PSD 4x4 2000 216,000 miles - sometimes it starts the first try, sometimes it takes multiple try's, it has always started and when it starts it starts instantly. I thought it was the cps, from all I have read that seemed to be the answer, a new cps made no difference.The glow plugs are all working, it will turn over and the tach moves everytime I turn it over, and sometimes it will try to start then no fire in the hole. SO I turn off the ignition and try again, it is totally random as to when it will start, I get white smoke when I try it and it doesn't start, then it will fire as soon as I try it other times. Does't make a differnce how many times I cycle the glow plugs. After it starts once in the morning it starts everytime for the rest of the day. I guess it is just getting tired of going to work every morning. Yesterday the batteries got low from trying to start,so I put the charger on and it started the very next try. Is there another sensor that is affected by the cps? One other observation ,I need a new throttle position sensor, once in awhile I get no response form the throttle for just a second then the next time I push down on the throttle, we are on our way, will the tps affect the cps? It has been doing this all fall, now it is starting to get cold I need to have is so it will fire on the first try.

 

Did you check the under valve cover harnesses?
If you need a TPS you can get it here:

http://www.dormanproducts.com/docume...s_Sensors2.pdf

 

Since you are getting white smoke while cranking, you must have oil pressure to fire fuel into each injector. Putting everything else aside, I think you may have a glow plug relay acting that is capput. Next time you need to drive the truck, when the engine is cold, cross the terminals of the GPR with a screwdriver (with the key on) and then try cranking it. This, works well with two people. all in all your symptoms are pointing toward glowplug or GPR.

 

You do not need the key on for the screwdriver jumper trick. It is always hot on the battery side so jumping the relay with a large screwdriver or jumper cable for a minimum of 1 minute will do it. Then just jump down and go crank the truck. I am about to post some observations of a similar situation in my truck.