I have a 2001 E350 Superduty Cube Van, Automatic with the 7.3 PSD. Here in the St. Paul Minnesota.

1. 2 brand new batteries, brand new alternator. excellent cable connections. in the cold mornings my truck is a slow cranker. Whats left? the startrer. If i have it tested does it really matter. I don't think the tester is going to tell me the grease is very old and thick causing slow cranking right? So i need to replace it anyways, right?

2. I came from a 7.3 IDI now I have the PSD. So i am saying i could read the mind of the IDI but when it comes to the PSD I can't read its mind. Meaning. When its cold. You know 5 to 15 degrees outside. I turn the key till the wait to start light goes off. I crank it. but if it don't start popping within 2 cranks it aint gonna start so i have to turn the key off then forward again then crank it for 4 seconds and if it don't pop off, I have to do it all over again. So it takes 10 to 30 attempts to start the van. If I were to hold the key forward and keep cranking, absolutely nothing happens and I can only crank for about 30 seconds before the starter starts slowing down very quickly. Mind you this is with the van plugged in all night. It progressively gets better with each starting attempt. Sometimes when it pops off but don't start, I get a big poof of smoke out my intake system. Technically like a backfire through the carb. I did discover that it wants to start better with the foot off of the pedal. But I did notice that if i put the pedal to the metal while starting. Then it starts, it won't rev up at all until you fully release the accelerator pedal. Then its back to normal. When it starts, which it always does. There is never smoke. All is good in that department. Truck has 150K So the question is. can my glow plugs be "worn" down. Or are they either they work or don't? Is there such a thing as a tune up for a diesel? like timing is what I am thinking. I only had this work van for 30 days now. When it runs, it runs beautiful. I love how the computer idles it higher and lower depending on the temp. OR are these multiple attempts to start related to the first question above. Maybe because I don't have very fast cranking, it wont start as quick as it should? Bringing all the blame back to the starter. Or is the starter slow because its out of time?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Try posting here 1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

 

Oops. Didn't notice the F part.

 

No problem, probably get quicker responses in the 7.3 section.

 

Hmm. I used to live in Osceola Wisconsin. Seen many changes go on there.

 

1. check glow plugs & the glow plug relay - may be bad
2. don't try to start it with the accelerator on the floor (or pushed at all) - if I try this with mine, it simply won't start
3. try cycling your plugs several times (turn ignition on, wait for light to go out, shut off & repeat 2-3 times) - this helps mine on those cold, cold mornings.

 

Just because the wait to start light goes off doesn't mean the glow plugs are done warming. I can hear it click off but a lot of people do the LED mod to let them know when they are off. Also synthetic oil helps starting when cold.

 

I have the LED on mine, the light stays on for close to 2 minutes when cold.

 

In regards to the slow cranking, what is the voltage at the starter when it is cranking? Your connections may appear fine but the actual cables could be corroding from the inside out.


Also, make sure to stop by the Minnesota chapter down towards the bottom of the page and say hi!

 

Been here for 9 years, lots has changed in that time...............

If you want any help with anything, just let me know.

 

Good call Chris, on both accounts.

 

At the risk of stating the obvious.....

1. Plug it in

2. Cetane booster in the fuel (every tank)

3. Do the LED mod

4. Synthetic oil

5. Replace starter if other components have been replaced

6. Fluid Film on electric connections and terminals