It really isn't just semantics; there's a substantial difference. A control module would be mounted in the valley in place of the relay, and will monitor and report trouble codes. A relay is a dumb device, if it fails or glow plugs fail it doesn't report anything.

 

Yes I believe it is WD-40, figured that out after the already using the ether.

Yeah I fully understand the risk of using the ether. I really didn't want to use it, but it was my Dad's idea, and we only used it very small and quick sprays, never holding down and spraying for long periods of time. I had to get it started to drive it to the shop, because we didn't have any other way of getting it there. And that was the only place that had the space and tools, for my Dad's mechanic and my Uncle to work on it. And we really couldn't start it any other way, we even had it plugged in and battery charger on it at times, and it still wouldn't start. I know it probably doesn't make it sound any better, because it really doesn't, just explaining my situation and why we did what we did.

Anyways, sorry for leaving you guys hanging for so long but, I did get it figured out and fixed I think. What ended up happening was that for some reason the GPR went bad again. I'm not really sure why though. What we're thinking is that it was just a bad part form the beginning. We tested it and it was not sending power to the glow plugs (I think). So we put a new GPR on it and its been fine since then. The only thing that I could of think of that took it out again, was the week or so of cranking and trying to start it, before we put the new glow plugs and batteries in. But I don't think so, and am not sure that that could cause the GPR to go bad anyways?

Its started up every time so far, whether plugged in or not, so I'm pretty sure it was just a bad part. Its starts pretty good plugged in, but not real good when not plugged in. It starts, but not sure if its normal or not. It has been pretty cold the past few days, in the single digits and close to zero, if not below zero at night. Here's a video of it the first time I had tried to start it at home without being plugged in. The truck had been sitting for about 18 hours and it was single digits, near 0, most of the time, like I said not plugged in. It was about 10* at the time I started it. Is this about normal, considering the temperature and how long it sat, or not? I'm not sure, all I know is that its a lot better than before, lol. And that I probably should have let the glow plugs heat up longer than what I did, but I didn't realize that, until I watched the video back. So that might have made it a little worse.


They also fixed the leaking oil cooler, and changed the oil too. Not sure what they put back in exactly, wish I could of picked, but they did it before I even knew about it. I asked my Dad what was put in it, and he had no clue, haha. Like I said before he's not much of a mechanic. I'll try to figure it out this week. They also replaced the vacuum pump, which I guess went bad, and fixed a few other little wear and tear things, which I guess got neglected before I got the truck. All good things done. Glad to have my truck back, and actually be able to drive it.

Thanks a lot to everyone that posted and tried to help me fix my problem. Your guys are awesome and very helpful and knowledgeable!

 

ahhhhh, much better than before. You are back on the road and it sounds like a pretty good start considering the temps around zero & not being plugged in. Like you picked up on - let the glow plugs continue to warm the chamber up a bit more and that should help out as well.

That loud wine you hear in the video is your power steering pump, if you get the time put some synthetic fluid in there and that will lower the noisy wine down considerably.

Glad it all worked out for you.........

Edit: took about 7 seconds to start, I'm guessing 15W-40 oil. That's about what my F-250 would do running 15W40 in the winter and not plugged in.

 

Hey thanks Rich, you were very helpful with all this. I definitely am glad to be able to drive my truck again, and not worry if its going to start or not.

Yeah I was going to ask, I was wondering what that whining noise was. We did just put some ATF fluid in it, but it was not synthetic, so I'll have to get some synthetic fluid and put it in there. Thanks for the tip. And I'll have my Dad ask about the oil tomorrow. But like you said, it sounds like its probably 15W-40

 

Glad you got your truck running again. This winter has definitely hit most of us in one way or another.

Did you end up putting a OEM or Napa GPR back in it? They are not known to last that long, especially in states that get cold weather. Mine only lasted almost a year on my previous 7.3 and replaced it with a Stancor GPR. No problems with that relay at all. Also put the Stancor GPR on my current 7.3 as well. You might as well do the GPR LED mod as well. It will tell you if your GPR is working or not and how long the GPR is actually on for. Do some reading on the links I've provided. Some good info.

Stancor GPR: Welcome to guzzle's Stancor GPR replacement Mod Web Page

GPR LED: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1045433-gpr-led.html

 

Glad you got it fixed! and thanks for letting us know what you found out

 

Thanks for checking back with us!

Yea... having a new part fail can sure kill time, because it's natural to ignore the new part and move on to the next component.

Mercon V is what they recommend for the power steering pump.

 

Thanks Kyle, and thanks for the links. I think they put a NAPA one back on. If/when it goes out again, I'll make sure the Stancor unit gets put on. I read both the links, definitely a lot of good info. I think I'll probably do the GPR LED eventually too.

Yup no problem, and yeah me too. And thank you for all of your help.

No problem, wanted to let you know I got it all figured out, thanks to you guys. Yeah it sucked to have the new part go bad, really makes for a harder time of trouble shooting, but it definitely was a lot better than having the problem be that the injectors were bad. And yeah with the NAPA parts, my Dad's mechanic is their company mechanic for my Grandpa's construction company, and I know they use a lot of NAPA parts. Probably because they are closer and a lot cheaper than buying directly from Ford. But lately I think they've been having some problems with their parts. I know that when I was there and he was working on my truck, he was also working on one of their older 7.3 IDI trucks. He put a new fuel pump on it from NAPA, and it didn't work. He took it off and put back on a couple times, thinking he didn't get it on right, and then eventually ended up testing it, and it was just a defective part. Really sucks to have faulty new parts because then it makes him second guess himself and have to redo a lot of work, wasting a lot of time. Not bashing NAPA at all, just sharing my experience.

Thanks for the help Tugly, and thanks for the recommendation on the Mercon V, I'll have to try it.

 

I have read this thread all the way through and am having similar problems during cold (30 degrees) start ups when not plugged in, except after waiting for the WTS light to go out, when I turn the key it is like it throws the batteries out or I loose connection and after letting off the key you hear the starter disengage. then when I try it again it will start. If I keep it plugged in it will start. I have replaced a lot of parts and cant really afford to replace much more. Can someone help me? I have replaced Starter, Glow Plugs and harness gasket, both batteries and the alternator. Thanks for any help.

 

Sorry a little late on this, but with all that you've replaced with still not resolving the issue, I would say check all of your wires involved with GP system and going to and from the batteries to the starter, to the GPR, etc. and go from there. Have you replaced the Glow Plug Relay?

Is your oil fresh, is all of your maintenance up to date?

Other than that I would suspect an oil pressure or fuel pressure issue, or maybe something else. Maybe you have an injector going out? But before you go replacing anything, I would start your own thread on your issue, with more info. You would probably have better luck with that, and get more responses. Good luck, I hope you get it all figured out.