2000 F250, 80K mi. morning temps 45-58 deg.
I have been having problems starting in the mornings, sometimes taking 3-4 attempts to get it started at the above temperatures. The first thing I did was replace the batteries. Most of my friends with diesels are telling me they aren't even relying on their glow plugs to start in the mornings, they just crank it over and it runs.
I have read on "checking the GPR" duh.... what's a gpr?
Does this even apply to me considering I am in a region where glow-plugs are supposedly not even necessary?
Sigh.... help guys.

 

Last year my truck would have problems starting if it was in the mid 40's. GPR was bad. All you need is a voltmeter to check your GPR. Do a search in this forum for +GPR +test and you'll find all the info you need. If you need to replace it, NAPA sells one that works on our trucks for about $30. People who rely on their GPs regularly typically go with the Stancor GPR. The NAPA part number is GPR109.

If your GPR is working, then it could be an issue with your glow plugs. You can also find out how to test them on this forum if needed.

-Chris

 

Outside temp doesn't have much to do with the glow plugs. On a cold engine the glow plugs need to come on. in warmer temps only for a few seconds will be needed. The relay should be checked first. A Curtis

 

What I was saying is most people here say they don't need their glow plugs because their engine doesn't get cold enough to need them... I'll look into the GPR test though. Thanks guys

 

How about oil level and last time you changed it?? Our injectors use oil to fire, just a thought. Here's a thread I dug up, difference in the Stancor and stock GPR. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...r-gpr-fit.html

 

Since your truck is a 2000, there are two identical relays that sit on top of the engine, just behind and on the passenger's side of the fuel bowl. The one closest to the front of the engine is the AIH relay, the one directly behind it is the GPR.

There are two large posts and two smaller posts. You're going to test the large posts. One always has power to it, even with the key off. The other will be hot with the key on, and when engine oil temps are low enough to engage the glow plugs.

Have someone turn the key on, and check to see that you have power to the second post. If not, you have a bad GPR.

 

Give your GPR a real good visual inspection before testing and see if the posts and/or the plastic around it looks a bit burned up or fried. I could tell mine was fried before connecting a multimeter. When it went bad, the truck would blow out a pretty good fog of smoke when started. I first noticed starting issues in the low forties. Does yours smoke when it finally starts?

Edit: I still tested the GPR with a multimeter, but was sure it was the culprit just by what it looked like.

 

What color of smoke are we talking about?

 

White smoke on a cold morning startup.

It's normal for these trucks to blow out some white smoke in very very cold temps, even with a perfectly functioning glow plug system. However, if it's belching out a cloud that would kill all the mosquitoes in a 30 mile radius, then there's a problem

 

Well those people, have the disconnected their glow plugs? Cause if not, they're still using them. The glow plugs stay lit even after the engine starts. Probably what is happening is they are not "waiting" for the glow plugs, but the plugs are still working.

 

Macamon, have you had a chance to take a look at it yet? If you find the relay to be bad, you can jumper it across the two big studs, which will power the glow plugs and allow you to see if it starts up the way it should. At least then you'll know that your plugs are good (or good enough).

-Chris

 

I see you are in Cali, that said, if that is a Cali truck, it will have a glow plug control module, adn should be throwing check engine codes as to what is wrong with the glow plug circuit.

 

Holy Cow!!!
I am floored by the flood of support I've recieved on this question.
THANK YOU!!! :'D

I will attempt to answer all of you here in order:

Big Poppa,
Oil level is good and it was changed about 500mi ago. Change before that was 8k mi ago and I use 15w40 Delo with a Motorcraft filter. I will get to your link soon, thank you for taking your time to find it for me.

Pocket,
This is such succinct informative information! I will perform this test as soon as the rain lets up (it's pouring on us quite nicely at present . As to the mosquito remark... Perhaps I could get a job at Vector Control

Mechelement,
I will give the GPR a good lookover when I get there... I haven't noticed any smoke on startup unless I have had to crank it over more than 3 or 4 times to fire it up.

CPUNeck,
No, I imagine they haven't disconnected their glow plugs. I think you have a very valid point. Thanks.

Torquemeister,
I haven't had a chance yet. I appreciate your post, If I'm really having a hard time starting, and could be late for work your post could definately save the day!

Onelionhunger,
The truck is actually a Tennisee truck, bought in Florida used with 62k on the clock. I still don't have a good code reader yet. I'm hoping to discover a good composite reader that uses a dongle and my laptop to the OBD connecter.

Thank you guys for so much amazing support! I'll keep you posted on progress

 

Pic of the GPR.

 

Didn't see that anyone answered your question as to what the GPR was. IT is a glow plug relay. The post before mine shows a great pic of it. One thing you might want to consider is the glow plug light mod. It installs a LED in the cab to show you when the plugs are running. It will show you how when they are running (even if people don't think they use them). It can also help you solve GPR problems in the future if you have them. The others guys have you going in the right direction as to solving the problem.

I just checked my GPR and plugs a couple months ago and it isn't hard to do. Let us know if you have anymore ?s about it.