scoop? When should I or shouldn't I wait for the Start light to go out?
Thanks...
Mike
I guess when my uncle got me into Ford Diesels it was back in the mid 80's with the 6.9L, boy not a speed deman. Anyway he always said do not start a diesel until the Wait To Start light goes out, summer/winter didn't matter. I also heard at some point you could break GP by not waiting?
As I read some threads here is seems that may not be true? So what's the scoop? When should I or shouldn't I wait for the Start light to go out?
Thanks...
Mike
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 1
From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
Yep, Not exactly true although effective. The wait to start light is a dummy light and doesn't actually show the time that the glow plugs stay activated. They can stay on up to 2 minutes depending on EOT and outside temp. When you turn the key to ON, the WTS light comes on for about 10 seconds and then goes out, however you gp's will stay on even after the truck is started to help clear up smoke. If its summer time and 80 degrees outside, and you pull up at the fuel station. When your done filling, you can jump in the truck and just turn the key, it wont hurt a thing. The colder it is outside, the longer you should wait to start it, Maybe 30 seconds. I don't think you can break a glow plug by not waiting til the light goes out. Remember, its just a dummy light. If you want the real scoop on if the gp's are activated, Run out to your truck, turn the key to ON and watch your voltmeter drop down...When that pops back up 1-2 minutes later, your gp's just turned off.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 41
From: Marble Falls, Texas
Since I'm in TX I rarely wait for the glow plugs or the light. If it's above 40 degrees, I'll jump in and crank it right away. Never had any issues what so ever. However, each truck is different. You have to learn your truck. If you hop in and try to fire it and it sputters, but then let the glow plugs cycle and it fires..... you know if it's that cold or colder, you need to wait. etc. etc.
But to answer your questions, NO, you will not hurt a thing by not waiting on the wait to start light.
But to answer your questions, NO, you will not hurt a thing by not waiting on the wait to start light.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 17,799
Likes: 103
From: Ashland City, TN
The Glow plugs stay on if you wait or don't wait for a minimum amount of time based upon oil temperature of the engine.
Glow plugs assist with cold startups, and assist with chamber pressure during warmup for at least 2 minutes.
So, if you get in and crank right away or not, they are still going to be on.
I wait for the start light in the summer 50% of the time. If its the middle of the day, I jump in and go. If its early morning after night I wait for the light. But my motor seems to be a bit temperamental on start-ups.
Starting without waiting for the light and having sputters and coughs can just be a sign of failed glow plugs or wiring, or even GPR.
In a way, starting without waiting for the light can be considered a diagnostic tool in some rare cases.
But no, your not going to break anything, but unless you are in warm climates like RubberDuck, not waiting wont help you much.
Mine is on for 30 seconds in the morning right now when starting.
I'm definitely waiting.
Glow plugs assist with cold startups, and assist with chamber pressure during warmup for at least 2 minutes.
So, if you get in and crank right away or not, they are still going to be on.
I wait for the start light in the summer 50% of the time. If its the middle of the day, I jump in and go. If its early morning after night I wait for the light. But my motor seems to be a bit temperamental on start-ups.
Starting without waiting for the light and having sputters and coughs can just be a sign of failed glow plugs or wiring, or even GPR.
In a way, starting without waiting for the light can be considered a diagnostic tool in some rare cases.
But no, your not going to break anything, but unless you are in warm climates like RubberDuck, not waiting wont help you much.
Mine is on for 30 seconds in the morning right now when starting.
I'm definitely waiting.
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Just an observation, when I installed my chip, the WTS ligth reduced the time of staying ON, and I have read that other members has noticed the same thing, and BTW in the same wheater conditions than before the chip installation, does anybody can explain that?.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 498
Likes: 131
From: Pleasanton, CA
Thanks guys, I get it now at least I know when my daughter occasionally drives my truck she won't break anything when starting it
I think getting her last text in is more important than watching the WTS light?
Just got my new Stancor GPR I am hoping I can get it installed today?
Mike
I think getting her last text in is more important than watching the WTS light?Just got my new Stancor GPR I am hoping I can get it installed today?
Mike
Trending Topics
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 1
From: Monroe/Ellensburg, WA
You will love the stancor. It is a great product. Takes all of two minutes to install. Just remember it wont sit the exact same way as the original GPR. Doesn't matter. And the wiring doesn't matter either, Long as the big wires go to the big lugs and the little ones to the little ones.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 9,453
Likes: 2,936
From: Reed Point, MT
The base programming in the chip isn't the same as the base program in the PCM. For instance, a NAW4 PCM will keep the "Wait to Start" light on quite a bit longer than a TDE1 program will....which is what you have now if you have an automatic transmission.
There's nothing wrong with your truck now with the shorter "WTS" time. It's just in the programming.
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 7,655
Likes: 7
From: Celaya, Gto. MX
Yep.
The base programming in the chip isn't the same as the base program in the PCM. For instance, a NAW4 PCM will keep the "Wait to Start" light on quite a bit longer than a TDE1 program will....which is what you have now if you have an automatic transmission.
There's nothing wrong with your truck now with the shorter "WTS" time. It's just in the programming.
The base programming in the chip isn't the same as the base program in the PCM. For instance, a NAW4 PCM will keep the "Wait to Start" light on quite a bit longer than a TDE1 program will....which is what you have now if you have an automatic transmission.
There's nothing wrong with your truck now with the shorter "WTS" time. It's just in the programming.
Thanks for your input, and Im certanly that theres nothing wrong with my truck, just was an observation, now confirmed for you. And yes my PCM is NAW4.
