Lost power, truck still runs/drives

[ToeMater]

Hate for my 1st post to be about problems but oh well. Hopefully can fix it soon. Truck is an early 99 7.3 f250 6spd 2wd crew. No codes when scanned. Either glow plug relay or controller is dead, will start when plugged in (on the list of things to do). Once get started, it runs and drives but is running at like 50% of its normal power. Idles normal. Previous owner thinks it is the computer but no codes are thrown; I am unsure about a new computer as the truck starts, runs, and drives just with less power than normal. Thoughts? Thanks.

[TurboSevenThree]

Is the turbo spinning?

[ToeMater]

It spools, I can get some power on full load higher up in the rpms. I was just thinking it seems a lot like the wastegate being stuck open, will try things in the morning.

[ToeMater]

Update: took a bike pump to wastegate, it opens under pressure. Went for a quick ride, can start to hear boost at around 1700 rpms. Is it normal for the wg to wear out or can a malfunction of the sensor which the wg line goes to cause a lack of boost low down? Thanks again

[WillyT812]

I posted a little earlier about my lessons learned changing out my injectors. Once I put everything back together I didn't tighten down one of the intercooler tubes at the front of the truck. On my initial test drive I heard what sounded like the turbo waste gate dumping my boost. The truck ran smooth but had no power. Once I discovered my loose intercooler, tightened it up, the turbo came to life and all my power was back. It's just a suggestion based on my experience but check those intercooler tubes, there are four rubber boots and eight clamps.

[ToeMater]

Originally Posted by WillyT812

I posted a little earlier about my lessons learned changing out my injectors. Once I put everything back together I didn't tighten down one of the intercooler tubes at the front of the truck. On my initial test drive I heard what sounded like the turbo waste gate dumping my boost. The truck ran smooth but had no power. Once I discovered my loose intercooler, tightened it up, the turbo came to life and all my power was back. It's just a suggestion based on my experience but check those intercooler tubes, there are four rubber boots and eight clamps.

Thanks, I am going to look into that in a little while; anything is worth a shot however I don't hear any boost being built down in the low rpms.

Couple other things to note: I had used a basic code scanner and pulled nothing when I said no codes, in further reading it appears that a snap on or some sort of more advanced scanner is needed to read codes on these. Previous owner states a bum computer is the cause of running at 50% power, is this possible? I thought if the computer was junk, it would either run or not run... It is a California truck with glow plug control module, would a bad pcm keep this system from operating?

Since my last posting, I have also checked the turbo, it spins freely without any shaftplay; no oil leaks of concern

[ToeMater]

Update: Unplugged wastegate line, a bunch more noticeable boost built but still down on power. Found a small leak at a loose boot but still power not fully there. Kind of stumped at this point, perhaps it really is the PCM.

Current symptoms: Sluggish, seems like not getting enough fuel and running at like 50-60%. Glow plugs are not warming, have to plug in to start. I'm inclined to think its something electronic at this point, could a faulty PCM allow the truck to run but run with less power and not activate the glow plug system? Wait to start light comes on, I think it may actually be a 49 state truck... Thanks.