UVCH questions
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
UVCH questions
This has probally been answered before. Have been reading ALOT over the past 18 months I had my truck and this site has saved me countless times. So here is another
What year did the UVCH get updated? Would my 2003 still have the faulty UVCH still be needing the .50 mod?
I ask these as in the past month on the coldest days the truck will not start with out two key cycles on the 20-30 degree mornings. When it does start rough runnning for about a minute then the high idle kicks in and it smooths out. It does blow quite a bit of white smoke at first start. I ohmed the 9 pin connectors and verified that 2 GP's on driver and1 on passenger are not showing anything.The rest were within specs shown here. I was going to pull VC off to do .50 cent mod but if 2003 truck had the updated harness I might need some new GP's.
Also what should my injectors have read at the 9 pin connector? All 7 read 5 ohm except one{cant remember which} read 4.7ohm.I had the ground on the center pin for the injectors.
What year did the UVCH get updated? Would my 2003 still have the faulty UVCH still be needing the .50 mod?
I ask these as in the past month on the coldest days the truck will not start with out two key cycles on the 20-30 degree mornings. When it does start rough runnning for about a minute then the high idle kicks in and it smooths out. It does blow quite a bit of white smoke at first start. I ohmed the 9 pin connectors and verified that 2 GP's on driver and1 on passenger are not showing anything.The rest were within specs shown here. I was going to pull VC off to do .50 cent mod but if 2003 truck had the updated harness I might need some new GP's.
Also what should my injectors have read at the 9 pin connector? All 7 read 5 ohm except one{cant remember which} read 4.7ohm.I had the ground on the center pin for the injectors.
Trying to Gain Knowledge
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: Ezzell, TX
Well if you are going to pull the VC's anyway to replace glow plugs, it would hurt to see if you could make a quarter fit in the connection. It is just added insurance that it won't come apart.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
I had a new "modified" one come apart on me. I have quarters in both sides now.
Since this site is all about learning from other's troubles in the hopes of not repeating them, put this one firmly in the "other's troubles" column.
Since this site is all about learning from other's troubles in the hopes of not repeating them, put this one firmly in the "other's troubles" column.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
I don't think the updated valve cover gasket was released until several years after the final 2003 production run of 7.3 engines (USA only). The FTE members in Australia may know when the updated gasket appeared since 7.3 engines were available a bit longer down under. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,404
Likes: 52
From: Wheatland, Mo
When the WTS light comes on, it is just for reference. The GPs stay on for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes...even if the truck is running. What I usually do is wait for the light to go out then count another 20 seconds. This allows for more time for the GPs to warm things up and helps for an easier start.
As for the smoke, that is due to the bad GPs that you have already found. If you go in to replace them, I would recommend replacing all of them. Otherwise you will be in there again replacing the next old ones when they go out. May as well get them all done if you are going to tear into it at all.
Once the truck high idles, it has created enough heat in the motor and that is when it smooths out.
One way to verify that the GPs are bad and it isn't the harness is to pull the valve covers and ohm out the GPs directly. If you get the same readings as from the harness, then they are bad. If not, then there is an issue with the harness. Check for burnt pins at the connections both inside and outside the valve cover.
As for the smoke, that is due to the bad GPs that you have already found. If you go in to replace them, I would recommend replacing all of them. Otherwise you will be in there again replacing the next old ones when they go out. May as well get them all done if you are going to tear into it at all.
Once the truck high idles, it has created enough heat in the motor and that is when it smooths out.
One way to verify that the GPs are bad and it isn't the harness is to pull the valve covers and ohm out the GPs directly. If you get the same readings as from the harness, then they are bad. If not, then there is an issue with the harness. Check for burnt pins at the connections both inside and outside the valve cover.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Thanks for the replies. I was wondering about the update thinking that Ford may have used the newer harness in the last year they had the 7.3. Didnt want to stuff a quarter and break the harness like some have I read about.
I had planned on doing all 8 GP's in the next few weeks just for piece of mind as well as the re-torque of the hold down bolts. Hoping that the 50 cent is all it needs with the GP's and not the harness's.
BTW this site now consumes almost all of my free internet time just reading about all of everyone else issues. Has taught me alot about my truck. Thanks again
I had planned on doing all 8 GP's in the next few weeks just for piece of mind as well as the re-torque of the hold down bolts. Hoping that the 50 cent is all it needs with the GP's and not the harness's.
BTW this site now consumes almost all of my free internet time just reading about all of everyone else issues. Has taught me alot about my truck. Thanks again
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Glen Rose,Texas
BTW this site now consumes almost all of my free internet time just reading about all of everyone else issues. Has taught me alot about my truck. Thanks again[/quote]
Sucked another one in.
....Glad you are here!
Sucked another one in.
....Glad you are here!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: coquitlam,BC
This has probally been answered before. Have been reading ALOT over the past 18 months I had my truck and this site has saved me countless times. So here is another
What year did the UVCH get updated? Would my 2003 still have the faulty UVCH still be needing the .50 mod?
I ask these as in the past month on the coldest days the truck will not start with out two key cycles on the 20-30 degree mornings. When it does start rough runnning for about a minute then the high idle kicks in and it smooths out. It does blow quite a bit of white smoke at first start. I ohmed the 9 pin connectors and verified that 2 GP's on driver and1 on passenger are not showing anything.The rest were within specs shown here. I was going to pull VC off to do .50 cent mod but if 2003 truck had the updated harness I might need some new GP's.
Also what should my injectors have read at the 9 pin connector? All 7 read 5 ohm except one{cant remember which} read 4.7ohm.I had the ground on the center pin for the injectors.
What year did the UVCH get updated? Would my 2003 still have the faulty UVCH still be needing the .50 mod?
I ask these as in the past month on the coldest days the truck will not start with out two key cycles on the 20-30 degree mornings. When it does start rough runnning for about a minute then the high idle kicks in and it smooths out. It does blow quite a bit of white smoke at first start. I ohmed the 9 pin connectors and verified that 2 GP's on driver and1 on passenger are not showing anything.The rest were within specs shown here. I was going to pull VC off to do .50 cent mod but if 2003 truck had the updated harness I might need some new GP's.
Also what should my injectors have read at the 9 pin connector? All 7 read 5 ohm except one{cant remember which} read 4.7ohm.I had the ground on the center pin for the injectors.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Pulled the driver side VC today and the front portion of the plug was somewhat out. I did a quarter mod and put in 4 new GP's today. Took about 2 and half hours. The air tools helps out though....
I did discover a large crack where my intake hose clamps, in the rubber. So gotta get one of these tomorrow.Dorman OE Solutions 696-202 - Air Intake Hose | O'Reilly Auto Parts
This was pretty simple after readin about it here and knowing what to look for. This site
I did discover a large crack where my intake hose clamps, in the rubber. So gotta get one of these tomorrow.Dorman OE Solutions 696-202 - Air Intake Hose | O'Reilly Auto Parts This was pretty simple after readin about it here and knowing what to look for. This site
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
Got me a .50 cent mod
Today had some more time and it was warm so I pulled the passenger VC and got the other quarter in. This clip was not un done but all my glow plugs on this side were more swollen like and de formed. Worse looking than the driver side. Over all it was pretty simple and I had been putting it off for a while.
Next on the list is up pipes, ball joints and hutch mod...... Never ending but I can only imagine how much better she will be running.
Next on the list is up pipes, ball joints and hutch mod......
Never ending but I can only imagine how much better she will be running.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From: Nashville TN
I am hoping I will. I expect to see some improvements with the uppies as well as now after doing the 50 cent I noticed soot all down the up pipes now. Just wish they were not 400 bones but I am not going to try the donut though as I think it would be a waste of time with all the labor