Help! Truck wont start w/o plugging it in!

[davedpanda]

ok, I have a 1995 F250 with the 7.3 Powerstroke (early 95). It's been a great truck but this winter I started having cold starting issues. I live in the Pacific Northwest and it hasn't been all that cold with lows in the high 30's/ low 40's. The truck will not start unless I use the block heater for about an hour or so and when it does fire up, it blows a lot of white smoke. Other than that, it runs and drives great.

I've been looking around this forum for a few days and let me give you a bit of backround info:

Starter and batteries are new as of 6 months ago. WHen I turn the key to the "on" position, I hear the glow plug relay 'click' and the WTS light comes on for about 6 seconds. If I try to start it cold, it will crank over just fine, but it will not fire. I think it's the glow plugs but I dont want to buy new ones just to have the same problem so I'm hoping someone out there might have some ideas.

Other info about the truck - its a super cab long bed, 175,xxx miles, 2wd and I had replaced the ICP and IPR about a year ago when I had the high pressure fuel lines fail. Other than that, it's stock/original. I have to park the truck a bit from my house so I'm having to run a 100' cord everyday just to get it running and a few of my neighbors have been complaining about the 'trip hazard' the extension cord is causing.

If it is the glow plugs, do I need special tools to remove/ replace them?
Thanks for looking!

[dhanna6powerstroke]

The glow plug relay is probably bad. If it is getting power when the key is turned on, it will click but that doesn't mean that the power is going across the relay.

[davedpanda]

I just read a thread about how to test the GPR and GP vis the harness so I'm going to try that later today with my multimeter. If the GPR checks out, could the glow plugs cause this?

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by davedpanda

I just read a thread about how to test the GPR and GP vis the harness so I'm going to try that later today with my multimeter. If the GPR checks out, could the glow plugs cause this?

Yes, the glow plugs can cause the issue. They can be checked also but I'm not sure what the OHM rating is.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Check this out. Will tell you how to check the glow plugs if needed.
Cold Weather? Hard Starts? - GLOW PLUG SYSTEM TEST - PowerStrokeNation

[davedpanda]

ok. Relay checks out as far as power to both big terminals when the key is 'on' and the glow plugs - well most read good (between 1.1ohms and 1.8ohms) but #1 GP shows 'open' and #6 is reading 6.4 ohms. Would having 2 GPs bad cause this? I would think that the other 6 would be enough to fire it up. it hasnt dropped below 40 for 2 days and it won't fire without the damn block heater. this thing would fire up when it was single digits last winter with no block heater..... very frustrating! and I can't find a parts place with the relay in my area so I'm going to have to order it with a new set of glow plugs. They're not as pricey as I was expecting so I'm just going to replace it all.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by davedpanda

ok. Relay checks out as far as power to both big terminals when the key is 'on' and the glow plugs - well most read good (between 1.1ohms and 1.8ohms) but #1 GP shows 'open' and #6 is reading 6.4 ohms. Would having 2 GPs bad cause this? I would think that the other 6 would be enough to fire it up. it hasnt dropped below 40 for 2 days and it won't fire without the damn block heater. this thing would fire up when it was single digits last winter with no block heater..... very frustrating! and I can't find a parts place with the relay in my area so I'm going to have to order it with a new set of glow plugs. They're not as pricey as I was expecting so I'm just going to replace it all.

How long does the relay stay energized? Check this site out.
7.3 Liter Turbo Diesel Glow Plugs - Ford 7.3 Liter Turbo Diesel Motorcraft Glow Plug - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks
[Dy-861] Motorcraft Glow Plug Relay(DY861 - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks

[davedpanda]

I'm not sure how long it stays energized. I had my son turning the key while i was under the hood with my meter. I appreciate all the info and help! I just ordered the parts from the link you gave me. I'll let you know how it turns out.

[dhanna6powerstroke]

Originally Posted by davedpanda

I'm not sure how long it stays energized. I had my son turning the key while i was under the hood with my meter. I appreciate all the info and help! I just ordered the parts from the link you gave me. I'll let you know how it turns out.

You need to time it. It should stay on for at least 45 seconds to a minute.

[davedpanda]

You know your stuff! I rigged a test light in the load side of the GPR so I can see it from the cab. the GPR was only staying on for anywhere from 2 to 10 seconds. sometimes not at all. Found a local shop that has one in stock, about $70. Thankfully I was able to cancel my order online in time. I can't thank you and this forum enough for all the help!