Glow Plug Question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
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Glow Plug Question
My 99 F-250 that has just over 200,000 mi has been getting harder to start in cold weather (around 40 degrees), so I recently replaced the solenoid, but no change. I understand that shimming the injectors is the best solution, but it will be a while before I can get around to doing that. In the mean time, I have found if I cycle the "Wait to Start" light 5 times and then on the 6th time, I count to 5 and try starting before the light goes out and the engine starts immediately. But I have been told this could damage the engine if it fires too soon (I am assuming before TDC). So, should I not be doing this? Also, I have read somewhere that the glow plugs lighting extends for a while after the "Wait to Start" light goes out, but not sure if that is correct.
Thanks for any info!
Thanks for any info!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 2
From: SW ON, Canada
Chips2000, be aware the full glow plug warming cycle can take up to 120 seconds ... far beyond the 10 seconds or so the "Wait To Start" light shines and then goes off. If you don't have a separate voltmeter to watch (I bought one of those cheap, digital, lighter plug in ones initially), just watch your battery/volt gauge on your dash when you first cycle the glow plugs. You'll see the gauge needle move up when the glow plug cycle is completely finished ... not when the "Wait To Start" light goes off.
Click on the "Wait To Start Light" in my signature below.
You may simply have one or more pooched glow plugs (like I do). There is a procedure for testing them ... just do a search on glow plug testing. Also, you will not harm anything by starting your engine with the "Wait To Start" light on. In fact, if you've been trying to start your engine right after this light has gone off, you are likely already starting it during the glow plug heating cycle.
Click on the "Wait To Start Light" in my signature below.
You may simply have one or more pooched glow plugs (like I do). There is a procedure for testing them ... just do a search on glow plug testing. Also, you will not harm anything by starting your engine with the "Wait To Start" light on. In fact, if you've been trying to start your engine right after this light has gone off, you are likely already starting it during the glow plug heating cycle.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 661
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From: Ontario , Canada
I know on my 93.....a pooched glow plug will cut down the glow plug cycle time and make truck very hard to start in colder weather.
You can test glow plugs with a test light......https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...ic_QbXiaOwAQ53
You can test glow plugs with a test light......https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=...ic_QbXiaOwAQ53
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
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I have a combo cell charger/volt meter that stays plugged into the cig lighter, so will check it out. The engine always starts right up if I start it when the "Wait to Start" light is on.
Thanks for your answers.
Thanks for your answers.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 396
Likes: 10
From: Fort Mill SC
I was having the same problem, changed everything and it continued, for some reason the glow plugs did not come on for about one full minute, solved the problem.
I installed a small light on the dash and connected it to the output side of the relay so I would get an accurate reading of when they come on and off, it has never been consistent sometimes they come on right away others it would take almost a full minute.. I probably didn't need to spend the money or time doing the glow plugs.
The wait to start light is preprogrammed to come on and off but has no bearing if the injectors are actually coming on.
Have a friend who has been plugging his truck in for years and told him to wait a full minute and a half to allow them to heat up, he has yet to plug his truck back in since and it's been cold as hell.
I installed a small light on the dash and connected it to the output side of the relay so I would get an accurate reading of when they come on and off, it has never been consistent sometimes they come on right away others it would take almost a full minute.. I probably didn't need to spend the money or time doing the glow plugs.
The wait to start light is preprogrammed to come on and off but has no bearing if the injectors are actually coming on.
Have a friend who has been plugging his truck in for years and told him to wait a full minute and a half to allow them to heat up, he has yet to plug his truck back in since and it's been cold as hell.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 2
From: SW ON, Canada
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 396
Likes: 10
From: Fort Mill SC
Once it's warm is a different situation, I'm referring to COLD starts only.
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Laughing Gas
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
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So, I guess the bottom line for my question is that starting the engine while the glow plugs are on will not damage them as I have been told.
Thanks for all the various comments. I like the idea of installing a light to show when the glow plugs are actually on. I was under the impression that the "Wait to Start" light did that, but I guess that is not quite correct.
Thanks for all the various comments. I like the idea of installing a light to show when the glow plugs are actually on. I was under the impression that the "Wait to Start" light did that, but I guess that is not quite correct.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 396
Likes: 10
From: Fort Mill SC
Starting while they are still energizing won't hurt but it's best to wait until they are off, if you want a small light shoot me a pm with your address, I had to buy a gazillion of them to make it free shipping, so u beat the man but have way more than I'll ever use in my lifetime, but again I won!
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2003
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Starting while they are still energizing won't hurt but it's best to wait until they are off, if you want a small light shoot me a pm with your address, I had to buy a gazillion of them to make it free shipping, so u beat the man but have way more than I'll ever use in my lifetime, but again I won!
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