I have six new and two dead glow plugs - my 'wait' light isn't coming on - and I don't think the plugs are working (got cold here suddenly and real hard to start).
So thoughts?
Please keep answers geared towards simple words as I'm still learning the ways and lingo

 

if your truck is a '87- 94 idi truck then the light should flicker briefly letting you know a couple gp's are burned out.you'll want to replace all 8 plugs with motorcraft and then the system if in good shape should glow the plugs 10-15 seconds,then the wait to start light should go out.
during the glow time,press the accelerator to the floor and let off.this sets the high idle.when the light turns off,start the truck.the gp's should glow off/on a few times (called afterglow.indicated by a swinging volt gauge/dimming lights) to help smooth the idle.

if your truck is a 83-86 then you just wasted my time and im gunna slap ya! just kidding.that controller was failure prone.in that case,test the plugs,replace with motorcraft if needed and bypass the controller,and use a push button on the relay to glow your plugs manually.
for this i would (well i would upgrade to the '87+ system myself) manually glow for 10-15 seconds (up to 15 seconds when below 0F)
while glowing,press the accelerator to the floor and let up to set high idle.
after 10-15 secs,start the truck.
once running,manually glow again to simulate afterglow as follows: for 2 seconds off,2 seconds on,2 off,2 on,2 off,2 on.then it should remain running without stalling.less afterglow when warmer.

 

Thanks - yeah, sorry about that ... it is a '93, 7.3, non turbo.
Trying to get it to start yesterday I found the "wait' light did flick on for about a second 60% of the time.
She spins fine but won't turn over.
Ran down the battery - put it on charger in the evening.
This morning I opened the drain on the bottom of the fuel filter for a little bit, just to make sure no water had condensed in it (as the temperature rose over night - warm enough that it should start).
Then I tried her again... spins with good power, no sign of turning over BUT...
NOW the 'wait' light stays on as long as the key is turned - but it is flashing very fast and making a very loud (louder than usual) hollow metal clicking sound by the fuel injector area- not quite the usual clicking sound following the glow plugs warm up.
I did nothing to cause this change.
Could having 'dirty' female glow plug tops cause this?
I am departing on a trip in a few days, away for a couple weeks, and can't leave my wife without transport (we live in the country- middle of nowhere)
GAH! Why does it always happen at the worst possible time?

 

The fast clicking is caused by the controller not seeing enough resistance in the system. You have more dead or disconnected glows than you think you do.

 

Oh - great ... Thanks. Guess I'll pull them and check

 

the first time (within the hour without the truck being started/without the block heater) is the only time you can count towards your 60% of the time estimate.
the other times right after you have glowed no longer represent whats going on because some cylinders are now warmed up and the controller senses they're warm and wont glow as long.if you wait another hour then you should get the same exact results you did when you glowed the first time (the only time that counts to help you learn whats going on.)


ideally,you'll run through these tests and replace all 8 gp's with motorcraft brand only if gp's are needed:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12967785


murphy's law lol.

does the block heater work? if you don't have enough time to fix the gp system,then just have the wife plug the truck in a couple hours before she needs to leave and have her make sure to start the truck every hour for 5 mins idle time each if she can't park near an outlet and the truck will always start without her getting stranded.
you can also let her know that she can remove the air cleaner duct and run a hair dryer down into the air cleaner assembly (or directly into the intake) for a few mins and the truck will start that way as well.even if you fix the gp system,if she ever needs to do this she knows it will work,she can get herself out of a pitch quickly (if by an outlet at least) if need be.
also you and her should know (she wont like this one,but beats being stranded) she can dip a rag in gasoline (and ring it out) and drape the rag over the intake and the engine should fire off the gas fumes.
last but not least (and make sure you show her how much!) just a couple squirts of starting fluid into the intake will get the truck running.just insure she knows not to spray and try starting the truck until at least 2 mins have past that the gp light flickered.
so turn key to run - wait for the light to go out -leave the key in the run/forward position- wait 2 mins - spray starting fluid,two brief squirts - start the truck.
parking on a hill if a manual trans when she is out,to pop start rather than use batteries at first at least,wouldn't hurt either.
might even print this post.the info could save her hide down in the middle of nowhere if she needed to get somewhere in an emergency where neighbors wont be around.
also make sure she knows your account info so she can log in so we can help her if needed.
the more options and more she knows,gives her greater chances of success.

 

What he said x2 the blow dryer start method might work may need 10 mins or more to heat the intake enough. the block heater is in the engine for this purpose... good luck.