No wts light hard start then wts light easy start

[Surfnfisher]

Hello all, I have a 92 e350.
Been having an issue. When I go to start my van no wts light and a hard start lots of smoke, like an airleak. Controller clicking.
After van starts I turn it off and when I turn it back on wts light is on for 8 seconds and van starts rite up. Still clicking.
All glow plugs test good and are newer within 1000 miles and controller is same. Good glow plugs not auto lites. I do have one plug wire that has a bullet connector that stays on plug tip but not super tight maybe that could be the culprit?
Let me know what y’all think Thanks

 

[The_Josh_Bear]

I cant explain the WTS light, but try cycling the first time for 10 seconds, turn the key OFF, and cycle the plugs again. Then see if it starts better. This is a simple double-cycle and wont hurt BERU gp's.

 

[Cubey]

The glow plug relay might be getting weak. Cranking it over might be shocking it enough to make it work. Mine did that when it was failing. Sometimes I'd have to hit it with the plastic handle of a screwdriver to get it working. I finally replaced it. I have a 6.9 with the 7.3 controller, with the relay on top. You can buy just the relay without buying the whole controller. It's just 2 nuts to unbolt it from the controller and 4 nuts for the wires. Super easy, especially on a van. Hardest part is removing the dog house cover.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/...00756/1987/ford/f-250?q=Glow+Plug+Relay&pos=0

 

[Surfnfisher]

Thanks,
Is there a way to test the relay or controller?

 

[Surfnfisher]

Thanks, is there a way to test the relay/controller?

 

[Cubey]

Thanks, is there a way to test the relay/controller?

For the relay, not really if its just getting weak. It would occasionally not work until I hit it with something, then it might be fine for days, weeks or even months.

I bought a new relay in late spring but only put it on a few weeks ago when it began being a problem regularly again. Maybe it was the colder temps. It was fine all summer except maybe once or twice, I can't remember. No problems since I put in the new one despite cold temps.

 

[Clb]

Sounds like either a temp sensor, or the glow plug controller...
Try dead cold...
Jump the hot lead, for 10 seconds.
Try and fire it.
Start rightup?
Electric issue

 

[MR.T]

<snip>When I go to start my van no wts light and a hard start lots of smoke, like an airleak. Controller clicking. After van starts I turn it off and when I turn it back on wts light is on for 8 seconds and van starts rite up. Still clicking. All glow plugs test good and are newer within 1000 miles and controller is same. </snip>

It sounds like the GPC is malfunctioning even though it's new. There's a ground wire from the GPC that's worth checking to make sure it's a clean solid connection.

 

[MrStretch]

I have this same issue. Brand new Beru plugs today and a new GP controller. Wts Light only stays on for a second or less. Relay on GP controller clicks over and over. I will check the ground tomorrow.

 

[franklin2]

One loose glowplug connection can cause all the problems listed above. The glowplug controller glow time is controlled by the current draw of the glowplugs themselves. If you have one bad glowplug or one poor connection to a glowplug, that will affect the current draw through the controller.

As the engine warms up, the resistance of the glowplugs goes up, so they draw less current. The controller monitors this, and that is how it knows how long to glow the plugs. Longer on a cold engine, shorter on a warm engine. If there is some resistance in a poor connection or connections on the glowplugs, or one or more glowplugs are bad, the current flowing through the controller is less, it thinks the engine is warm and short cycles the plugs. On a cold engine of course, it will not start.