I would also plug it in and see if that helps your hard start.
Okay. Gonna jump in here, if I may.
My '86 F-250 has the 6.9, with a Banks Sidewinder that was installed after the engine was rebuilt by the previous owner.
Let me confess at the outset that I'm not a gearhead, especially where diesels are concerned, but I do love my truck, and want to learn more about it. So, please, forgive my ignorance.
Started having starting issues earlier this year, and I ended up plugging in the block heater every night while I tried to muddle through the problem.
I thought I understood that the 6.9 needs glowplugs pretty much all the time, at least for the first start of the day. So, when my "wait to start" dashlight failed to come on at all, I plugged him up every evening. And, continued to do so until this week.
Well, when I went out about two hours ago to plug it up, I decided on impulse to give him a try. Turned key, cranked for about a three-count, let it go. On third try, I had decided that it wasn't gonna happen. Fourth try, he catches like he's brand new. No runaway, no worries, no problems.
Uh-oh. Now what?
So, as a science experiment, I've decided to leave him unplugged for tonight, as I might be using him in the morning, and want to see if he'll come to life after a night's sleep.
So, I suppose that the help what I'm looking for is the same as the OP.
I have looked at some other posts on here and a couple other forums, and have seen that the main connector has a tendency to melt inside. So, it is my intention to check that connection first, and possibly bypass it and splice the heavy orange wires feeding (presumably) the controller, to see if that makes a difference.
At this juncture, does it sound like I'm on the correct path, or am I wandering aimlessly in the wilderness?
Gonna mark this thread, so I can come back to it after supper. Wife's birthday, so we're doing dinner in.
Thanks for allowing me to jump in. And, in advance, for any help.