My 97 Ford F350 powerstroke diesel truck runs great but I can barely get it started in cold weather?
Recently had IRP,CPS & Glowplugs replaced.

 

You might want to have your battery(s) tested, one may be a little weak.

 

The powerstroke will have difficulty starting in cold weather with any or all of the following...

Weak batteries.
Blown Glow plug relay
Blown glow plugs.

I have that problem with the '96, still unrectified - the '02 took all the spare money this month, but now works well.....

Theo

 

David:

As I'm sure you already realize this, but a simple "load test" on the battery will reveal whether it is bad (weak). Any shop would have the instrument.

 

Are you having a problem with it turning over or cranking a long time before it starts? If its cranking but not starting the high pressure pump may be loosing its prime.

 

Theo since you live in the area you know it got cold here last night and my 96' wouldn't fire off this morning. I didn't plug it in because it wasn't suppose to get cold. Usually it would turn over and all the white vapors of raw deisel would come boiling out. After waiting, re cycling the glow plugs a couple of times, it would fire off. This time, no white vapors. I plugged it up this afternoon and it still wouldn't fire. I think the relay went bad again. The truck ran fine yesterday but the lack of raw deisel concerns me. I'm due for new glow plug, I think. Any thoughts?

 

Dave,

Your list of recently replaced parts did not include the glow plug relay... is that true?

Easy enough to check, when you do your next cold start, turn the key on, then manually jump the two large terminals on the g/p relay for about thirty seconds and then (have someone) turn the key to start. Some gutsy people use big pliers, but I have SAFELY used a set of jumper cables (actually only half the "set") When it fires up, you can pull off the jumper cable.

All the cable is doing is letting the current flow through the cable to the plugs...same thing the relay is suppose to do!

Help that helps!

God Bless,

TC

 

sic10844 how do you check to see if the high pressure pump is loosing it's prime? Just curious.

 

The pump and reservoir is mounted on the top front of the engine. There is usually a plastic cover over it. Use a 1/4 inch ratchet or breaker bar and remove the plug on top. You should be able to see oil in the tank. If its low, fill with what ever you use in the crankcase, install the plug, and try to start.

 

On my 97, I believe the plug on top of the HPOP reservoir takes a 3/16" allen wrench. Looking in, the oil should be within an inch of the top, usually a little higher.

TC

 

Thanks boys. I'll let you know on the out come. Got to smoke a turkey right now. Happy Thanksgiving.