Too Many Cranks Before Start?
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New England
Too Many Cranks Before Start?
My 1999 7.3 seems to take a little longer then it should before starting. Today it was 45 degrees out and I gave the truck one glow plug cycle and after a solid 4-5 seconds and about 10 revolutions it started up. What should the normal amount of cranks be before it starts? I read the fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge and it has 50 psi idling. The ICP was running at 745 psi and then it would decrease the longer I ran it, the IPR during cranking went up to 45% then settled once the truck started at 20%. When I try to start it my scan tool reads that the ICP goes up to 50 then basically starts right up at 600-700 psi so I don't know if it's supposed to show a smooth build up of 100-200 and so on. The ICP itself had a little oil in it but it seems to be functioning correctly regardless I've got a new one coming. I let the truck sit for a good 10 minutes and then checked the oil reservoir and it was about an inch from the top. I recently put a new starter on that was much needed, new fuel filter as well. The truck has 172k on it so I guess it's possible that it has a leaky injector.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
Does the battery voltage dive to 11.5v during key on waiting for glow plugs? Give em a touch longer to get hot say 20 seconds.
It sounds like a high pressure oil system issue tho. Once it lites IPR duty should be in the 10 to teens @ idle
Have you tried starting it with the ICP unplugged?
What oil type are you using? 15w45 can make cold starts grumpy if everything isnt into shape compared to the same in summer or even a 10w40 or 5w40 in winter
It sounds like a high pressure oil system issue tho. Once it lites IPR duty should be in the 10 to teens @ idle
Have you tried starting it with the ICP unplugged?
What oil type are you using? 15w45 can make cold starts grumpy if everything isnt into shape compared to the same in summer or even a 10w40 or 5w40 in winter
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,415
From: Oologah, OK
I have changed to 5w40 full synthetic, and the starts are much quicker than with T4 15w40 regular oil,
below 50* the T4 did not want to start easily, I had to plug in the block heater and let the glow plugs run for about 2 minutes, I watch the DVM in the power port, when it starts to recover from 11.3ish up about 2/10ths,
I hit the starter and it would go.
now, with 5w40 full synthetic, it will start in 20*F Wx w/o the block heater, but I do keep a Battery Tender on it, so the batteries start at about 13.0-13.3ish and drop to 11.3ish
once it starts, it idles normal at cold temps with 5w40 full synthetic...
so far, the ICP and IPR are performing as they should, I monitor them with the Edge CTS-3
below 50* the T4 did not want to start easily, I had to plug in the block heater and let the glow plugs run for about 2 minutes, I watch the DVM in the power port, when it starts to recover from 11.3ish up about 2/10ths,
I hit the starter and it would go.
now, with 5w40 full synthetic, it will start in 20*F Wx w/o the block heater, but I do keep a Battery Tender on it, so the batteries start at about 13.0-13.3ish and drop to 11.3ish
once it starts, it idles normal at cold temps with 5w40 full synthetic...
so far, the ICP and IPR are performing as they should, I monitor them with the Edge CTS-3
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 908
Likes: 290
From: E TN
Are you monitoring the glow plug solenoid to see that you are cycling the glow plugs? Have you ohm'd the glow plugs at the valve cover connector to see if you have all of the glow plugs working/connected?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
My 1999 7.3 seems to take a little longer then it should before starting. Today it was 45 degrees out and I gave the truck one glow plug cycle and after a solid 4-5 seconds and about 10 revolutions it started up. What should the normal amount of cranks be before it starts? I read the fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge and it has 50 psi idling. The ICP was running at 745 psi and then it would decrease the longer I ran it, the IPR during cranking went up to 45% then settled once the truck started at 20%. When I try to start it my scan tool reads that the ICP goes up to 50 then basically starts right up at 600-700 psi so I don't know if it's supposed to show a smooth build up of 100-200 and so on. The ICP itself had a little oil in it but it seems to be functioning correctly regardless I've got a new one coming. I let the truck sit for a good 10 minutes and then checked the oil reservoir and it was about an inch from the top. I recently put a new starter on that was much needed, new fuel filter as well. The truck has 172k on it so I guess it's possible that it has a leaky injector.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,415
From: Oologah, OK
What are you calling a glow plug cycle? The duration the light stays on? The glow plugs remain on after the light goes out for up to 2 full minuets depending on ambient temps. Might try giving it another 10 seconds for the plugs to get up to temp and the heat to soak in. "Your fuel pressure is a little on the low side. It's in spec but about 10# lower than what I consider normal. Could be something could be nothing, but worth keeping in mind. The ICP behavior sounds off. If you're cranking then it should show the pressure build somewhat at least. If it's suddenly jumping from 50 to 600 then pops off then I'd guess there's your problem. The PCM won't fire any injectors until it sees 500 psi from the ICP.
is why I watch the Power Port voltage....
after the WTS light goes off, the glow plugs are still ON,
the PCM will turn them off when it thinks the temps are appropriate.
while the glow plugs are ON,
the battery volts will be in the area of 11.3ish
Using a Digital Volt Meter in the Power Port, will allow you to note when the PCM turns the glow plugs OFF.
the batteries start to recover and the voltage starts increasing from 11.3 to 11.5 real quick, then it starts getting higher.
I let it go 0.2 volts to 0.3 volts higher than the Lowest voltage noted...
then hit the starter.....
that has always resulted in easy starts for me.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Trailering
Joined: Sep 2023
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New England
Thanks for the replies, I tested the glow plug relay and I would say it's working correctly with 11.7 to 12.1 volts it also clicked on and off. After that I checked the glow plugs in the plug at the valve covers first with a volt meter to find they all read open. Then checked again with a test light hooked to the positive to get the same result. With all 8 glow plugs dead, I'm amazed it starts as well as it does. I plan to take the valve covers off and investigate further before I order any parts. To answer some questions, I'm not certain the type of oil in it all I know is it is has enough to function. It was basically a parts truck and I've almost got it road ready, as of now I only move it around the yard here and there. I plan to put in Rotella T5 Synthetic 15-40 along with a filter shortly. I ran it once then unplugged the ICP the truck had a slight change of RPM then back to normal within a second or two. I considered one glow cycle to be turning the key to on and then waiting for the wait to start light to go out and start cranking. The ICP behavior when cranking made me suspicious as well but as I put before I've got a new one coming anyway.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 1,415
From: Oologah, OK
I don't test for the voltage at the start relay terminals like that.
I put the voltmeter probes on Both Terminals.
it should read Battery Voltage key OFF, and ZERO voltage when starter is engaged.
if it reads more than a few tenths of a volt while the starter is turning, it is a bad relay...
why? because the contacts have been burned and are creating Resistance.
I put the voltmeter probes on Both Terminals.
it should read Battery Voltage key OFF, and ZERO voltage when starter is engaged.
if it reads more than a few tenths of a volt while the starter is turning, it is a bad relay...
why? because the contacts have been burned and are creating Resistance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
Thanks for the replies, I tested the glow plug relay and I would say it's working correctly with 11.7 to 12.1 volts it also clicked on and off. After that I checked the glow plugs in the plug at the valve covers first with a volt meter to find they all read open. Then checked again with a test light hooked to the positive to get the same result.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cparks
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
14
May 10, 2020 06:32 PM
Dieselgrowl
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Jul 8, 2014 09:08 AM
fishman002
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Nov 6, 2013 01:04 AM