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I recently returned from our property in washington. The night temperture was only about 37 degrees. But every morning my 2000 F-350 7.3 crew cab 188,000 on it would not start. The first try there would be a split second where the motor would fire, but that would be it. I had to plug the engine block heater into my generator for at least an hour before it would start. I don't see how all the glow plugs could be bad at once?? any ideas?
Thanks, Mel
It has to be turning over rather fast.... weak batteries won't start a cold truck. Check out the Glow Plug Relay, just replace if you haven't before, they don't cost that much.
Same problem I had in big bear last year. Snowed overnight so temps were cold. Took about 45min to pop off. Can't complain about Kirkland batteries. Smoked like a chimney when she came alive...10/30wt oil(semi syn)
The wait to start light on the dash does not indicate glow plug cycle time. Full cycle time is 2 minutes in cold weather. My WTS is never on that long, even in the coldest weather.
From an earlier post - "That light is NOT a glow plug light... It is a "wait to start light". The light and the glow plugs work independantly of each other with the PCM using the engine oil temperature to decide both wait to start time as well as the time the glow plugs will actually be "lit"... they are usually "on" even after the engine starts for anywhere up to a total on time of 2 minutes."
the wait to start light in the dash is an idiot light. it will come on whether the glow plugs are getting power or not.
all my diesels have a 12 volt LED connected to the output of the glow plug relay. if the led comes on the glow plugs are getting power.
it sounds to me like your glow plug relay died.
if you are out in the wilderness and can not get to a store, pop the hood and swap the intake air heater relay and glow plug relay. the IAH is pretty much useless on these trucks and not needed.
once you get back to civilization get a white rodgers/stancor relay to replace the glow plug relay and do the led mod. http://www.dieselorings.com/16-009-w...lug-relay.html
Ok so as I said batteries are fine, Were home now in Ca. and it starts everyday here with no issiue. But Up north every day for two weeks It would not start without warming the block for about an hour. So I'll order the relay and install but how do I know if the problem is fixed? Do I have to wait until it gets down in the 30's and hope it will start? Can someone show me a picture of where the relay is on the truck?
Thanks
Mel
Ok so as I said batteries are fine, Were home now in Ca. and it starts everyday here with no issiue. But Up north every day for two weeks It would not start without warming the block for about an hour. So I'll order the relay and install but how do I know if the problem is fixed? Do I have to wait until it gets down in the 30's and hope it will start? Can someone show me a picture of where the relay is on the truck?
Thanks
Mel
Might want to verify your relay isn't working, before replacing the one you have. What if you are just trying to start too quickly after turning the key? Maybe give the relay a chance to time out or try cycling it twice. You can even test it where you are now. I believe the PCM switches it on and off, so if it turns on now, the chances are good it was turning on before.
That's what I have been running, The motor is turnning over NORMAL just not firing, and a lot of blue smoke (unburnt Fuel I'm assuming) Mid 30's isn't cold enough for it not to start unless there is a glow plug issiue, So fter reading all your advice I just ordered the monster GPR I'm just not clear how I'll no if the problem is fixed other then to wait for a mid thirty temp.
Thanks, Mel
RV_TECH
You have a good point about running test first, but I just went ahead and ordered a new one. But as far as starting the truck to fast are not allowing glow plugs two fully cycle, I can assure thats not the case. It's a 2000 I bought it in 2002 and I know the ins and outs of starting it. But I've never had a problem starting even at home a few times it was in the high 20's. But I'm not even close to being a diesel mechanic, so i really appreaciate all your help.
Thanks, Mel
OK, you're in CA, soooooo you have a CA truck? They are a little different and you'll need get with someone familiar with them. I do not know if you have a glow plug relay or not but you should have a glow plug control module (GPCM). As you look at your truck from the front mounted up top somewhere on the passenger's side valve cover should be a thing that looks like this.
