Hi everyone,

I have read this forum for a long time now but never posted. Just sitting back asborbing all of the knowledge you guys have!

I was just wrapping up installing new glow plugs, injector wiring harness and valve cover gaskets on my 2000 Powerstroke. On the last injector, the wiring harness plug goes in and stops about a quarter of an inch and won't go any farther. I am now worried that maybe a pin is bent preventing the plug from going in. I thought I was careful but I was tired and of may have gotten over anxious.

Anybody had this problem before? I assume there are two pins inside the injector plug. Can they be bent easly?

Thanks!

 

welcome to FTE! ive never had that problem but im sure a pair of niddle nose pliars well take care of it!

 

be careful, that indicates that you not inserting it correctly. i had the same proble, take your time, and dont FUBAR up your injector connector. rest for few min, and it will go in like butter. trust me, you dont need problems now.....

and BTW Welcome to FTE

 

I'm not sure you could get the plug in there far enough out of line to bend a pin with the alignment boss on the connector. I didn't look at mine that closely to see if it was possible but I would use a small dental mirror and light to inspect it before trying again. Better than pulling the injector. Good luck.

 

Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I slept on it and got up this morning to try it again and made sure it was going in straight but no luck. It only goes in so far and stops. With the guides on the top of the plug, it pretty much has to go in straight, it would seem. I will try and inspect it with a mirror. Otherwise I may have to pull the injector. I have never had an injector out before and I am not really looking forward to that.

Jerry

 

get a small mittor, and check the plug on the injector, and compare the plug on the harness to your old one, maybe its messed up?. i know i had one like that , but after some fiddling around i got it in , it was last one on DS so it was PITA cause my hands were going numb, and me knees were sore for a while too.
as loong as the pins wre straight on inj you will get it in,
i think its cause the harness is just about long to plug it in, thats what causes the problem..
good luck, and keep us posted,

 

Thanks Pete's_7.3SD! I am going out right now to try the mirror and see whats up! I can relate to your experience with the last injector. The one I am working on is the last one on the pass. side. Couldn't be a worse place!

I will keep you posted.

Thanks!

Jerry

 

Hey Guy's,
i was having problems getting my '99 7.3 to start this morning as well. so i plugged in the block heater for a bout 2 hours. started up, but not without difficulties. i am at the point where i need to change my glow plugs. can someone send me the steps require to do a good job, and also what is the best glow plug to use. i have a '99 F350 dually with 280k and have never change the plugs. (shame on me, huh.)

Thanks
Rick

 

first make sure its not your GPR(glow plyg relay) which is common problem on 7.3's, than , you have to remove Valve Covers, its a PITA but a little wiggling will get them out.
Passenger Side VC you can unscrew the OIL filler neck, which makes easyer to remove it, than get Motorcraft GP's ZD-11 and just replace them one by one,
make sure while you there get new Under Valve Cover Harness, and you will be all set, you can keep your stock VC gasket , they reusable.

 

Wow, You make it sound so easy. That is my project for to day.

Thank you Pete,

Rick

 

Update - After inspecting the inside of the injector plug with a mirror, I found some crud stuck up in the corner of the plug. I took a paper clip and cleaned it out. Once that was done, the plug went right in and no bent pins!

Now it is on to cleaning intercooler boots! Thanks for your suggestions and moral support!

Jerry

 

glad you got her fixed Jerry.

and Rick its Easy, just need patience and decent tools, VC are little pain to remove , especially the back bolts. other than that its pretty easy....

 

Now would be a great time to do the CCV mod.. Keeps those boots clean.

 

That's what I'm talking about. Glad ya got it.

 

Good news!