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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

struggles starting?????

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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 11:54 AM
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Bluebell40
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struggles starting?????

So the last two days in a row my truck has had a terrible time firing over. I just had new glow plug relay and all glow plugs checked so that isn't the problem...starter sounds fine but for some reason won't turn over? I have a driveway on somewhat of a slant and I pull in instead of back in. It sounded like it wasn't getting fuel so I rolled it to flat ground and after pumping the pedal and trying for a good 10 mins she finally fired over?? Does the 96 f250 not have electronic fuel pump? Should I back in so that the fuel stays in the lines and in the motor? Or do I have issues with fuel pump or starter?? Thanks!
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 12:08 PM
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Start with the basics...Batteries are good? Plug the truck in for three hours before you try to start it. If it starts perfect, you have a cold start issue, If it still struggles then were looking for something a bit deeper. Is it cold where your at? Did it start good before this point?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 12:23 PM
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Ya batteries are good! Its about 37 degrees at night...it only struggles first thing in the morning. After that initial start she a charm all day long until the following morning! This just started the past few days. I usually plug her in when it will be in the 30's but didn't these last two times.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 01:32 PM
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pumping the pedal does absolutely nothing on a diesel. That only works on engines with a carburetor. The pedal on yours is all wires. It doesn't even activate till the engine is running.

It sounds like a glow plug problem. Maybe in the wires. If it starts after being plugged in that's where I'd start.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 01:33 PM
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Does it spin over fast? Does it smoke in the morning when it first starts?
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 02:53 PM
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Oh..didn't know about the pedal. But yes spins fast. Starter seems fine and when it does finally crank over she smokes a ton!!! White/gray!!!
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 02:54 PM
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Look at the sticky up above about hard starts in winter. It's got the entire procedure to check the glow plug circuit in there. It's pretty simple if you have a good ohm meter.
 
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Old Jan 27, 2011 | 06:39 PM
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How did you have all the glow plugs and gpr checked as you posted in your first post? To me, if it starts fine plugged in... but smokes a ton on a cold start, either your glow plugs are bad or your gpr is bad or the uvch is bad not allowing power to get from the gpr to the glow plugs...
 
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