E-450 Ambulance
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E-450 Ambulance
Hello everyone. First time poster here, but I've been searching the site for a few weeks and found some useful information. I just purchased a 1997 E-450 Ambulance to repurpose and I'm running into a few issues. I'm not super mechanical but can get by, but this is a while new ball game to me. First question being, do most ambulances have the headlights on ALL the time? The headlight switch only alternates between headlights and upper box lights, I can't find a way to shut them off without using the kill switch. Just wasn't sure if this was normal or something that could be fixed? Also, it doesn't like to start in the cold so I was looking at the engine block heater and it looks like it's hooked to a toggle switch attached to the inner grill. I followed the plug cord the best I could and this looks like where it ends up, again is this normal? It seems like the kill switch would have to be turned off and power run to the toggle, but that would drain the battery due to the lights being on. I'm just guessing on most of this, so any help I could get would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
7.3 Powerstroke Diesel Ambulance
7.3 Powerstroke Diesel Ambulance
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,102
Likes: 153
From: Kansas City KS
I use my block heater if its really cold! If its 20 or above you shouldn't need it.
You probably need to check your glow plug system. First check is the glow plug relay. It looks like a starter relay and its close to the fuel bowl. With the motor cover removed...on a cold morning with motor cold. Cross the two large contacts w a screwdriver on the relay for 15 seconds. Immediately crank the motor more than likely it will start alot easier. If that helped replace the relay. The Stancor gpr is an upgrade over the oem. Dont buy one from the corner store. Most of them suck and wont last the season.
If the relay doesn't cure your problem. You can ohm the glow plugs from the valve cover pigtail. You cannot ohm the glow plugs from the 42 pin connector. Glow plugs aren't too difficult to replace. Use only motorcraft glow plugs.
You probably need to check your glow plug system. First check is the glow plug relay. It looks like a starter relay and its close to the fuel bowl. With the motor cover removed...on a cold morning with motor cold. Cross the two large contacts w a screwdriver on the relay for 15 seconds. Immediately crank the motor more than likely it will start alot easier. If that helped replace the relay. The Stancor gpr is an upgrade over the oem. Dont buy one from the corner store. Most of them suck and wont last the season.
If the relay doesn't cure your problem. You can ohm the glow plugs from the valve cover pigtail. You cannot ohm the glow plugs from the 42 pin connector. Glow plugs aren't too difficult to replace. Use only motorcraft glow plugs.
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BlueDiamond
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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Jan 8, 2009 03:09 PM
