Coldest you've started without plugging in?
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
Got the same plug for mine, love it. Keeps moisture off the plug and cleans up the front end. I hated the cord just hanging out of the grill.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
I installed mine when I did the new cord, figured it was a good time to do both before the winter comes knocking
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
Naw... we don't get Alaska/Minnesota/Dakota winters here, but we get those bone chillers where the mercury doesn't defrost for many days in a row (high temps well below freezing) - and the 11 HP snow blower gets a workout on the driveway several times per season. This is completely contrary to the mild Seattle winters where it snows the snotty stuff once or twice per winter, and all their vehicles fall off the gajillion bridges.
One relay warms the glow plugs no better than the other - but some relays last longer than others. If you see an improvement in GP performance, it would be because the old relay was failing in some way.
One relay warms the glow plugs no better than the other - but some relays last longer than others. If you see an improvement in GP performance, it would be because the old relay was failing in some way.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 14,069
Likes: 17
From: Melbourne, Ky
Naw... we don't get Alaska/Minnesota/Dakota winters here, but we get those bone chillers where the mercury doesn't defrost for many days in a row (high temps well below freezing) - and the 11 HP snow blower gets a workout on the driveway several times per season. This is completely contrary to the mild Seattle winters where it snows the snotty stuff once or twice per winter, and all their vehicles fall off the gajillion bridges.
One relay warms the glow plugs no better than the other - but some relays last longer than others. If you see an improvement in GP performance, it would be because the old relay was failing in some way.
One relay warms the glow plugs no better than the other - but some relays last longer than others. If you see an improvement in GP performance, it would be because the old relay was failing in some way.
Junior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
The ambient temp this time was 8, no idea what the wind chill was but it was cold. I would plug in if I was able to but my apartment/landlord want to charge me extra because I don't have an exterior outlet so I would be using the one in their garage. I should figure out how much it costs and pay them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
Mine started several times over the years in the -20/ -25 range. I've plugged the heater in one time & that was after doing the oil cooler o-rings when it was about 75 just to make sure it still worked after taking it out to do the oil cooler lol
like has been said she raises a little h-ll & shows a little smoke but hadn't let me down yet. I did have Marty put new glow plugs in when he did my injectors about a year & 1/2 ago but all the origs still check out good & I have them for back ups
Syn oil does make a big difference when it comes to the bucking & carrying on
like has been said she raises a little h-ll & shows a little smoke but hadn't let me down yet. I did have Marty put new glow plugs in when he did my injectors about a year & 1/2 ago but all the origs still check out good & I have them for back ups
Syn oil does make a big difference when it comes to the bucking & carrying on
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
I do the same thing. Whenever I don't I always come home to............how did that extension cord get way down here 
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa
A month or so back when I got the truck, it didn't want to start at 30°. It had a bad GPR.
Today it was 0° with -18° wind chill and I had forgotten to plug in my truck. Turned the key on, WTS light went out, then she fired right up. A little slower at turning over, and a little smokey at first. It turned over faster then my GF's Toyota 4Runner.
Edit 12/19/16: -2° this morning when my GF's and my sons gasoline cars wouldn't start. This time I didn't plug it in intentionally.
Today it was 0° with -18° wind chill and I had forgotten to plug in my truck. Turned the key on, WTS light went out, then she fired right up. A little slower at turning over, and a little smokey at first. It turned over faster then my GF's Toyota 4Runner.
Edit 12/19/16: -2° this morning when my GF's and my sons gasoline cars wouldn't start. This time I didn't plug it in intentionally.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 710
Likes: 2
yep, ambient is all that affects the truck. Mine started at -15 this morning, pretty impressed. Amazing what new plugs and relay will do. I've got it plugged in now just because it was still COLD in the cab even after running for 20 min.
Papa Smurf
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 204
From: Woodstock, GA
Always leave my plug hanging out the bumper in winter.... and more than once a month someone will ask.... " What's that electric cord for ? " I'll normally walk off with just saying... " Diesel have electric starters " without telling....well...everything.... " 
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
We routinely start our trucks in -0f weather. -15f to -25f is not uncommon. Never plugged in. I don't even remember the last time we plugged a truck in.
It is a blistering 15f out right now, I am about to head out and fire up the 7.3 now to go work.
It is a blistering 15f out right now, I am about to head out and fire up the 7.3 now to go work.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Crook county, Illinois
I'm afraid to plug mine in(haha). Never been plugged in, it's a '99. Truck has been sitting a lot since I retired 2yrs. ago, she fired up this morning after -14 last night. Definetly didn't like it.