Well, we have been getting some really cold mornings this last week. A few days ago a new symptom developed. While making the first start of the day, the engine would do a stutter step. Meaning one or two cylinders would fire, one cylinder would not fire, then the rest of the cylinders would fire and she would start and run normally. Yesterday she threw a new code. A P0672 - Cylinder 2 Glow Plug Circuit.

When I did my rebuild nearly 3 years ago, I installed ALL new Ford glow plugs AND new Ford plow plug harness on both sides. So, I guess I need to check that harness and the number 2 glow plug. The Glow Plug Control Module is original. If the other components test normal then off to the land of parts for a new module. B.

 

So, this afternoon after driving for an hour and leaving her parked for just over an hour, she threw a P0671 - Cylinder 1 Glow Plug Circuit. I cleared the code, drove for another 20 minutes and parked it for five minutes. Came back out and the code came back when I re-started her. Cleared it again. Sounds like a quirky glow plug control module. Fortunately I have one on order. Still going to ohm out the plugs when I get a chance. B.

 

do you have access to IDS? The program offers a good glow plug system test.

 

I do not have IDS on my laptop. Do you know what the cost is? My other option is to take it to a Ford stealership and have them run the test.

This morning she started like normal, no stutter step. This evening after work she again started normally, no stutter step. BUT, she threw the P0671 AND P0672 glow plug codes. She runs normally and has the usual amount of power. So, something is going "wonkey" with that system. I suspect the glow plug module. But, I guess it's possible both #1 and #2 glow plugs are bad as well. Or the harness is damaged in that area effecting those plow plugs. I won't have a weekend off for ten more days. I will take a close look at everything then. Thanks, B.

 

Not necessarily true. I had the same issue with an intermittent no start. I changed the cam sensor. Worked great for 65 months. I changed the crank sensor. Worked great a few weeks. Both sensors were OEM. I then started carrying a long screwdriver with me so I could tap on the crank and cam sensor when I had this no start. That worked every time. This told me I had loose connections or bad pigtails.

The problem never caused a misfire while driving...regardless of how rough the roads were. It only caused an issue after turning the truck off, and getting back in it 30 minutes later to go somewhere else.

I changed both pigtails and haven't had a problem since.

On your injectors???? I hope you got good ones from Warren. I just replaced mine with OEM remans from a shop I could drive to and scream at someone. I thought about putting tested, good used one's in to save $1,500, but thought better of it. 8K miles on injectors before trouble absolutely sucks.

 

@@@@@ UPDATE @@@@@

Today, I did some work on the old girl. I ohmed out the glow plugs THROUGH the harness to ground at the front of the cylinder head on the passenger side. Cylinder #1 metered to 18 ohms. Cylinder #2 metered out to 11 ohms. ALL of the other glow plugs were between 1.7 and 2.2 ohms. So, I changed out the two bad glow plugs AND the glow plug control module. Cleared the codes and took her for a test drive. No more codes yet. Still not ready for emissions testing as she needs to go through a few more cold hot cold cycles.

Since I installed my "spare" ECM/PCM, I have not had any further crank/cam codes. I'm going to run on the "spare" for another month. Then re-install my "other" ECM/PCM and see if those troubles come back. I'm also going to hold onto the original glow plug control module as a spare for an eventual zombie/WW3 nuke event (LOL). And in case you were wondering, the bad glow plugs were Autolite. The two I installed today are factory Motorcraft.

Bryan, I changed the crank and cam pig tails when I did my rebuild about 10k miles ago. So I am pretty confident they are not my issue. The Warren injectors seem to be trouble free at this point. Keeping my fingers crossed. B.

 

Well, so far so good. No DTC's or check engine light. Got her smogged today so I can get my current tags. Still holding my breath. B.