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random starting problem with my 7.3L

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Old Feb 24, 2010 | 11:54 PM
  #1  
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random starting problem with my 7.3L

I live in central Alberta, canada.
I have a 2000 F250 Superduty for some reason if I let it sit it won't start.Other times it will run fine. starts right up.
just sometimes it does this. If I put jumper cables on it then it will start every time. The batteries are 2 years old.
It cranks over until the two batteries will die but won't start? Originally I thought maybe my battery cables were loose so i tightened them all as one was a little loose. Still problem persists.
I am new to diesels but am mechanically inclined.
Anyone have any ideas or had this problem?
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 12:03 AM
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Check to make sure that your voltage is above 10v while cranking. You may need to clean your terminals on your batteries. I was having a random connectivity issue on one of my terminals and fixed it with replacement terminals and cleaning the cables. Also you need to have your batteries checked to be sure you don't have any dead cells and if you have been starting the truck off of one battery then that battery is more worn then the other battery and it may be a good idea to replace them but if they both test good then you may be able to skip battery replacement. But it sounds to me as if you're not getting all your CCAs.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 05:58 AM
  #3  
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GPR going out?
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 07:02 AM
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What is GPR?
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 07:07 AM
  #5  
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GPR is your Glow Plug Relay.

Like Vissorth said make sure that you have a minimum of 10.5 volts when cranking this is what the IDM ( Injector Driver Module) needs to see in order to fire the injectors.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 07:11 AM
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The glow plug was replaced last year. How do you check it?
I am going to try hooking the jumper cables up before I start it. If it starts without a problem I will take it I need new batteries.
Any recommendations on a good battery out there? I was considering gell cell batteries.
 
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Old Feb 25, 2010 | 07:14 AM
  #7  
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Personal preference is avoid Walmart batteries, some have good lock, others have them swell, freeze or just simply die but the more CCAs the better. I'm running the napa brand batteries at 750 CCA each and I haven't had a problem all winter, just picked them up last fall.
 
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Old Feb 26, 2010 | 12:13 AM
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Took it in to get the batteries tested both tested good. Cleaned up the posts and all connections seems to have fixed problem.
I will keep an eye on it though.
Thanks everyone for the info.
 
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Old Feb 27, 2010 | 12:45 AM
  #9  
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no problem but if the problem starts to return again then replace the terminals on the wires. That's what I did to resolve my issues and congrats on the still good batteries.
 
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