Block Heater
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: BoCoMo
instead of 'pull', I think that you meant 'plug'. No need to have it plugged in all night. Two hours before you need the truck will work fine. Have your truck hooked up to a heavy duty timer to come on about two hours before you need it. Will it 'hurt' it. Don't think so, just use a lot of electricity.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Paw Paw
Shorten the life of the block heater meaning the element right?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: BoCoMo
The big thing about Diesels and winter starting ..... is your glow plugs..... which means you want to make sure that you Glow Plug Relay (GPR) is working correctly. Any questions on that?
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From: Paw Paw
I have done a few cold starts but the most significant one was last week. I tried to start it about 12 times before I got it to start....
Where can I find that relay? I'm sure that's cheaper than getting the plugs.
Where can I find that relay? I'm sure that's cheaper than getting the plugs.
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 841
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From: Monroe, MI
GPR is a about $45 for OEM from dieselorings and Motorcraft glow plugs are $10.88 a piece (you need 8) from dieselorings
if you have a good GPR but your glow plugs are shot then it still wont work properly. but you can have good plugs and bad GPR as well
if you have a good GPR but your glow plugs are shot then it still wont work properly. but you can have good plugs and bad GPR as well
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: BoCoMo
You should see the following reading if the GPR is working.
1) when plugged in you should see 12.5v
2) when you turn the key to on and the wait to start light comes on it should read 11.5v. glow plug relay is 'on'.... if the voltage does not 'drop' then you may have a problem with the relay.
3) when the 'wait to start' light goes out (and you had the voltage drop to 11.5v) if it is really cold then cycle the glow plugs again to get the chamber really hot. Now turn the key to start the truck. your voltage meter will drop to about 11v. If the meter drops below 10.5 the truck Will Not Start as you need at least 10.5v for it to start.
4) when the truck starts, the voltage should be 12.5v. When the GPR shuts off the voltage will slowly rise to 14.5v. this last number of the voltage is the output of the alternator.
5) Do you have any questions?
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From: Paw Paw
Get yourself a plug in volt meter that plugs into the dash power port. I bought this from Wally world..
You should see the following reading if the GPR is working.
1) when plugged in you should see 12.5v
2) when you turn the key to on and the wait to start light comes on it should read 11.5v. glow plug relay is 'on'.... if the voltage does not 'drop' then you may have a problem with the relay.
3) when the 'wait to start' light goes out (and you had the voltage drop to 11.5v) if it is really cold then cycle the glow plugs again to get the chamber really hot. Now turn the key to start the truck. your voltage meter will drop to about 11v. If the meter drops below 10.5 the truck Will Not Start as you need at least 10.5v for it to start.
4) when the truck starts, the voltage should be 12.5v. When the GPR shuts off the voltage will slowly rise to 14.5v. this last number of the voltage is the output of the alternator.
5) Do you have any questions?
You should see the following reading if the GPR is working.
1) when plugged in you should see 12.5v
2) when you turn the key to on and the wait to start light comes on it should read 11.5v. glow plug relay is 'on'.... if the voltage does not 'drop' then you may have a problem with the relay.
3) when the 'wait to start' light goes out (and you had the voltage drop to 11.5v) if it is really cold then cycle the glow plugs again to get the chamber really hot. Now turn the key to start the truck. your voltage meter will drop to about 11v. If the meter drops below 10.5 the truck Will Not Start as you need at least 10.5v for it to start.
4) when the truck starts, the voltage should be 12.5v. When the GPR shuts off the voltage will slowly rise to 14.5v. this last number of the voltage is the output of the alternator.
5) Do you have any questions?
Great info! I'll look into it
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From: Paw Paw
I hardly use that sucker. It's hard enough keeping one phone charged let alone 2.... Haha
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Millstone, NJ
This is what it looks like when you try to start your truck in winter temps with a bad GPR. This was my previous 7.3 with a bad Glow Plug Relay. White smoke is a good hint that your glow plugs are not working, in this case, my GPR wasn't working so neither were the glow plugs. I changed the relay, and fired first time every morning. And do yourself a favor and do the GPR LED as well so you can tell when your GPR is working. Link to GPR LED mod:https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...wmriceman.html