Wait to start
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
The "Wait to start" light isn't gospel. I don't pay attention to mine at all. In the morning, when it's 40* outside, I turn the key to the "run" position, then give it ten seconds before starting the truck. The light is on for only 4-5 seconds. Once the truck is warmed up and I'm restarting, I turn the key without waiting. You don't do any damage to the truck disregarding the WTS light, but it might need to crank longer to fire, especially if the engine is cold.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 4
From: Western NC
A diesel doesn't use a spark to ignite its fuel mixture like a gas engine, it uses the temperature of compressed air inside the cylinder. When the fuel is introduced into the heated air, it ignites. The glow plugs pre-heat this air to make the thing start easier. Thusly, if it is really cold outside, then it takes more time to pre-heat to whatever that acceptable temperture is. Personally, I don't think it is too unreasonable to wait 4 or 5 seconds for the glow plug system to do what Ford put it on there to do. Not sure any damage will occur if you do not, but I fail to see why anyone wouldn't want to follow the procedure. It's not like you have to perform any manual labor or that it takes 3 hours to do it. Just get into the habit and voila, you'll do it without even thinking about it. I know I do it even when I drive my wife's Explorer. If you don't have time to wait 5 seconds for the glow plugs to work, then you are just too busy......... 
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
I just got my first diesel about 4 weeks ago. I had to get into the habit of turning the key to on, then putting on my seat belt, then starting the engine.
Now I don't have any problem waiting on the light to go out.
Now I don't have any problem waiting on the light to go out.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 95
From: Phoenix, AZ
It's the idiots at the tire shop and the valet's that I worry about. But, I'm in Phoenix, not a big deal.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 435
Likes: 0
From: NW
Originally Posted by Black88GT
Well I did it, I just got it today, and I failed to wait to start it. What happens if you dont wait to start the truck? Thanks.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
When we go to Canada snowmobiling, and the trucks sit out in -50 degree temps all night, we'll go through two or three "wait to start" cycles, just turning the key from on to off (waiting for the WTS light to go out each time), then start the truck! Last year, it was so f'ing cold, we had two of our buddies jumping the PSD, one on each battery, and ran 3 lead cords across the parking lot from the hotel with 2 blow dryers and one to the block heater! We got there Fri morning, took a couple hours of the above to get it started Sat morning, and left it running till sun afternoon when we left!
Pointless I know, but I like the story!!!
Pointless I know, but I like the story!!!
Freshman User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
I'm new to Diesel as well, so it took a couple of days to get use to. Now I get the seat belts on before I start the engine. Should I run the truck at idle to warm up? Second question is should I get a turbo timer to take care of the idle before shut down?
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Originally Posted by rotested
When we go to Canada snowmobiling, and the trucks sit out in -50 degree temps all night, we'll go through two or three "wait to start" cycles, just turning the key from on to off (waiting for the WTS light to go out each time), then start the truck! Last year, it was so f'ing cold, we had two of our buddies jumping the PSD, one on each battery, and ran 3 lead cords across the parking lot from the hotel with 2 blow dryers and one to the block heater! We got there Fri morning, took a couple hours of the above to get it started Sat morning, and left it running till sun afternoon when we left!
Pointless I know, but I like the story!!!
Pointless I know, but I like the story!!!
