7.3 idi HARD cold start

[prepowerstroke]

my dads truck(1990 f250 7.3 idi) has been getting hard to start too... no return line leaks. it has new glow plugs new harness and a new controller, and cranks prob 90 seconds before it starts(stopping every 30 seconds to not hurt new starter) and when it starts it runs really rough and pours out white smoke then idle smooths out after running a while.... what you guys think?

 

[90ididoorguy]

Something is not right with the gps

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

glow plug related. what plugs did you put in there?

 

[prepowerstroke]

we put motocraft plugs in it we got the harrness and controller fromthe u-haul shop on ebay

 

[90ididoorguy]

Glow plug solenoid might be bad

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

check this out for diag info.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1110673-no-click-from-glow-plugs.html

 

[CDX825]

Try plugging in the block heater for a couple of hours and see if it starts then. If it starts up without a problem then you probably have a glow plug problem. If not you might have air in the fuel lines.

 

[prepowerstroke]

Try plugging in the block heater for a couple of hours and see if it starts then. If it starts up without a problem then you probably have a glow plug problem. If not you might have air in the fuel lines.

we tryed this and it starts right up... but we used to be able to start it at about 16 degreeand it fire right up, now has a hard time starting at 50 degrees

 

['94IDITurbo7.3]

still sounds like glow plugs. when i got my truck it had 4 bad plugs and had a HARD time starting in anything below 50* without the block heater.

 

[ah1988ford]

take a multimeter and see if you have continuity between the glow plug and the engine block, you will of curse have to take the little plug off the top to do this. This is how I found several bad ones in mine. Make sure the harness is good and you are getting power to the gp's

 

[prepowerstroke]

the harness is new but idk..

 

[Jbevs]

It sure sounds like the glow plugs to me. I spend a few months trying to track down my gp problem. First I bypassed the connecter that carries the heavy current to the contactor. Then I replaced the controller. Then I replaced all the gp's even though they all tested good. Then I put in a new harness. I finally found the ring terminal on the 2 heavy wires carrying current in to the contactor (controller) was bad. It showed hot most all the time, but wouldn't supply the necessary power. I stripped the wires, put on a new terminal and it has been great.

Start by testing all of your glow plugs. How long does your WTS light stay on?

EDIT: I just saw all your gp's are new as are most components of the system. I would run BRAND NEW wires from the fender mounted solenoid to the constant hot terminal on the contactor (relay looking thing on top of the controller). The new wires would replace the (2) heavy power wires that supply power to the entire gp system. These wires carry so much power, they were undersized from the factory and are a known problem area, specifically the first plastic connector mounted on the passenger wheel well if you traced the wires back from the contactor.

 

[yARIC008]

A bad ground on the controller would also screw up the glow plug cycle. Basically, check all your connections and/or just make new connections on everything and you'll probably be good to go. If you don't feel like screwing with all of that you could do like some of us have done and just rig up a manual button to control them. I've had the manual button now for about 8 years and still haven't burned out a glow plug yet and it fires up great still.

 

[sandrow]

I have had glow plugs that I bought new yet barely worked. You could also have cracked wiring which will bleed off power to the plugs check your grounds and as was mentioned earlier check the continuity. I once had to replace my starter twice in a month the under side of the harness had cracks all through it yet it wasn't visible from the top on the top it looked brand new.

 

[prepowerstroke]

well i'll check the terminals here in the next couple days(dad drives it to work every day) and i get back to you guys and tell ya what was wrong, if we find out so if yall have the same prob you will kno where to look