97 PSD hard start unless

[jnyost]

I have a 97 PSD and when it is colder than 40 degess it will start or fire after I let the light go out but then lopes and dies. Sometimes it will start and run if I hold the throttle down. I have to let it warm up for 5 minutes before I take off down the road. If I do not let it warm up it will run and act like it is running out of fuel.

Any comments before I take it to the shop?

Thanks, Jim

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by jnyost

I have a 97 PSD and when it is colder than 40 degess it will start or fire after I let the light go out but then lopes and dies. Sometimes it will start and run if I hold the throttle down. I have to let it warm up for 5 minutes before I take off down the road. If I do not let it warm up it will run and act like it is running out of fuel.

Any comments before I take it to the shop?

Thanks, Jim

First off when was your last oil change, what is the oil level. Have you ever replaced the cam positioning sensor on this truck. Can you check the voltage at the glow plug relay. Do you have a block heater on this truck how does it act if you plug it at least 3 hours before you start it. Does it act the same as it does if you do not plug it in.

[WEWILLE]

It could be something with the glow plug system. The PCM uses the Engine Oil Temperature (EOT) sensor and Barometric Pressure (BARO) sensor to determine how long the glow plugs will be on. It then turns on the relay energizing the plugs.

[jnyost]

Thanks for replying. Oil change was 3100 miles ago. I usally change 3 to4K. Curios why you ask that? Oil level ok. Never change the cam senser. Block htr on the trk but never tried that. I will tonight.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by jnyost

Thanks for replying. Oil change was 3100 miles ago. I usally change 3 to4K. Curios why you ask that? Oil level ok. Never change the cam senser. Block htr on the trk but never tried that. I will tonight.

I ask about the oil change because as oil becomes used it tends to sludge up especially when it is cold outside and then becomes thick and causes the hpop to work hard to build oil pressure. There for if it is unable to maintain correct oil pressure then the engine dies. I have had trucks that run like crap and then the owner does an oil change and the truck runs great. But you should be fine if you do it every 3 to 4 thousand miles.

If it starts easy when you plug it in then it is most likely your glowplug relay gone bad you can test this with a volt meter.