Wait to start light quick to go out
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New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3
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From: North Carolina
Wait to start light quick to go out
I have an 88 F250 with a 7.3L diesel. Here's the problem. A few weeks ago my "wait to start" light would go off almost instantly when I turned the switch to heat the glow plugs. I took it to a diesel mechanic who replaced the glow plugs. Started much sooner, "wait to start" light worked like normal again. Great.
But now, about 3 weeks later, the "wait to start" light is going off almost immediately again, and the plugs must not be heating because it is HARD to start. To get it going I plugged in the heater on the engine block, and after it gets warm, I can get it started. My mechanic is swamped with work and didn't want to take on any more work. Said it might need a controller. But my neighbor who is one of the most mechanical minded folks I know thinks it might be shorting.
Should I get a controller and replace the old one. My neighbor said he would help me if I needed assistance.
My mechanical ability is on a one to ten scale about a .03!! So if you reply, please give advice that anyone could understand! Thanks, and glad to be aboard!
dieselfarmer
But now, about 3 weeks later, the "wait to start" light is going off almost immediately again, and the plugs must not be heating because it is HARD to start. To get it going I plugged in the heater on the engine block, and after it gets warm, I can get it started. My mechanic is swamped with work and didn't want to take on any more work. Said it might need a controller. But my neighbor who is one of the most mechanical minded folks I know thinks it might be shorting.
Should I get a controller and replace the old one. My neighbor said he would help me if I needed assistance.
My mechanical ability is on a one to ten scale about a .03!! So if you reply, please give advice that anyone could understand! Thanks, and glad to be aboard!
dieselfarmer
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 40
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From: Post Falls, Idaho USA
Wait to start light quick to go out
First question is what brand of plugs are in there? If they are Autolites or Champions, get them out. They have been known to burn out after a few uses. Also check the contollers ground wire run to the valve cover. That may be getting a bad connection. Motorcraft or Beru is the only plug to go with unless you go with constant duty plugs. Takes a different wiring system with a momentary switch to run them.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 138
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From: CT, USA
Wait to start light quick to go out
I agree with the other poster. Use Beru or Motorcraft gp's.
Available at Autozone for $10@. You can replace them yourself easily.
Another poster said that the relay controller gets fooled into a short heat cycle if one or more gp's are not working.
I had a short cycle too, until I discovered 1 bad gp and 1 bad connector. After fixing it, the cycle was longer and the truck started a little easier. Ask your mechanic to check all the connectors for corrosion or opens, not shorts.
Available at Autozone for $10@. You can replace them yourself easily.
Another poster said that the relay controller gets fooled into a short heat cycle if one or more gp's are not working.
I had a short cycle too, until I discovered 1 bad gp and 1 bad connector. After fixing it, the cycle was longer and the truck started a little easier. Ask your mechanic to check all the connectors for corrosion or opens, not shorts.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3
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From: North Carolina
Wait to start light quick to go out
Fellows,
Thanks much for the advice. But here is some new information regarding the problem. I got in my truck Sat. night and it worked just like normal. Today (Monday) and it's heat starting just fine, with the "wait to start" light functioning normally. Any further advice given this new info?
Dieselfarmer
Thanks much for the advice. But here is some new information regarding the problem. I got in my truck Sat. night and it worked just like normal. Today (Monday) and it's heat starting just fine, with the "wait to start" light functioning normally. Any further advice given this new info?
Dieselfarmer
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
Wait to start light quick to go out
I just knew it ... we had that puppy scared skinny. Glad to hear ya got it fixed.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Wait to start light quick to go out
many of the older diesels were converted to manual glow plug switches because of the high replacement cost of controllers. replacing a few plugs now and then is much more cost effective.
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