Cold starting.
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New User
Joined: Jul 2006
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Cold starting.
My 99 Powerstroke is really hard starting in the colder weather. Anything in the 30's can be a challenge. plug it in for 2 hours and it starts like a dream. So what should I be looking for or get changed. I know the 99's are usually hard starters but living in ND in the winter it would be nice to have a easier starter.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Here are a couple of tests that you can make to narrow down the problem. With the truck cold, on a cold morning, open the door of your truck and leave it open so the interior lights are on. Then turn the key to the ON position while you observe the interior light. The light should dim considerably IF the glow plug relay is working properly and the glow plugs are working properly. IF the interior light doesn't dim, then your glow plug relay (GPR) is probably faulty. Check the glow plug relay by taking a screwdriver and jump across the large posts of the relay for about 30 secs and then try to start the truck. If your batteries are good and the truck still doesn't start, then the glow plugs are faulty...you will have to ohm them out to determine which are good and which aren't. Hope this helps and let us know what you find.
Last edited by nlemerise; Jan 22, 2007 at 10:33 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
The interior light dim trick may work if your batteries are a little older. My interior lights don't dim at all, so that test wouldn't work in my case, and possibly yours.
nlemerise is right about the relay. That is the most common failure in the glow plug system. It's also the easiest to fix.
nlemerise is right about the relay. That is the most common failure in the glow plug system. It's also the easiest to fix.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Thanks for that tip on ther interior lights not dimming on new batteries...I always thought the amperage drain was so great by the glow plugs that it the dimming would be visible on all trucks. I wonder if you tried this at night with the headlights on, if you would see them dim shining on the barn?
