Hard Starting 7.3
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Senior User
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From: Briggsdale, CO
Hard Starting 7.3
I've been having intermittent problems starting the 2000 7.3 for the last two weeks or so. It hasn't really been that cold, down to mid-twenties at the lowest. Batteries seem good, can get it to spin over plenty but just won't fire off. I'll get a cough maybe 4 out of 5-6 times, then nothing for a couple tries. I've changed oil and filter, air and fuel filters. When it is running, I also get an occaisional wiff of diesel in the cab, even when it's warmed up. I'm lost on this, do I maybe have some glow plugs out, or getting week? Any other ideas? Help!
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From: McNairy county, TN.
Originally Posted by Tedfrd
On cold nights, (under 40 deg F), it's a good idea to use the block heater. Also, have you considered an anti gel product like Howes Deisel Treat?
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From: Briggsdale, CO
Thanks folks, yes, white smoke while cranking, I had been missing the Diesel Klean over the spring and summer. I did run some last tank, it did start.......
Got it on my list to pick up at wallyworld today when I'm in town. I've never seen the "Howe's" where can you find that? Or, is it pretty much like Diesel Klean?
Last night I finally set up my timer/extension cord to plug in, guess that will be the drill from now on. Even this morning, hard start. Finally I cycled the glow plugs three times without cranking, and it fired. I'm just worried about when I head into the high country to ski, and it gets down around or below zero, even plugged in will it start?
Thanks again...........
Got it on my list to pick up at wallyworld today when I'm in town. I've never seen the "Howe's" where can you find that? Or, is it pretty much like Diesel Klean?
Last night I finally set up my timer/extension cord to plug in, guess that will be the drill from now on. Even this morning, hard start. Finally I cycled the glow plugs three times without cranking, and it fired. I'm just worried about when I head into the high country to ski, and it gets down around or below zero, even plugged in will it start?
Thanks again...........
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Near Yosemite CA
Sounds like your glow plug relay, GPR, is gone or going, when it goes, it goes, had to replace the one on my 02 7.3, I would suggest getting it replaced soon! Starters are fairly pricey and I think the GPR is cheaper....
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From: McNairy county, TN.
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Logistics Pro
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Originally Posted by fatswany
Thanks folks, yes, white smoke while cranking...
Last night I finally set up my timer/extension cord to plug in, guess that will be the drill from now on. Even this morning, hard start. Finally I cycled the glow plugs three times without cranking, and it fired. I'm just worried about when I head into the high country to ski, and it gets down around or below zero, even plugged in will it start?
Thanks again...........
Last night I finally set up my timer/extension cord to plug in, guess that will be the drill from now on. Even this morning, hard start. Finally I cycled the glow plugs three times without cranking, and it fired. I'm just worried about when I head into the high country to ski, and it gets down around or below zero, even plugged in will it start?
Thanks again...........
If rough for a few mins, I'd say glow plugs. If not, GPR.
You can check my sig, there's a thread called 7.3 Hard starting, etc. with a lot of good info including changing the GPR and part numbers and all that good stuff.
You should definitely plug it in every night until you get the GPR fixed (if that's what it is), and then still plug in if it's colder, as it'll just make the cold starts easier on the engine.
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From: Briggsdale, CO
Once it fires, it idles out right away. I'll pop for a GPR and the ease of installing first. The tip about jumping across the relay, is that legit? If so I'll try tomorrow, if a regular try doesn't work. But, I think you've pointed me down the right track. Autozone has them? I'm sure that would be cheaper than the Stealership.
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Yeah, autozone has the gpr. You can use the one for the OBS style trucks... I think it mentions the details in that thread in my sig.
Yeah the screwdriver trick should be a good way to tell: hold it so the metal part contacts across the relay for however long it recommended and that should activate the glow plugs if the relay is not working as it should. If it starts up fine after doing that, I'd say it's gpr.
Yeah the screwdriver trick should be a good way to tell: hold it so the metal part contacts across the relay for however long it recommended and that should activate the glow plugs if the relay is not working as it should. If it starts up fine after doing that, I'd say it's gpr.
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From: Briggsdale, CO
Definetely the GPR. Tried to start, nada, left the key on, jumpered the relay, when I did that, I could here the relay start clicking, held it for 8-10 seconds, fired right up. Unpluged the beast for a few hours and did the same thing all over again. I'll be picking up a relay today when in town. Thanks for the help Ryan, and others. Again, this site comes through, it rocks.
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From: Briggsdale, CO
OK, had a rough week, picked up the Autozone relay, MR99, it it is similar, but not exactly the same. Is there polarity on the different studs? It appears that there is a - on one side of the small posts. Don't want to toast it out of the box. Ideas? Expertise? Thanks Ryan.
Tim
Tim
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From: Briggsdale, CO
No it's the MR-99, from Autozone. But your right, it's just off 90 degreess, I just wanted to make sure it didn't mattter, if there was a polarity arrangment. I'll give her a whirls, getting tired of jumping the old one to get it started after it cools off. Thanks.
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I've had problems very similar to "fatswany".... as the weather is getting colder my '03 7.3L is slow to start. Today it wouldn't start even once the sun came out and warmed it up a little. I replaced air filter, changed oil, and added diesel, all to no avail. I've never worked on a car before. This is my first diesel. How hard is it to replace the GPR or glow plugs myself? Does anyone know of a good "how to" resource on the web?