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Old 11-20-2022, 07:03 AM   #15
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Good batteries are important as well, if one of the 2 is not up to par it will make it difficult to start as well.
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Old 11-20-2022, 08:31 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by Roger45 View Post
Thanks again. I checked the dome light this evening and it doesn't dim when I turn the key to run as the GP are warming. My 7.3 Power Stroke take up to 45 seconds for my GP to warm, and I have tried re warming them up to 10 times before getting my truck to start. Last winter, below zero, I couldn't ever get it started without completely draining my batteries.

I think I will change out the relay as the new Stancor is only $60 and is a simple thing to do. After the new year when I'm off the North Slope and have the time, I think I might change out the GPs as well.
Before changing out parts for nothing, either perform some testing or pay someone to do that. Amperage draw on glow plugs typically average 18A to 20A each at the 10 second mark. I'd verify that against a new plug or at least a known good one on the truck. Add up that amperage times 8 for a total draw. Check amperage draw with a precise ammeter.

It's pretty easy to check if the plugs power up with a simple test light.
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Old 11-23-2022, 09:44 AM   #17
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A 1999 Ford truck with the 7.3 Power Stroke is the last truck that is easy to fix for a DIY'er. I would throw and wrench and extra parts in the truck and forget about it.

Also follow the manual and idiot lights on the dash. I think all 1999 power stroke trucks will act the way yours does. They are all hard to start in the cold. My friend would use his to plow snow. If it didn't start he used the skid steer to plow. He was mechanically inclined and if he could not get the truck started he was not surprised.
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Old 11-23-2022, 11:22 AM   #18
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A 1999 Ford truck with the 7.3 Power Stroke is the last truck that is easy to fix for a DIY'er. I would throw and wrench and extra parts in the truck and forget about it.

Also follow the manual and idiot lights on the dash. I think all 1999 power stroke trucks will act the way yours does. They are all hard to start in the cold. My friend would use his to plow snow. If it didn't start he used the skid steer to plow. He was mechanically inclined and if he could not get the truck started he was not surprised.
Well, the last Ford truck, anyhow until they came out with the 6.0. My recollection from my 1996 and 2001 PSD's is that they were much harder to start than my Cummins' trucks; guess the grid heater was better than the glow plugs used back then.

I was shocked when I discovered that my new 6.7PSD doesn't even have a "wait to start". ....I guess glow plugs have come a long ways in the last 20 years as apparently they can reach 1500 deg in a second or so.


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Old 11-23-2022, 01:23 PM   #19
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For what's it worth, your mileage will vary.

My project trk:
97 F350 XL std cab, zf5, 4wd, 3.55s & rebuilt 9.18
2 Donaldsons, 3" dp, ACs, T500, HV LPOP, ARP studs, welded cam gear, crank gear, oil pickup tube & oil nozzels, Hydra/AA, DIY 60 gl tank w/6 gl sump, eFuel/Cat filters, Aeromotive RR, Auber instrument, KC S300 63/70/.84, bellowed upies, 6.0 aluminum IC & fan, 3" plenums w/inserts, SB 425HD, DIY high steer & Blue Top box

You can test the glow plugs through the valve cover gasket connectors using a multimeter. Doesn't take long at all. Do a youtube.
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Old 11-23-2022, 01:50 PM   #20
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Try jumpering across the glow plug relay to see if it is working.
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Old 11-23-2022, 02:04 PM   #21
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Try jumpering across the glow plug relay to see if it is working.
It doesn't work that way, it uses a ground signal from the PCM to energize. If you jumper across it the GPs will energize even if the relay is bad. Best way is to hook test lamp to GP side and switch key on and see if test lamp lights, and to monitor current to verify GPs are drawing.
The OEM relay is a known weakness and even if it closes it does not always allow enough current to pass. Most have gone to the more robust Stancor as I mentioned earlier. 13 years on my Stancor and no issues whatsoever. It's one of the best pre-emptive improvements a 7.3 owner can make.
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Old 11-23-2022, 02:19 PM   #22
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when the one in my 2000 F350 failed and it was 18 below, I jumpered across it and got the truck started. I forget what I replaced it with a good 15 yrs ago, but it does still work.
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Old 11-24-2022, 04:21 AM   #23
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I’ce had 6 different PS between ‘95-‘97. All bought new. I never had a problem with them starting in cold weather down to -5*.

Sometimes they would sit for up to 10 days while elk hunting. When camping in the woods you can’t just plug the BH into the nearest tree.

Wish i had everyone of them back[emoji17]
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Old 11-24-2022, 01:04 PM   #24
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Well, the last Ford truck, anyhow until they came out with the 6.0. My recollection from my 1996 and 2001 PSD's is that they were much harder to start than my Cummins' trucks; guess the grid heater was better than the glow plugs used back then.

I was shocked when I discovered that my new 6.7PSD doesn't even have a "wait to start". ....I guess glow plugs have come a long ways in the last 20 years as apparently they can reach 1500 deg in a second or so.


Dave
6.0 is the last one you can do alot with cab on. the 7.3 is simpler, but doesnt have the computer diagnostics the 6.0 does, so you have to actually be able to diagnose without the help of a computer.

my 6.7 cummins work truck has a grid heater, and it has a wait to start but i have no idea what its doing while its lit since they dont have glowplugs. my old backhoe has a diesel torch arrangement in the intake to heat the intake air. its kind of neat.
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Old 11-24-2022, 01:41 PM   #25
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the 7.3 is simpler, but doesnt have the computer diagnostics the 6.0 does, so you have to actually be able to diagnose without the help of a computer.
I'm not sure what you mean by this, everything that communicates with the PCM is accessible from the OBD port (99-03). The glow plug system (except Excursion and California trucks which have a GPCM) is controlled by a simple relay but the PCM tells it when to energize. When I connect to my 2002 I can access something like 486 different sensors throughout the vehicle and perform all kinds of self tests and even make some calibrations. It's not CAN BUS like the 6.0 but it works.
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Old 11-25-2022, 03:55 AM   #26
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I'm not sure what you mean by this, everything that communicates with the PCM is accessible from the OBD port (99-03). The glow plug system (except Excursion and California trucks which have a GPCM) is controlled by a simple relay but the PCM tells it when to energize. When I connect to my 2002 I can access something like 486 different sensors throughout the vehicle and perform all kinds of self tests and even make some calibrations. It's not CAN BUS like the 6.0 but it works.
newer vehicles do a way "better" job of telling you whats wrong with them is all.
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Old 11-29-2022, 09:52 AM   #27
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Not sure this would work on your truck but this looks like an easy way to test glow plugs. I would try this to see if any of your glow plugs light up.

https://youtube.com/shorts/9STg9xi-k3s?feature=share
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Old 11-29-2022, 11:44 AM   #28
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I have had great luck with my 7.3 Powerstroke F35 towing my 5er her is Alaska and plan on keeping it a long time. I am just curious, at what time do folks change the Glow Plugs? I have heard everywhere from 20K to 50K and all the way to not bothering to change them until they fail, which can be over 150K. Also, I have heard that when they put a code reader, glow plugs that are bad don't necessarily read bad, is that true? Thanks for any input
Check out some of the Ford diesel forums like...
powerstroke.org
thedieselstop.com
ford-truck.com
....others.....

Some members are actual Ford diesel line techs who specialize in just Ford diesels....or just a member who had the same problem and what the fix is.
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