7.3 will not start
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New User
Joined: Feb 2009
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7.3 will not start
Hi. Could use lots of help.
We bought our first Ford this past summer, were told it needed glow plugs. Not the case. Tried several things. Oil pressure is good, IDM replaced, some other computer replace to the tune of $900. Still nothing.
It cranks beautifully, but pours out heavy smoke - fuel laden. No check engine light. Here's the thing. It started hard in July when we got it, but ran strong. After it would sit overnight, it wouldn't want to start again. Once you got it running again, it would start up all day long. But after sitting overnight it would not start again. I know ether was used a few times. I've read many things about the CPS - could this really be all that's wrong? It is not throwing any codes.
Beyond that, my husband is not home much and is not familiar with these things, as this is our first Ford and diesel to boot. Is there anyone near the Thumb of MI that could help - a Ford Expert? I don't trust dealerships for the most part. I can't afford their trial and error method!
We bought our first Ford this past summer, were told it needed glow plugs. Not the case. Tried several things. Oil pressure is good, IDM replaced, some other computer replace to the tune of $900. Still nothing.
It cranks beautifully, but pours out heavy smoke - fuel laden. No check engine light. Here's the thing. It started hard in July when we got it, but ran strong. After it would sit overnight, it wouldn't want to start again. Once you got it running again, it would start up all day long. But after sitting overnight it would not start again. I know ether was used a few times. I've read many things about the CPS - could this really be all that's wrong? It is not throwing any codes.
Beyond that, my husband is not home much and is not familiar with these things, as this is our first Ford and diesel to boot. Is there anyone near the Thumb of MI that could help - a Ford Expert? I don't trust dealerships for the most part. I can't afford their trial and error method!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
The smoke is a good sign, that means its getting fuel. Have you checked all the fuses? Some of these trucks have 2 fuse boxes- one under the dash, one under the hood. If you have one under the hood, its mounted on the driver's side close to the windshield (black box).
If that doesn't do it, I would try changing the CPS. It's a quick job and a common failure. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to FTE!
If that doesn't do it, I would try changing the CPS. It's a quick job and a common failure. Good luck, keep us posted, and welcome to FTE!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: Port Murray, NJ
Glow plug relay working? Sounds like the glow plugs aren't coming on.
How does it start if you plug the block heater in for a while?
Welcome to FTE! I'm sure the guys here will get you running.
How does it start if you plug the block heater in for a while?
Welcome to FTE! I'm sure the guys here will get you running.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
Welcome to FTE. What color is the smoke and how heavy is it? White, gray or black? Did you get the same smoke when it was summer time? There's a chance you've got 2 different things going on here.
Next time the truck sits and you expect it to be hard to start, check the oil level in the HPOP reservoir. There's an inspection plug you can remove and check to see if the oil is within 1" of the top.
If the smoke you're seeing is white, it's time to check the GPR and glow plugs. Do you have a multi-meter that can read volts and ohms? If so, we'll get you checking these too.
Next time the truck sits and you expect it to be hard to start, check the oil level in the HPOP reservoir. There's an inspection plug you can remove and check to see if the oil is within 1" of the top.
If the smoke you're seeing is white, it's time to check the GPR and glow plugs. Do you have a multi-meter that can read volts and ohms? If so, we'll get you checking these too.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: northern Michigan
I am a little further north of you in the wolverine state. Sounds to me like your glow plug relay isn't working. Use a voltmeter to check the voltage on the output side, should be close to the input side or the relay contacts are burnt. I had to replace mine a couple of years ago, new one is supposed to be reliable. Also try pluging in the block heater for a few hours and see if it helps, another indication of problems with the glowplug relay.
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New User
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ok guys - the smoke was thick and black in the summertime, very rich smelling. The oil level was good in the HPOP- that's one of the first things looked at when we got her.
Hubby is on the road (trucker) so we haven't tried any of your suggestions yet. He'll be home Friday, and we'll try to dig in. Wish us luck - we're all thumbs when it comes to Ford Diesel. New territory!
. . . and Sterling Heights - we're in Cass City, straight north on Van Dyke.
I appreciate the tips - we need to either fix it or sell it!!
Hubby is on the road (trucker) so we haven't tried any of your suggestions yet. He'll be home Friday, and we'll try to dig in. Wish us luck - we're all thumbs when it comes to Ford Diesel. New territory!
. . . and Sterling Heights - we're in Cass City, straight north on Van Dyke.
I appreciate the tips - we need to either fix it or sell it!!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
How many miles on the truck? Black smoke is usually excessive fuel or lack of air. If the air filter is good, you might need to get the injectors checked out on a scanner to see if there are any issues there.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
That's not bad mileage, but a lot depends on how it was maintained. The HEUI injection system relies on good clean oil to properly run the injectors. If the smoke is still black in the winter time, then it's not a glow plug issue.
Maybe you'll get lucky enough to find a fellow forum member close to you that has a scanner that can check things out for you if your search this weekend doesn't turn up anything.
Maybe you'll get lucky enough to find a fellow forum member close to you that has a scanner that can check things out for you if your search this weekend doesn't turn up anything.
New User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
my truck was running great, just had the glow plug relay changed and now it will crank but will never start. it has a heavy black smoke issue and i just spent $650 gettin other parts replaced. just drove it 2 days ago and had no issues. any ideas??
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Sounds kinda like what mine is doing right now. It has always started right up. A few days ago I was at the store and it would not start. Motor was cranking great but no ignition. The first time(when I was at the store) I was getting a fairly rapid clicking sound from under the dash while I was trying to start it. IMO, it was the sound of a relay switch. It will start now but takes about 6 cranks of the motor to slowly start up instead of the instant torque feeling start it use to have. Does this also sound like the GP relay? where exactly is it located? Also, is there a fuse for it and if the fuse were blown, would it still start at all?
Thanks
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,177
Likes: 40
From: Newport, WA
Sounds kinda like what mine is doing right now. It has always started right up. A few days ago I was at the store and it would not start. Motor was cranking great but no ignition. The first time(when I was at the store) I was getting a fairly rapid clicking sound from under the dash while I was trying to start it. IMO, it was the sound of a relay switch. It will start now but takes about 6 cranks of the motor to slowly start up instead of the instant torque feeling start it use to have. Does this also sound like the GP relay? where exactly is it located? Also, is there a fuse for it and if the fuse were blown, would it still start at all?
Thanks
Thanks
Go Bills !
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,778
Likes: 65
From: Buffalo, NY
Try dropping a 3/8 drive extension across the Glow plug relay terminals for a minute. That was how i used to start mine until i fixed it. You can reach it just standing on the side of the truck reaching in without removing anything. If it starts, Then it is the relay. The relay is the one closer to the windshield on the passenger side. a 1 minute test.
O yea. That 3/8 drive extension gets warm so you know current is flowing through.
O yea. That 3/8 drive extension gets warm so you know current is flowing through.