Crank No start
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 94
Crank No start
Truck has been sitting for about 10 days in temps between 35-10 degrees. Batteries had enough volts to crank but not enough to fire the motor. It’s been charging for over an hour /my lack of patience keeps me trying to start it every 15 minutes. Last time the truck was at 30 for over a week it fired up nicely. Wondering if I need to swap the fuel filter or start looking at other items on the Rig. Can hear the fuel pump running before cranking.
I’ve recently done UVCH, VC harness, engine harness w GP relay, glow plugs, batteries under a year old and the truck has enough oil.
I’ve recently done UVCH, VC harness, engine harness w GP relay, glow plugs, batteries under a year old and the truck has enough oil.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,079
Likes: 1,417
From: Oologah, OK
Battery charging in Cold Weather.
Less than many hours between charges is a useless attempt and just makes matters worse.
Cold Batteries will NOT accept a charge quickly, more like a Trickle Charge... until the battery case get warm to the touch... then it will accept many Amps of charge.
you should keep them on a Battery Tender 24/7/365 if the truck is not running down the road...
my battery volts always shows 13.3 on the Power Port DVM.
Less than many hours between charges is a useless attempt and just makes matters worse.
Cold Batteries will NOT accept a charge quickly, more like a Trickle Charge... until the battery case get warm to the touch... then it will accept many Amps of charge.
you should keep them on a Battery Tender 24/7/365 if the truck is not running down the road...
my battery volts always shows 13.3 on the Power Port DVM.
Cross-Country
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 54
Likes: 8
Yes that would help, it also reminds me that I switched from 15w40 to rotella t6 5w40. Made a huge difference. I am not a huge synthetic fan but it is thinner and that is what you want in cold weather.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 5,079
Likes: 1,417
From: Oologah, OK
Lake Speed, "the Oil Geek" said that 5w40 full synthetic is good for year around use in diesel engines, he mentioned HEUI injectors in that video.
I have 5w40 full synthetic in my 7.3, for over a year now...
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,583
Likes: 841
From: knoxville, tn
So many variables impact the 7.3 on a cold start. Looks like you have many of them covered.
Which glow plug relay did you install? The factory one is less than ideal. The Stancor relay works much better.
make sure you don’t have a parasitic draw. It can really impact the truck if it sits for several days at a time.
what battery did you go with? You might consider testing them to make sure they are still good
Which glow plug relay did you install? The factory one is less than ideal. The Stancor relay works much better.
make sure you don’t have a parasitic draw. It can really impact the truck if it sits for several days at a time.
what battery did you go with? You might consider testing them to make sure they are still good
Trending Topics
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 107
From: BoCoMo
Do you know that your Glow Plug Relay is even coming on, to heat up the Glow Plugs?
Buy a Volt Meter to plug into your power port and this will show you:
1) Battery voltage at rest.
2 Battery voltage with key on and "wait to start" light on. (voltage drop) GPR comes on..... If there is no voltage drop, then look into your GPR having an issue.
3) Voltage drop when trying to start. If the voltage drops TO Far (below 10.5?) the truck will not start...
4) Voltage when (if) truck starts, voltage will go up, but remember the GPR is still on (if working), even when the 'wait to start' light goes out.
5) when the GPR goes off, truck running, the voltage will rise (slowly) and settle at the point of voltage out put from the Alternator.
Have your batteries fully charged up and then have them load tested. If one of your batteries has 'issues', the 'bad' battery will pull the 'good' battery down to 'its' level.
Buy a Volt Meter to plug into your power port and this will show you:
1) Battery voltage at rest.
2 Battery voltage with key on and "wait to start" light on. (voltage drop) GPR comes on..... If there is no voltage drop, then look into your GPR having an issue.
3) Voltage drop when trying to start. If the voltage drops TO Far (below 10.5?) the truck will not start...
4) Voltage when (if) truck starts, voltage will go up, but remember the GPR is still on (if working), even when the 'wait to start' light goes out.
5) when the GPR goes off, truck running, the voltage will rise (slowly) and settle at the point of voltage out put from the Alternator.
Have your batteries fully charged up and then have them load tested. If one of your batteries has 'issues', the 'bad' battery will pull the 'good' battery down to 'its' level.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wheelburrow
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Jul 14, 2022 05:07 PM
Dlago19
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
10
May 29, 2022 06:48 PM
j250hd
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
14
Jul 11, 2011 10:16 PM