Glow plugs?
 

Saw in another thread where you need to wait for the glow plug light before starting a 6.7. I just bought mine in July and am new to the Powerstroke platform. When I was checking out the truck to purchase, it was dead cold (had not been started that day) and the first time I started it was with the factory auto start. There was no delay before cranking, and there never has been when firing it up with the auto start so I've never waited for the old glow plug light to go out when key starting it. Seems in this modern era we should have an auto delay if it needs to wait, but maybe it's just because I haven't been in cold temps yet. So, my question is did Ford do the obviously necessary thing and program in a delay when needed when starting with the factory auto start? If not, the thing would be kind of useless in the cold where us Alaskans really love to use our auto starts. Also, if the programmed in a delay with the auto start to wait for the glow plugs, why not program it in when starting with the key?? Am I missing something here?

Remote start is designed to delay, it is perfectly safe to use it (unless for some reason it's failing to start). Maybe in your AK winter the glow plug light may remain on for a second or two longer than normal but I've never seen the light on longer than the rest of the dash lights even down to 8°F.
Waiting for the light (because it's already off) isn't necessary in most of our states. If it is too cold, you will receive a message on the dash after starting to wait for 30 seconds before proceeding.
Ford does recommend plugging in the block heater colder than -10°F.

There are several here living in cold areas so hopefully they'll post what they've experienced.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...16a196b05f.jpg

Thanks, was wondering why I never noticed the delay with auto start or the glow plug light when I just twist the key.

I wait for the gauges to sweep and then start. Glow plugs have been ready by then. I use those few seconds to get situated. Or just remote start it as I'm walking to the truck, which is typically what I do because it's hot outside!

You can start it right away during the warmer months. It does not matter.

When much colder you would certainly wait until the plugs go out. But even then it would be fine.

Of course it's summertime here but to date I've not yet seen the glow-plug light / unlike my previous 2014 6.7.

I have that automatic seat deal where the seat goes back when you shut the truck off and when you put the key in the seat automatically moves to your driving position. I usually wait until the seat stops moving. I do this year round - this way I'm in the habit of doing it. I've always wondered if the remote start waits for the glow plugs heat up. Other than using the remote start when sitting in the truck or standing outside the door watching the instrument panel I'm not sure how you would know if there is a delay or not.

If remote start i figure that the truck knows what it's doing. Never gave it much thought. I have by accident just hit the switch and the truck started but most of the time i wait till the light goes out. It never gets cold here in NORCAL.

I notice a bit of a delay during a remote start, maybe 2-3 seconds. If this delay is for glow plug or other sensors to report back to the PCM I don't know. Do the newer trucks turn the starter as soon as you press the 2x button?

It's my understanding modern glow plugs are instant and don't require time to warm up with the exception of extreme cold.

2017+ Lariat and above have push button start now anyways so the only option is to allow the programming to handle things.

https://ford.oemdtc.com/2043/using-t...50-f-450-f-550

After reading the attached, I wonder how many times this has has caused complaints or confusion. :)

Push button start is NICE. Glow plugs? What glow plugs? :) Yes, I could be that ignorant about it. But I'm not. On cold days mine does pause for up to a couple seconds before the engine starts. So there's your auto delay. Ford is trying to idiot-proof the 6.7L. But I'm going my best to be a better idiot.