Cold start problem
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Freshman User
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From: SE Texas
Cold start problem
I purchased a '95 F250 4x4 PSD in January 2002. The seller had been told it needed glow plugs, so he threw in new v/c gaskets, glow plugs, and pigtails.
The truck was difficult to start anytime the temp was in the fifties or below. Cycling the glow plugs would help but I usually wound up flooding the engine.
I had been quoted $250-$350 for replacing these, so did not rush to have it done. Got by two winters by using the engine heater.
I did replace the relay last winter. I had found instructions here to test by measuring output voltage (forgive me if I'm not remembering correctly.) I only let engine cool off 4-5 hours and was only getting 4-5v from relay. Installed a new relay from IHC and checked it under similar circumstances with the same results.
Next I let truck cool off overnite and got battery voltage from relay, so I concluded that relay was working and had not been faulty.
Yesterday, my nephew replaced all of the glow plugs and pigtails for me.
I was disappointed this morning when I still had my problem.
Other than rechecking the relay, any suggestions about other causes of the problem?
Mike
The truck was difficult to start anytime the temp was in the fifties or below. Cycling the glow plugs would help but I usually wound up flooding the engine.
I had been quoted $250-$350 for replacing these, so did not rush to have it done. Got by two winters by using the engine heater.
I did replace the relay last winter. I had found instructions here to test by measuring output voltage (forgive me if I'm not remembering correctly.) I only let engine cool off 4-5 hours and was only getting 4-5v from relay. Installed a new relay from IHC and checked it under similar circumstances with the same results.
Next I let truck cool off overnite and got battery voltage from relay, so I concluded that relay was working and had not been faulty.
Yesterday, my nephew replaced all of the glow plugs and pigtails for me.
I was disappointed this morning when I still had my problem.
Other than rechecking the relay, any suggestions about other causes of the problem?
Mike
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Joined: Jan 2003
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Are your batteries in good shape? Mine took longer than I thought necessary to start and finally after replacing glow plugs and relay I found that one battery was weak and not spinning the engine fast enough to bust it off. I replaced both batteries and have had no futher problems. duece
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From: SE Texas
I really hadn't considered batteries or connections prior to researching here last night. Somehow I missed that in previous searches.
If I can borrow a load tester, I will check them myself. Otherwise, my buddy recommended the dealer where he bought his batteries. They should be willing to disconnect the batteries and load test.
My thought on this possibility is that the condition has remained constant for three winters. It does seem that battery problems would have presented or bad connections would have gotten worse.
Also, I never considered that batteries that would spin the starter, apparently full speed, would be inadequate to heat the glow plugs.
Hopefully, I can post results Friday.
Thanks,
Mike
If I can borrow a load tester, I will check them myself. Otherwise, my buddy recommended the dealer where he bought his batteries. They should be willing to disconnect the batteries and load test.
My thought on this possibility is that the condition has remained constant for three winters. It does seem that battery problems would have presented or bad connections would have gotten worse.
Also, I never considered that batteries that would spin the starter, apparently full speed, would be inadequate to heat the glow plugs.
Hopefully, I can post results Friday.
Thanks,
Mike
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Baileyton, TN
The powerstroke can be spun by the starter, and not have enough power from the battery to fire. It is very annoying, because it is the usual way folk notice they need new batteries. 
I say this from experience....
Theo
I say this from experience....
Theo
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From: SE Texas
Had the batteries tested this afternoon. The passenger side battery dropped below 7 volts under load.
Will replace both as soon as I decide which battery I want.
Read here that Die Hard Gold was well thought of. When I called Sears I was told the stoutest was 700cca. That is probably adequate but it has 850cca Exides now.
I found Motorcrafts at 875cca. Will probably go that way.
Mike
Will replace both as soon as I decide which battery I want.
Read here that Die Hard Gold was well thought of. When I called Sears I was told the stoutest was 700cca. That is probably adequate but it has 850cca Exides now.
I found Motorcrafts at 875cca. Will probably go that way.
Mike
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where did you find motorcraft battterys at,,, how much they want for battery,,make sure the battery warrenty for 5yrs or longer,,
I buy my battery at store that sell batterys for business,, anything from small to the biggest appplication,, 875cca is areally good size battery,, that why diesel need two battery to start..
I buy my battery at store that sell batterys for business,, anything from small to the biggest appplication,, 875cca is areally good size battery,, that why diesel need two battery to start..
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From: SE Texas
I found the Motorcraft at a local parts store for $68. That may not be street price. I spent over 20 years in the parts business in this town and still benefit occasionally.
I didn't specifically ask about warranty but I will.
He only had one in stock and was going to have to order.
I went to a battery dealer to have mine tested, a big shop with big stalls to accommodate 18 wheelers.
The batteries I was going to buy were Continentals but didn't have the ratings on the battery. While the technician went to get the owner to find out about the specs, I noticed the 800# on the battery and called Continental. I was told the batteries were 700cca. When the owner returned he told me they were 850cca and even called his distributor to back up his story. I just didn't like the tactics. That's why I'm still shopping.
Mike
I didn't specifically ask about warranty but I will.
He only had one in stock and was going to have to order.
I went to a battery dealer to have mine tested, a big shop with big stalls to accommodate 18 wheelers.
The batteries I was going to buy were Continentals but didn't have the ratings on the battery. While the technician went to get the owner to find out about the specs, I noticed the 800# on the battery and called Continental. I was told the batteries were 700cca. When the owner returned he told me they were 850cca and even called his distributor to back up his story. I just didn't like the tactics. That's why I'm still shopping.
Mike
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I am very interested to find out if the batterys fix your problem. It sounds just like the problem I am having. I replaced the glow plugs last winter and still had the problem starting but not as bad. I replaced the relay on Monday and it took 5 minutes to get the truck started this morning. come to think of it the guy cleaned the batteys when he replaced the glow plugs. Maybe that is the problem.
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From: SE Texas
I'm sure I'll have the batteries replaced within a few days.
However, here near Houston, the weatherman isn't forecasting any cool fronts for the foreseeable future. Temps are running upper 60's - mid 80's for the next week or so. Will have to drop to 50-55 before I can tell anything.
I will certainly post results here so check back.
Mike
However, here near Houston, the weatherman isn't forecasting any cool fronts for the foreseeable future. Temps are running upper 60's - mid 80's for the next week or so. Will have to drop to 50-55 before I can tell anything.
I will certainly post results here so check back.
Mike
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Mike Earls
[B]I found the Motorcraft at a local parts store for $68. That may not be street price. I spent over 20 years in the parts business in this town and still benefit occasionally.
I didn't specifically ask about warranty but I will.
He only had one in stock and was going to have to order.
I went to a battery dealer to have mine tested, a big shop with big stalls to accommodate 18 wheelers.
The batteries I was going to buy were Continentals but didn't have the ratings on the battery. While the technician went to get the owner to find out about the specs, I noticed the 800# on the battery and called Continental. I was told the batteries were 700cca. When the owner returned he told me they were 850cca and even called his distributor to back up his story. I just didn't like the tactics. That's why I'm still ,
I bought my almost 2yrs ago at pacific power batteries at $63 each,,
here is the website www.pacificpowerbatteries.com
I live up in wa state ,I got 3 local ppb battery dealer,,,I;m not sure if they are national wide,,
by the way did have your glow plg controller test,,may be that might be a problem,,,,do you got any fuel leaks,,it might suck up air..
good luck I hope solve your problem..
[B]I found the Motorcraft at a local parts store for $68. That may not be street price. I spent over 20 years in the parts business in this town and still benefit occasionally.
I didn't specifically ask about warranty but I will.
He only had one in stock and was going to have to order.
I went to a battery dealer to have mine tested, a big shop with big stalls to accommodate 18 wheelers.
The batteries I was going to buy were Continentals but didn't have the ratings on the battery. While the technician went to get the owner to find out about the specs, I noticed the 800# on the battery and called Continental. I was told the batteries were 700cca. When the owner returned he told me they were 850cca and even called his distributor to back up his story. I just didn't like the tactics. That's why I'm still ,
I bought my almost 2yrs ago at pacific power batteries at $63 each,,
here is the website www.pacificpowerbatteries.com
I live up in wa state ,I got 3 local ppb battery dealer,,,I;m not sure if they are national wide,,
by the way did have your glow plg controller test,,may be that might be a problem,,,,do you got any fuel leaks,,it might suck up air..
good luck I hope solve your problem..
Last edited by FORD DIESEL; Oct 31, 2003 at 02:24 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: SE Texas
Sorry it took so long for an update but Mother Nature wasn't cooperating.
We just had the closest thing to a cool front that we've had for awhile. (one cool day before it warms up again)
It was 50 deg this morning and the truck started fine with the new batteries.
So, before spending money for glowplugs and relays, it might be prudent to have the batteries load tested individually.
Mike
We just had the closest thing to a cool front that we've had for awhile. (one cool day before it warms up again)
It was 50 deg this morning and the truck started fine with the new batteries.
So, before spending money for glowplugs and relays, it might be prudent to have the batteries load tested individually.
Mike
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Joined: Dec 2002
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yes I just heard today mother nature have not been to nice back east there,,
where did you buy your battery at. you got a good point about battery load down test,,
but one thing its always good to test the glow plug or relay first
98% thats going to be the problem specail if you own ford IDI diesel engine,
newer ford trucks are going be the cam senor going out,, it always a good idea to have a load test on the battery every couple yrs,, that a good advice a battery guy -told me,,
he also told me to charge your battery at least twice a year- on the battery charging.
where did you buy your battery at. you got a good point about battery load down test,,
but one thing its always good to test the glow plug or relay first
98% thats going to be the problem specail if you own ford IDI diesel engine,
newer ford trucks are going be the cam senor going out,, it always a good idea to have a load test on the battery every couple yrs,, that a good advice a battery guy -told me,,
he also told me to charge your battery at least twice a year- on the battery charging.
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I have a 2000 F350 and have just started experiencing cold weather starting problems. The problems started at pretty severe temps below 30F and even down in the teens. Now, I have had some difficulties even up around 40F. I have seen several articles about testing the plugs and relay and will do that soon. From what I have seen, the relay was a big problem on the older PSD. Is is still likely to be the culprit on my newer one? Also, I noticed that there appears to be 2 relays next to the fuel filter bowl. Which one is the glow plug relay?