hi guys. I know that everyone seems to have this problem, but here is the situation.

I have a 96 f-250 Power Stroke with 380k miles on it. I plug it in every night during the winter months. The glow plugs probably have not been changed for three years.

I drove it around the other night and then left it for four hours in 0 degree weather before I got back to start it again. Of course it did not work. It was late and I did not have means to plug it in, so I left it.

I came back the next day and of course, it will not start at all. After two days of keeping it plugged in, and with a 12 volt battery charger on the passenger side, it still does not work. It will not even crank over. It only clicks when I try to turn it over. Voltage on the display panel says that the battery still has charge, and so does the battery charger.

Now come the questions.

1. Do you guys think it is a starter or a relay? Will either have to be replaced?

2. What does the power cord draw in terms of amps? I do not want this to happen again, and so what if I traveld with one of those portable power packs? If I used this for a few hours, do you guys think it would help?

3. Do you think I need new glow plugs?

4. Battery problems?

I know that I will have to have it dragged in,m but it would be nice to have a btter understanding of the $ damages before the mechanic gets to me.

Thank you for all of the help and sorry for the long post.

 

380k holy #$^*

is that right??

 

yep. 380 and counting. I change the oil every 5-6k miles. That's about it. Have had some work done it, pumps, seals, tires, ball joints, two transmissions. Nothing really, really serious though. Still runs great, if i keep it plugged in during the winter.

 

I think it may be the altenator.
or maybe even the starter. But I would do an altenator check first

Do the 7.3 PSD have glow plugs? I thought they didn't
I know the ones in the school buses I drive dont have glow plugs
but they are the International versions not the Fords