Steven Sochalski
Registered User
It's a 1990 7.3 idi. I replaced glow plugs with motorcraft beru and the connectors this summer after discovering they were non oem.
As the nights got cooler 50°, in the morning it took 5-10 seconds to start. The wait to start was about 10 seconds cold and quick hot
In the morning had been starting it, driving about 500 ft to the barn, shutting it off, feeding horses, starting it and driving it to the house and eating breakfast.
I ended up draining the batteries low that it was cranking slow. I wasn't letting it run enough to charge the batteries, just taking power from it to start the motor. I charged them back up with a battery charger and had the Batteries and alternator tested. They are good. They are also the proper amperage required.
I have the supplimental diesel book for the repair manual. The resistance for all the glow plugs are within spec. I pulled each connector and tested for continuity to the controller and it was good. The resistance to ground was a little higher than spec, so I pulled the ground and cleaned any corrosion and used some dielectric grease. I also pulled the power supply wires from the solenoid on the passenger side fender wall. I cleaned up and greased all the connections there. I pulled the battery wires and cleaned them and posts on both sides and used dielectric as well.
The final test was a test light from the controller to a ground. I turned the ignition and watched both. The wait to start was about 10 seconds, the test light was about 20. The controller is sending power to the plugs as confirmed by the 20 seconds. The relay is clicking appropriately when first turning the key.
We've had temps in the 30s now and it's taking 2 cycles of the plugs to start. Last night I plugged the block heater in. It was 30 this morning. The truck started in 1 second. This confirms that it's something in the glow plug system.
What is my next step? Is there something I'm omitting? I'm guessing it's buying a expensive controller or bypassing and doing a push button for the plugs.
As the nights got cooler 50°, in the morning it took 5-10 seconds to start. The wait to start was about 10 seconds cold and quick hot
In the morning had been starting it, driving about 500 ft to the barn, shutting it off, feeding horses, starting it and driving it to the house and eating breakfast.
I ended up draining the batteries low that it was cranking slow. I wasn't letting it run enough to charge the batteries, just taking power from it to start the motor. I charged them back up with a battery charger and had the Batteries and alternator tested. They are good. They are also the proper amperage required.
I have the supplimental diesel book for the repair manual. The resistance for all the glow plugs are within spec. I pulled each connector and tested for continuity to the controller and it was good. The resistance to ground was a little higher than spec, so I pulled the ground and cleaned any corrosion and used some dielectric grease. I also pulled the power supply wires from the solenoid on the passenger side fender wall. I cleaned up and greased all the connections there. I pulled the battery wires and cleaned them and posts on both sides and used dielectric as well.
The final test was a test light from the controller to a ground. I turned the ignition and watched both. The wait to start was about 10 seconds, the test light was about 20. The controller is sending power to the plugs as confirmed by the 20 seconds. The relay is clicking appropriately when first turning the key.
We've had temps in the 30s now and it's taking 2 cycles of the plugs to start. Last night I plugged the block heater in. It was 30 this morning. The truck started in 1 second. This confirms that it's something in the glow plug system.
What is my next step? Is there something I'm omitting? I'm guessing it's buying a expensive controller or bypassing and doing a push button for the plugs.