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Starting Problems

Old Mar 5, 2008 | 03:41 PM
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Starting Problems

Hi,

I am looking to buy a 99 F-250 7.3L that has realitively low miles (89,000). However when I brought it home on a test drive for the night, it wouldn't start. It will crank two or three time before I lose the battery voltage. I was able to get it to start after pluging it in. I am not sure what to do. The truck runs great other than it not startinig when it is cold out.


Any suggestions?

Mike
 
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 04:50 PM
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Do a search on this forum for glow plug relay (GPR) problems. There are a couple of excellent threads on the subject.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Hardrocker87
Hi,

I am looking to buy a 99 F-250 7.3L that has realitively low miles (89,000). However when I brought it home on a test drive for the night, it wouldn't start. It will crank two or three time before I lose the battery voltage. I was able to get it to start after pluging it in. I am not sure what to do. The truck runs great other than it not startinig when it is cold out.


Any suggestions?

Mike
Don't let that deter you from purchasing the truck. 89,000 is ungodly low mileage for a 99. Your problem will most likely come down to a malfunctioning GPR as stated before (a $60 part) or old batteries. Easy fixes for a good truck.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 06:12 PM
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Look and see if it has original batteries, sounds like bad batteries.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2008 | 06:19 PM
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Welcome to FTE Mike. You won't find a better place to learn about these trucks.

Since Smokin is from your neck of the woods and she's suggesting GPR then I'll assume it's a little chilly outside. Do you know where the GPR (Glow Plug Relay) is? You can test this with a multi-meter right after you turn the key on.

How long do you crank it each of the 2 or 3 times before it kills the batteries? These motors take A LOT of juice to get the started up. Weak batteries will sound like they are turning the engine over fast enough to start, but they're really not.

The first thing I would do is to get the batteries load tested, (test each battery separately while unhooked from the other one) or try charging it up a little and then see if a jump start works. Maybe you can use this to your advantage with the purchase price. If it is the batteries replace BOTH at the same time. Otherwise you'll have more starting issues in a couple of months.

If you need help with the GPR let me know. I'll see if I can dig up a picture to show you where it is.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 08:29 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Hardrocker87
Hi,

I am looking to buy a 99 F-250 7.3L that has realitively low miles (89,000). However when I brought it home on a test drive for the night, it wouldn't start. It will crank two or three time before I lose the battery voltage. I was able to get it to start after pluging it in. I am not sure what to do. The truck runs great other than it not startinig when it is cold out.


Any suggestions?

Mike
Mike where are you at, exactly? Perhaps I can stop by and take a quick look at it, unless you've taken it back to the dealer.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by F350-6

Since Smokin is from your neck of the woods and she's suggesting GPR then I'll assume it's a little chilly outside. .
20 degrees out right now, at 7:30 in the morning...which is up from yesterday, yesterday we got about 4 inches of snow.
 
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 08:48 AM
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If you dont purchase truck let me know where it is I may buy it myself..At that mileage it is basically a new truck..
 
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 11:50 AM
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I live over off of I-70 and Kipling. Sorry Can't email you, just joined...I can be reached by email at norse1088@hotmail.com. I can see about you stopping by to check it out.

Mike
 
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Old Mar 6, 2008 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Hardrocker87
I live over off of I-70 and Kipling. Sorry Can't email you, just joined...I can be reached by email at norse1088@hotmail.com. I can see about you stopping by to check it out.

Mike
I live off of Santa Fe and 285, but I work at like 6th Ave and I-25. Should be doable. I can load test the batteries and jump the GPR in the very least. I'll send you an email.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 09:12 AM
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Just and FYI, you guys who were watching this post. I got an email from him, he jumped the GPR on his own and it seemed to cure what ailed him...so at the time I talked to him, he had a new GPR on order.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 08:14 PM
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Thanks for the help with getting my truck to started...I replaced the GPR. However, it has not been the cold recently, so the real test will be when it cools down again in the next few days.

Mike
 
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Old Mar 12, 2008 | 08:21 PM
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Glad you got it working better Mike.

Great job helping the new guy and keeping us up to date Lisa. Can't give you any more reps till I spread some around.
 
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