Wait to Start light
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 209
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From: Mount Airy, Md
Wait to Start light
I have only owned my PSD for 2 weeks and I am still getting used to looking for the "Wait to Start" light. My question is this. Will it hurt anything if the truck is started before waiting for the Wait to Start light goes out? So far the truck has started fine the 3 times I accidentily didn't wait for the light to go out. Thanks Tom
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Waiting for the light to go out is a good practice. The cycling of the glow plugs will help develop a more complete burn of the fuel upon start up and reduce deposits that can form on the valves.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,529
Likes: 12
From: Marysville, Wa
it doesnt really hurt anything, but like mentioned before, is a good practice, mainly when the engine is cold. It builds heat in the cylinders. Now if you drive the truck around all day, shut it off and home, and leave half an hour later, the wait to start light becomes a suggestion more than anything else. It will start easier if you do wait though
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: northwest Connecticut
I have got into the habit of waiting for that light to go off. As a matter of fact I am so used to it that when I went to drive my wifes car the other day she asked me why was I waiting to start it?? I was just sitting there with the key on radio going looking for the wait to start light to go off and her car has a gass motor, go figure....
New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 20
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HAHAHAAA! too funny stinger! After I drive my f350 and then we take the wife's expy out I do the same thing I turn it over and wait.... then about 3 seconds later I reazlie I'm waiting for that big ol' diesel glory to be ready to work for me 
LOL boy am I dissapointed when I start it and all I hear is a gasser 
good thing the wife doesn't read my posts !!!
LOL boy am I dissapointed when I start it and all I hear is a gasser good thing the wife doesn't read my posts !!!
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
I pay attention to my WTS light, but only to a degree. With my flip chip, I can select between different computer codes to operate the engine. With my stock code, the WTS light is on for a lot longer than with either of my optional programs. I don't think the truck is any more ready to start with the optional programs, so I don't let the light tell me when to start the truck. I reach in and turn the key on, to start the glow plug cycle. By the time I get in, get my seat belt on, and get the cell phone in the cup holder, I turn the key to start the truck. It's probably been 20 seconds since I first put the key in, and 10 seconds since the light went out. I get less smoke that way, and doesn't really add anything to the starting ritual. I'm not adding any steps, I'm just doing them in a different order.
Just my $.02.
Just my $.02.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 591
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Yeah I watch it but like Quad by the time I get in and everthing situated, secured, and gennerally in the right place it's ready to go...I'm thinking about putting a WTS in the wifey's Explorer just so she doesn't look at me funny when we drive it....Oh yeah caught her reading the forums the other night so any reference to mods needs to be precluded with "If you don't have this it won't run right" clause 
John
Thanks Quad for the help the other day!!
John
Thanks Quad for the help the other day!!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: North Idaho
I've had mine since it was new, and the only time I wait for the light ( and sometimes a little longer) is when I know it won't start without it. It still has the original glow plugs and Motorcraft batteries.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Not waiting doesn't hurt anything?!? NOT!!! You can get away with it for awhile, but it will catch up to you. The light is a signal to wait until the glow plugs are hot enough to ignite (and burn) the fuel. Not waiting leads to eventual fouling of the glow coils. If that doesn't worry you, get a price on what it costs to replace your glow coils. Maybe that will convince you to wait a couple more seconds before turning the key.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
The "Wait To Start" light is a good habit to get into because of all the comments above and it also makes you scan the gauges before and ususually after you start the engine. Even when I get into a gasser and know that it's not a diesel I can't help myself, I wait and scan the gauges before I turn the key. Just a good habit to get into..........