When starting the truck with the remote, the glow plug light does not come on in the dash but there is a 15 sec delay. Is this normal? The light comes on when starting with the key. Also it is -3 and upon inital startup, the truck sounds like the engine is going to fall out and blows smoke for about 10 sec. Anyone having these issues?

 

Because the key is off and the circuitry of the remote start the light wount come on. this is perfectly normal.

 

I wouldn't start my truck in -3 degree weather with a remote start, just piece of mind I guess. Also, you're gonna want to be up to date on flashes and the type of oil you use for early morning start ups. May want to look into a block heater also.

 

I live in Alberta, Canada. The truck comes with a block heater. In winter time it gets down to -30. That's the whole reason I have a remote start. I just got the truck so I will have to see what type of oil is in there. My last diesel never sounded like this one on inital startup. I didn't usually plug it in until below -10.

 

fastball, a 15 second delay is about right. I would think your problem is the temp outside and that you have 15w40 oil in that truck. You should change to 10w30 dino or 5w40 syn, but make sure its the right oil for your engine, as I dont see what you have.

I remote start mine all the time and no problems so far. Just make sure you plug her in if its much colder. If you are in really cold temps you might add a heat pad to your engine and tranny oil pans and plug them in with the block heater. I have not got around to doiing this myself but I do use the block heater when its below about -15 C.

I have remote started my truck below -40 without block heater and it has started, but it sounds pretty bad for quite a while until I could get some heat in her. Also, think about a winter front which will allow you to drive in really cold weather at proper operating temps.

 

Thanks Mhoefer for the info. I will check and see what oil is in it and get it changed out to a syn (royal purple I think) and also a winter front. Is there different type's of synthetic for summer and winter or is it the same?

 

It is possible that you are not powering up of all of the ignition circuts with the remote starter, which may require additonal relay(s).

Always there is a 1st ignition (true Ignition)

2nd (usually always) and even (some times) 3rd ignitions need to be powered by the remore start

2nd and 3rd ignitions usually power the A/C, heater or blower motor, instrument cluster , which will drop out during start, it's possible that the 2nd or 3rd is not powered up and you will not see any of the warning lighs on the dash while it cranks.

Check www.the12volt.com for wiring color codes.

 

The glow plug light should come on if the remote starter is wired correctly. It won't be on the whole time of the time delay by the alarm but it should be on at the begining.

 

All my dash lights illuminate normally when I use my remote start. What brand is your remote start and who installed it?

 

Does it do this on remote start only or with the key also?
Your warning lights should come on. There's an ignition or accessory wire that's not hooked up. I don't start plugging mine in until -15*to -20*.

 

i don't have my truck here so i can't tell you about the glowplug light issue. howver i live just north of Calgary alberta and i certainly bought my remote for winter startups. I have been using petrocanada 5w40 synthetic since i bought it in feb 07, it works great. i generally set my switch for high idle when i shutdown, then in the morning i hit the command start it comes up to normal idle for 2 or 3 seconds then smoothly moves up to high idle no unusual rattles or banging. it can't even fire until the puter sees oil pressure and with a good syn it certainly should flow ok. its not pretty but i have started plenty of vehicles with 15w40 in minus 30 celcius weather including a 5 L trans am that i owned for 10 years. it even started at -30 without being plugged in nevermind a pan heater i just let it work its way up slowly for the first minutes or two. it still sounded tight at 6k rpm when i sold it.so yeah put a pan heater on if your power bill just isn't quite high enough or you feel that your power supplier needs the cash. i would try it at that temp without using the command start if it starts nice after glowplug light goes out then i would suspect you are not getting preheat, that would be an installation issue

 

This morning I cycled it twice with the remote before starting and it started ok without any abnormal sounds from the engine. I will try that again in the morning. Although there is a 15 sec delay, something still makes me feel the glow plugs are not coming on with the remote seeing there is no illumation of the glow plug light in the dash.
Another Question about headbolts/studs. What causes them to wear out and how would you tell if they need to be replaced?

 

If there is no glow plug light coming on when remote starting, it is NOT wired properly!

The 15 second delay is what the alarm should do it gives the glow plugs time to warm but it is useless if the alarm isn't wired right and is not turning on ALL the ignition circuits.
Does the glow plug light illuminate when starting with the key? If it does have you alarm wired correctly.

 

Yes the glowplug light comes on when started with the key. I will have to bring it back to the dealership and get them to check it out seeing they installed it. I already phoned them and they said that it was normal for the light not to come on when using the remote so i'm not sure

 

Use 5w40 Syn all year round will be just fine. Just make sure its CI4+ or CJ4 rated diesel oil.
Nitro, the oil pan heater is like 200w, the block heater is the power hungry one. If you want a stroker to start, its a good idea to heat up the oil a bit, there is NO water jacket around the oil pan so when it starts pumping its stone cold and thick. I am just suggesting, I have not bothered with mine yet either, and I use the block heater seldom cause I have a semi heated garage. I know on the heavy trucks with webasto's on them way north, they NEVER shut them off and continuously heat the water and curculate it including heating the cab if they want. But they still dont heat the oil. In the case of a stroker, firing injectors, not a bad idea I should think.