Cold start issue
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Cold start issue
Since the cold weather hit I've had issues with my 7.3 (150k miles ) starting. In temperatures below 34 the truck would basically not start unless plugged in or I tried to start it numerous times. It would smoke a lot for a minute or 2 and then would be fine. About 2 weeks ago I replaced all the glow plugs and the truck starts much better. It doesn't smoke anymore after starting but it still is difficult to start. Today it was 45 degrees and it will turn over, start to run but will die unless I keep my foot on the gas for about 5 seconds then it runs fine (will start with temps under 34). I tested my glow plug relay and with key off it measures 12 volts, with key on it measures 10 volts. I just tested all glow plugs and they measure about 1.5 ohms. Could I assume that my glow plug is going bad or should I just deal with it. I know this shouldn't happen around 45 degrees air temp. Thanks
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 498
Likes: 0
From: Hagerstown, MD
This sounds like an oil delivery problem to me. Start by checking the oil level in the HPOP reservoir before cranking. It should be less than 1" from the top.
Does it only start hard like that first thing in the morning?
Does it only start hard like that first thing in the morning?
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 765
From: SoCal/Wyoming
Oh no
you put "snake oil" in your oil
All kidding aside, oil additives for a 7.3 is never a good, or required, practices but that is JMHO. I am sure others will be along shortly to give you grief for that one. Facing up or down on the driveway at a slight angle should not make a difference. Many folks run Dino in the warmer months and switch over to synthetic when it gets cold but I live in a hot climate and run synthetic all year around.
you put "snake oil" in your oil All kidding aside, oil additives for a 7.3 is never a good, or required, practices but that is JMHO. I am sure others will be along shortly to give you grief for that one. Facing up or down on the driveway at a slight angle should not make a difference. Many folks run Dino in the warmer months and switch over to synthetic when it gets cold but I live in a hot climate and run synthetic all year around.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,399
Likes: 188
From: Norco,CA
I'd start by replacing the relay. You replaced the glow plugs so I would now do the relay. Its easy and cheap enough.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Hot Shots is a product for the stiction in the 6.0L injectors. While I've heard this does no good for the 7.3L injectors, I haven't heard of anything bad. That being said... plenty of mysterious no-starts out there.
The last link in my signature will give you some help... give it a click.
The last link in my signature will give you some help... give it a click.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,303
Likes: 575
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
With the key on and the glow plugs energized, take voltage readings at both large lugs on the GPR. There should be minimal difference between the two. If the outer lug reads 12 and the inner reads 10, it's probably time for a GPR. If the reading at both lugs drops to 10, it could indicate a bad connection somewhere before the GPR (battery terminal perhaps), or weak batteries.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
Likes: 27
From: Hampton, Maryland.
Hot Shots is a product for the stiction in the 6.0L injectors. While I've heard this does no good for the 7.3L injectors, I haven't heard of anything bad. That being said... plenty of mysterious no-starts out there.
The last link in my signature will give you some help... give it a click.
The last link in my signature will give you some help... give it a click.
I am in a strange mood today...
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 54
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Ok so using my scangauge 2 I came up with some data. Temp today is about 56 degrees, truck started fine no smoke. Volts with KOEO was 10.9-11.0 and IPR was 14.9. At idle ICP was 911-840, FIPW was 2.65-2.49 and IPR was 19.6-18.4. Variation in numbers was within about 15 seconds of trying to write everything down.