Hard Start In Winter???
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New User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 20
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Hard Start In Winter???
97 f-250 4x4 7.3....starts when plugged in for 2 hours under 50 degrees...or cycle the key 5- 10 times....glow plug relay works, new glow plugs 50k miles ago and still has the same problem (the reason i changed them) ...when its under 30 degrees i get white smoke, then it clears in a min. or two....any ideas or suggestions? ever since ive owned the truck when it had 26k miles and now its has 163k...its always done this...are all diesels this way?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,554
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not all diesels are like that mine wont give me any trouble starting without being plugged in until it gets to 0*f then it pretty much must be plunged in or cycle the glow plugs. when is the last time you put new batterys in it? does it crank over fast?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
Be sure your batteries are fully charged and all the connections are clean and tight.
On your next cold start....use a screwdriver or any chunk of metal, cross out the 2 large terminals on the top of the GPR for about 30 seconds. Jump in the truck and fire it up.
1. If it starts and runs OK then you need a GPR.
2. If it starts OK but it shakes/misses and still blows white smoke you may need a couple GP's and/or a GPR.
3. If it takes a long time to fire up then you may need new batteries. The engine needs to spin pretty fast to get going.
GP's don't last forever, 50K miles is a lot under normal use.
BTW: You can see the GPR working by watching the volt meter in the dash, not the Wait To Start light (WTS). Do not cycle the key every time the WTS light goes off. The GPR may still be energized.
The meter should read very low for up to 2 minutes (really cold)....or about 30-60 seconds for 50ºF. Wait until the volt meter jumps up then try to start it.
On your next cold start....use a screwdriver or any chunk of metal, cross out the 2 large terminals on the top of the GPR for about 30 seconds. Jump in the truck and fire it up.
1. If it starts and runs OK then you need a GPR.
2. If it starts OK but it shakes/misses and still blows white smoke you may need a couple GP's and/or a GPR.
3. If it takes a long time to fire up then you may need new batteries. The engine needs to spin pretty fast to get going.
GP's don't last forever, 50K miles is a lot under normal use.
BTW: You can see the GPR working by watching the volt meter in the dash, not the Wait To Start light (WTS). Do not cycle the key every time the WTS light goes off. The GPR may still be energized.
The meter should read very low for up to 2 minutes (really cold)....or about 30-60 seconds for 50ºF. Wait until the volt meter jumps up then try to start it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 11,231
Likes: 130
From: Thomasville, GA
What kind of glowplugs did you use?
And like Jim said, don't cycle the key. The glowplugs will be on from when you turn the key until the volts jump back up. Just leave the key on and wait longer even after the WTS light goes off.
And like Jim said, don't cycle the key. The glowplugs will be on from when you turn the key until the volts jump back up. Just leave the key on and wait longer even after the WTS light goes off.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
X2 on the check connections.
My left battery had a poor positive connection on it. It was good enough that the battery was getting discharged and charged, but when the starter hit the left battery wasn't helping nearly as much.
With a clean connection the difference was huge.
My left battery had a poor positive connection on it. It was good enough that the battery was getting discharged and charged, but when the starter hit the left battery wasn't helping nearly as much.
With a clean connection the difference was huge.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,207
Likes: 0
From: Kearney, Nebr
What about this gentlemen.... I'm getting excess smoke at start up again. The glow plug system is working properly and the injector o-rings where replaced two years ago. Is there anything else that cause smoke at start up? IPR?
Doesn't sound like o-rings as I still have great power supply at 3500 and it idles smooth.
P.S. Wayyy to early to bring this thread back. It's still August!
Doesn't sound like o-rings as I still have great power supply at 3500 and it idles smooth.
P.S. Wayyy to early to bring this thread back. It's still August!
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