Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Wasted 50 bucks!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2006 | 10:05 PM
  #1  
true blue's Avatar
true blue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Club FTE Silver Member

Wasted 50 bucks!

Well I replaced my GPR and it did nothing to change my situation. When I start the truck in the morning the Volt meter still cycles like mad and the truck does not start any better. I suspect there is something wrong in the timer circuit. I am about at the point where I will put a moment switch on the GPR and activate the GP's on my own.

How long can you safely hold them on?

I prefer things to work properly. Is there any way to effectively test the system? This is starting to p!$$ me off.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2006 | 11:36 PM
  #2  
ForemanES's Avatar
ForemanES
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: AZ
Had the same thing happen a few months ago... The truck started very slow

Clean and check all your battery connections!!
Get the batteries load tested to see if they are ok.
Check all the fuses under the hood.


Many people have done the manual gp switch, if you leave the switch on they will automatically turn off. But in the warmer months you dont have to cycle the gps when you dont need them
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 06:52 AM
  #3  
true blue's Avatar
true blue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by ForemanES
Had the same thing happen a few months ago... The truck started very slow

Clean and check all your battery connections!!
Get the batteries load tested to see if they are ok.
Check all the fuses under the hood.


Many people have done the manual gp switch, if you leave the switch on they will automatically turn off. But in the warmer months you dont have to cycle the gps when you dont need them
How would they shut off? If I run new wires to the GPR and flip a switch in the cab they should stay on until something burned up..right?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 08:09 AM
  #4  
bkcowboss's Avatar
bkcowboss
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
From: Herndon KY
If you end up putting a manual switch for the glow plug then you want a spring to the off position switch, whether it be a button or spring switch I believe it is essential that you must hold it on, cause if it gets left on, or bumped on, stays on to long it can cause a failure in the structural integrity of the GP causing the tip to break off and trash the cylinder and piston causing thousands of dollars of damage.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 09:36 AM
  #5  
believer45's Avatar
believer45
Posting Guru
20 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Originally Posted by true blue
How would they shut off? If I run new wires to the GPR and flip a switch in the cab they should stay on until something burned up..right?
I think ForemanES is referring to a glow plug bypass not a manual glow plug switch like you are thinking about. I agree with bkcowboss that the momentary on switch would be a good idea to keep from inadvertantly turning the glow plugs on and leaving them.

As for time, 45 - 90 seconds before you start (depending on how cold it is), another 60-90 once started to help the engine "catch" and run smoothly if it is really cold.

Dave / Believer45
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 07:35 PM
  #6  
true blue's Avatar
true blue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Club FTE Silver Member

Has anyone installed the manual switch? Is it a pain to always have to manually hold a switch?

I thought about building my own box with a timer. I could get the parts from Radio Shack. I could probably build one with multiple settings depending on the temps outside.

Is the factory timer in the PCM?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 07:49 PM
  #7  
cookie88's Avatar
cookie88
FTE Leadership Emeritus
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
FTE Emeritus
Originally Posted by true blue
Is the factory timer in the PCM?
Yes, which suggests that the problem lies elsewhere. Did you get the batteries checked out?
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 09:07 PM
  #8  
bkcowboss's Avatar
bkcowboss
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,059
Likes: 0
From: Herndon KY
Have you pulled codes? if not try going to your local parts store bust out an OBD II code reader pull the codes and if you need somebody to look it up and we will. Maybe you will get lucky
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 12, 2006 | 10:24 PM
  #9  
true blue's Avatar
true blue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by cookie88
Yes, which suggests that the problem lies elsewhere. Did you get the batteries checked out?
I did not get the batteries checked out yet. The cables are good. The truck turns over normally when I start it. I would be surprised if the batteries were bad. I will still take them somewhere to be checked out. I guess to check them you must disconnect both?

The only code I have is for the chip that is in the truck. I guess I could pull the chip and see if that is the problem.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2006 | 07:20 AM
  #10  
plowhand's Avatar
plowhand
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
Club FTE Gold Member
To test your batteries, just drive your truck to your favorite auto parts store. They can load test them with them in the truck. They should disconnect both batteries and test each one individually. Most will do this for free.

Chips have been known to go bad.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2006 | 07:35 AM
  #11  
plowhand's Avatar
plowhand
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
Club FTE Gold Member
Another thought, have you checked: the Valve Cover Gasket connectors; the UVC (Under Valve Cover) wiring; the glow plugs themselves? You may have problems in one or more of these areas.

To determine if it is the timer cycling on and off, check the power on the two small wires going to the GPR. With the inginition off there should not be power. With the ingnition on you should have constant power.

If with the ignition on you have on-off-on-off power, then it is indeed your timer not supplying constant power to the GPR. But, if you have constant power, something else is causing your GRP to trip and cycle.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2006 | 08:31 PM
  #12  
true blue's Avatar
true blue
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 549
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville, Alabama
Club FTE Silver Member

Now why didn't I think of that I will have to try that tomorrow.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:21 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE