Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Very hard start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 20, 2020 | 10:24 PM
  #1  
bj1663's Avatar
bj1663
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Very hard start

Hi all,
I have a 97 F250 7.3 Powerstroke. For the past few months the truck has been a little bit hard to start, but after letting the GP's warm up for a minute or two it would start. Because of this I replaced my glowplugs, glowplug relay, and injector o-rings, also bought new batteries, all of this was purchased in October 2019. The last week or so, the weather has been highs in the mid 40's, lows in the mid to low 20's. The truck has been VERY hard to start in the cold weather, it will take anywhere from 20-40 minutes of letting the glowplugs heat up by resetting them every 2 minutes (taking the key out then putting it back in run position)
This past weekend I replaced the the starter, and changed the oil.
The WTS light still illuminates, I checked the fuel filter, it looked fine and had fuel in the bowl.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I have scoured these forums and can't find anything else to check.

Thanks in Advance!
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2020 | 10:32 PM
  #2  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,497
Likes: 2,020
From: North Texas
Post a vid of it cranking or at least a sound clip.

My engine is clapped, still starts in mid 20F area without plugged into the wall.

What GPs did you use? What relay?
 
Reply
Old Jan 20, 2020 | 10:49 PM
  #3  
bj1663's Avatar
bj1663
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I'll post the clip tomorrow. I used Ford GPs and a Dorman relay
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2020 | 06:46 AM
  #4  
BuddyBarnes's Avatar
BuddyBarnes
Laughing Gas
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 910
Likes: 96
From: Fl.
20-40 minutes ? Did you mean 2 to 4 min?
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2020 | 07:32 AM
  #5  
Bobcatbob's Avatar
Bobcatbob
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Sault St.Marie
1 minute of glow plugs should be plenty if they are all working. Also, next time you have the valve covers off, do a compression test.
Can you do a buzz test? The injectors may need shimming.
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2020 | 08:44 AM
  #6  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,336
From: Bahstun
Injector armature clearance if too tight will retard timing and just make lots of smoke when cold out

 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2020 | 09:58 AM
  #7  
Hit Man X's Avatar
Hit Man X
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,497
Likes: 2,020
From: North Texas
I shimmed my injectors, made a nice difference upon cold starts.

Also, Dorman does not make many good parts. I would return that relay or toss if unable to return. Install that Stancore unit.
 
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2020 | 03:50 PM
  #8  
Ben Bell's Avatar
Ben Bell
New User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by bj1663
Hi all,
I have a 97 F250 7.3 Powerstroke. For the past few months the truck has been a little bit hard to start, but after letting the GP's warm up for a minute or two it would start. Because of this I replaced my glowplugs, glowplug relay, and injector o-rings, also bought new batteries, all of this was purchased in October 2019. The last week or so, the weather has been highs in the mid 40's, lows in the mid to low 20's. The truck has been VERY hard to start in the cold weather, it will take anywhere from 20-40 minutes of letting the glowplugs heat up by resetting them every 2 minutes (taking the key out then putting it back in run position)
This past weekend I replaced the the starter, and changed the oil.
The WTS light still illuminates, I checked the fuel filter, it looked fine and had fuel in the bowl.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated, I have scoured these forums and can't find anything else to check.

Thanks in Advance!
Hard cranking check your glow plug relay it's located to the left of the fuel filter on the top of motor
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 22, 2020 | 03:56 PM
  #9  
Ben Bell's Avatar
Ben Bell
New User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hello buddy check your glow plug relay on the top left under the cover where fuel filter is
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2020 | 09:05 AM
  #10  
knottyrope's Avatar
knottyrope
Lead Driver
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Loved
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 7,180
Likes: 1,336
From: Bahstun
OP replaced the relay.

Do your volts drop to 10 when key is on? Just want to make sure the GPs are being energized.
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2020 | 12:57 PM
  #11  
97-psd's Avatar
97-psd
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,576
Likes: 837
From: knoxville, tn
^^^. Need to make sure they are being turned on. Try placing a screwdriver across the glow plug relay lugs and see if it starts better. The Dorman GPR make be defective. Stanford is the proven relay
 
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2020 | 04:08 PM
  #12  
Ben Bell's Avatar
Ben Bell
New User
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by knottyrope
OP replaced the relay.

Do your volts drop to 10 when key is on? Just want to make sure the GPs are being energized.
Yes voltage drop to 10 an I found out that it was a fuse blown but I changed the camshaft sensor it was the black one and it still don't start should I pick the grey one back in
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jetskiman6969
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Feb 3, 2021 08:42 AM
Blu3
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
13
Jan 10, 2013 07:30 PM
jc2
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Nov 12, 2007 06:29 AM
fireman0175
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Oct 12, 2006 12:24 AM
jboard
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Apr 24, 2006 08:53 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:27 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE