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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 11:42 AM
  #1  
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tripod
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From: Pa
Hard Starting...

Takes 4 turns of key allowing ea time for glow plug warmup to start engine,lots of gray smoke.Batts load test good.Is glow plug relay next,if so,where is it located? Then what? Thanx. 99.5 F250 SD,7.3,6 spd,Xcab,110,000 mi.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 12:25 PM
  #2  
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GregN
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From: Rogers, MN
What weight oil are you running? I had a similar problem with AMSOIL 15W-40. I just changed it last night with AMSOIL 5W-30. Night and day difference. Cranks faster, runs smoother, amazing difference.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 12:55 PM
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tripod
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From: Pa
Originally Posted by GregN
What weight oil are you running? I had a similar problem with AMSOIL 15W-40. I just changed it last night with AMSOIL 5W-30. Night and day difference. Cranks faster, runs smoother, amazing difference.
Rotellat 15w/40-since new.Started having problem middle of last winter,ok in warm weather.1700 mi 0n this change.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 01:18 PM
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spunks00
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mine i can see that the GPR is working becasue i see the volts drop when its on. mine is failing so that how i tell when it working or not, if your volts are above the half way then your GPR is not working but if they are under half way the GPs are heating...this is with just tuning the ignition on, not the motor.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 01:23 PM
  #5  
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GregN
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From: Rogers, MN
I was surprised what a difference the oil made. I am not saying to go with AMSOIL, that is your personal preference. I am not sure how familiar you are with these engines, but the engine oil is used as Hydraulic fluid to pressurize the fuel. If the oil is to thick then it will not flow through the injectors like it should. The first time it got real cold here my truck died twice when I was trying to start it (Monday), and now that I have the new oil it starts right up.

If you want to check your GP Relay or your GP's just do a search for that subject. It has been covered quite in depth in some other posts (Sorry I don't have a link), and I have never tested mine so I am not the best source of information on that. I did just replace my GP relay a month or so ago with the Stancor (Big Heavy Duty Relay) Relay. The GP Relay is located behind the Fuel Filter Bowl and to the Passenger side. If you were to grab the yellow drain valve on the fuel bowl then the back of your hand will almost touch the relay. Good Luck.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 02:35 PM
  #6  
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tripod
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From: Pa
Originally Posted by spunks00
mine i can see that the GPR is working becasue i see the volts drop when its on. mine is failing so that how i tell when it working or not, if your volts are above the half way then your GPR is not working but if they are under half way the GPs are heating...this is with just tuning the ignition on, not the motor.
Test lite=4 posts=3 with power-2 small and 1 large post.Large one next to fuel filter cover,w/2 leads,1 small green,1 large red,no power.Is that standard?
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 07:12 PM
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gjgogel
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From: Arizona City
No, that is not normal. With the key on ther should be power to one of the small posts, the other one is grounded through the PCM. There should be power to both ot the large posts. If both small posts have power, it appears that the PCM is not grounding the relay. Perhaps a broken wire.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2007 | 08:34 PM
  #8  
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zx250
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From: Concord NC
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Check your cranking voltage, bet its low. Got to have plenty of juice to get these things going on a cold day. One way to check is plug it up for a while and see if that helps it crank.
 
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