No start cold

[Christopher Cline]

92 7.3 idi wont start cold, I’m not getting any current out of my glow plug connections. Jumped the controller and it didn’t even spark, checked wire from battery to controller and there’s plenty of power just somehow it’s not going passed that. Even wired up a switch all it does is click once when pushed and that’s it. Not drawing any power either. Just to double check I pulled a wire off a plug and grounded it to see if it would spark and nothing. I also think I have a fuel issue because while I’m cranking there is no smoke coming from exhaust. Only thing I get is a little from the intake after I’m done cranking it. Plugged it in for a few hrs wouldn’t start. Cranked for a full battery depletion. Waited about 5 minutes gave it another go would fire instantly. It’s just not making sense to me. Is it a fuel issue? Could the plugs be related to a safety switch of some sort?

 

[nostrokes]

Sounds like you have 2 issues.

1 air intrusion in to the fuel system.

2 dead glow plugs controller.

I'd start with the fuel system first. May be bleeding down when it sits for a while. Any of the return caps leaking? See any fuel leaking anywhere?

Glow plugs controller.. well I don't know how to test it, but I'm sure any sparky will chime in soon..

 

[IDIBRONCO]

I wonder if the yellow wires in the engine wining plug on the passenger's fender are bad? It's worth a look.

 

[Christopher Cline]

Sounds like you have 2 issues.

1 air intrusion in to the fuel system.

2 dead glow plugs controller.

I'd start with the fuel system first. May be bleeding down when it sits for a while. Any of the return caps leaking? See any fuel leaking anywhere?

Glow plugs controller.. well I don't know how to test it, but I'm sure any sparky will chime in soon..

Yes I have fuel seepage on a few injectors. Which is weird I just replace all the injectors, caps, and return lines. And I pulled the glow plugs today and 7 had holes burnt in them and one was very swollen. Hopefully some new plugs cures that half of the issue. How do I stop the fuel seepage/ air intrusion ?

Thanks for the fast reply btw

 

[nostrokes]

If it's coming from the line side you may be able to rotate the clamp a little and get it to seal. If it won't seal you'll have to pull it all apart and start over unfortunately.


If it's coming from the o-rings then you'll have to replace them. They are easy to cut/roll when you pop the cap back on. I used a little dish soap to lube mine up before putting the cap on and haven't had an issue in 3 years.

 

[Christopher Cline]

So here’s what I’ve done. It ended up being a starter, E pump and all new glow plugs zd9s of course. Now I’m fight white smoke. But only some times. I haze at idle. Very very light haze but when I romp on it after cruising around down it will have a good solid cloud of white grey black smoke. If I let it eat for like 2 or 3 years it cleans way up and won’t smoke anything but a light puff of black when I take off. After about another 20 minutes of driving around town it will smoke again. Any ideas?

 

[Cubey]

Sounds like you have 2 issues.

1 air intrusion in to the fuel system.

2 dead glow plugs controller.

I'd start with the fuel system first. May be bleeding down when it sits for a while. Any of the return caps leaking? See any fuel leaking anywhere?

Glow plugs controller.. well I don't know how to test it, but I'm sure any sparky will chime in soon..

Also... if you have a mechanical lift pump still, check the short rubber hose that is clamped on down there. Mine was letting air in from a bad hose at first, and then loose/bad clamp after the hose was replaced. That was the last thing I touched a couple months ago, and it's been fine since, so I know that was the problem. I had already done the return lines. Now it can sit for a week and it still starts fine. Before, it would just sit overnight, but stall after a short time when started in the morning, on some mornings.

If you put your glow plugs to a manual push button, where they can't come on, a 2-3 quick sprays of starting fluid might help. (Use it sparingly and don't allow your glow plugs to come on! Seriously.) I had to do that on my F250 when it was having air intrusion and/or glow plug issues in very cold mornings this past winter. Thankfully I was at a Walmart overnight where I was able to go get a cheap can of it without hassle.

If your block heater cord isn't rotten to hell, try plugging it in for an hour before you try to start it. If it starts fine, it's probably a glow plug issue, not fuel. The cord will be rotten to hell by now if it's original, so replace it first, if need be.

 

[nostrokes]

So here’s what I’ve done. It ended up being a starter, E pump and all new glow plugs zd9s of course. Now I’m fight white smoke. But only some times. I haze at idle. Very very light haze but when I romp on it after cruising around down it will have a good solid cloud of white grey black smoke. If I let it eat for like 2 or 3 years it cleans way up and won’t smoke anything but a light puff of black when I take off. After about another 20 minutes of driving around town it will smoke again. Any ideas?

Timing it may be off a little.