I have a 2001 7.3 PSD.It recently started to get cold here in good ole cleve oh. and my deisel doesn't like to start...I'm talking between 20-30 degrees...Cranking amps seem low...Just had batteries checked today and they're ok...What bothers me even more is that when it does start it seems like the motor wants to jump out of the truck for about the first four or five engine rotations! Is this one side of the motors glow plugs not working? I haven't plugged in the block heater yet.

 

Might want to try plugging it in just to see what happens. Sounds to me like you may have a bad GPR or possibly a few bad GPs.
Don't know about the 01s but my 97 doesn't like to get cold. In order to get mine to start when real cold (<20) I have to cycle on the key and wait about 30 seconds after the wait to start light extinguishes.
Good luck and I am sure a few of the gurus will be around shortly.
Mike

 

I've never tried to wait... after the wait to start light goes out...I figure when the light light goes out it should BE ready! This motor just RRocks back and forth for a few seconds until it starts hitting on all cylinders...It doesn't happen during the summer, only when it gets cold. I'm thinking of starting with the GPR's. I've never done this before so I guess I'll go buy them and then look for them under the hood...Other threads have said that it's an easy job so I figure they are out in the open...Also Ive been reading a lot of other threads but none of them to seem to say anything about the motor rocking or jumping back and forth...Thanks

 

mine used to do the same thing, i had it checked by the dealer and they said everything was fine. i switched to 5-40 syn oil and the problem went away, never to return.

 

If the oil (being too thick) is the cause of the problem, wouldn't plugging it in help out some?
Mike

 

I will change my oil this weekend!!!! It actually sounds like it makes sense! Thanks wlihntr!

 

yes it would, if i plugged it in (before i switched the oil) it would not do it

 

I had the same problem. As stated above, Let you glowplugs cycle all the way. If you turn your key to the on position and turn off your air and radio you can also hear the fuel pump filling up your fuel bowl. When you hear the noise stop, crank the beast. I have not had a problem since I started doing this.

 

Sounds like good advice guys...thanks for your time and input..