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I have a 2001 powerstroke and when I crank it the tach does not register until it actually fires off. What is it that I have been reading in these threads about watching the tach during cranking which will tell me what the possible problem might be. I have been experiencing longer cranking then normal. It does not die on me at all, it will crank but takes a little longer then it used to. Am i looking at the glow plug relay or cps that yall talk about watching the tach during cranking. Thanx for the help.
It's a faultly CPS that will cause the tach not to register when cranking. Get one from International for about $70, instead of getting it at Ford for twice that. Same part, same box, etc.
You might consider having your batteries checked. I experienced the same symptoms as you are describing, even the tach thing. Eventually, the truck would not start. Engine would crank over pretty well, just wouldn't fire up. Turns out that the injectors require 130vac to operate. That's why we have two batteries. The onboard invertor sucks a lot of juice to fire the injectors while starting.
I agree with Quadzilla, faulty Cam Position Sensors usually have the tach symptom as well. But it sounds like you might have weak batteries.
Thanx Quadzilla and gchavez for the quick response. How many volts should I read on the cold post on the glow plug relay. It is clicking and it has voltage on the cold post but it reads 10.9 volts, is that about normal. I cant stand it that this truck is not cranking normal and what I mean by normal is crank with 1 to 2 seconds or just fire right up when the wait to start lite goes out. It takes 3 to 4 seconds and kinda sputters sometimes. Thanx again fellows.
Voltage sounds low. That clicking noise you are hearing is another symptom I had when my batteries were bad. Keep a pair of jumper cables handy, I think you are going to need them pretty soon.
The new Motorcraft MAX batteries are really good. I paid $220 for the pair, but some other guys here have gotten them for as low as $165 for the pair. If you need replacements, I recommend you change them out as pairs and not individually.