Absolutely will not start unless plugged in

[RickyVaughn33]

I have a 2001 f250 that won't start unless I have it plugged in for an extended period of time. It seems that if I let it sit for a day it may start, but anything longer than that I have to plug it in. It's not even that cold out (20 degrees). I have new glow plugs, GPR, starter, and batteries. I have noticed that while it is cranking the rpm gauge does move, but the oil gauge doesn't move until its running. Any help here would be greatly appreciated because most of the time I don't have access to an outlet.

[Wannabitawerm]

Have you had it checked for worn injectors?


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[RickyVaughn33]

Yes, all of my injectors have been checked. The truck doesn't really smoke when started either.

[kraker829]

What oil are you running?

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[HVAC SuperTech]

When you turn the key on, measure your voltage across the glow plug relay and make sure on the big terminals you are getting near 0 volts across them and you should see battery voltage on the small terminals. If you're getting that to turn on like it's supposed to then I would think maybe you're high pressure oil pump is starting to fail. You might want to switch to synthetic oil also it's easier on the truck and starting in cold temperatures

[RickyVaughn33]

I'm running Rotella 15w40. The voltage across the GPR looks good. I don't know about the HPOP though. What would be the best way to check it?

[HVAC SuperTech]

You need an auto engunity scan tool or other type of data logging scan tool. Kinda like the dealer has...

[vince harding]

Pull the plug on the hpop and check oil level after you have let it sit. Also check the air intake heater to make sure it's working. Most people do a AIH delete which is stupid if you live in a cold climate. Make sure fuel bowl is full and maintaining fuel delivery. Does it fire right up after its been plugged up for awhile? Is there smoke coming from exhaust pipe while ur cranking it? If so it sounds like a oil pressure issue. Also are u batteries new? If not u need to load test them, they may show 13 volts but not maintaining correct amperage.

[RickyVaughn33]

How exactly would I test pressure to make sure that the HPOP is working correctly? I'll check the AIH tomorrow. I plugged it in today for about 90 minutes and it started up fine. I will say though that it took a minute or two for it to finally run perfectly. I don't want to say that it had a "lope", but for a minute or so it was chugging pretty good. As far as my batteries are concerned, they are both brand new. This just really puzzles me because our other farm truck with the 7.3 will start on one cycle in 5 degree weather..

[lanierboatsales]

I do 2 things to mine when it does not want to start in cold weather. I change the oil in the HPOP (not wanting to start a debate but my truck loves fresh oil in there). I also put a quart of transmission fluid in the tank when I fill up with fuel. They tranny fluid cleans and lubricates the injectors and they function much better. My friend who has worked on these trucks since they were new says the new low sulfur fuel does not have lubricant in it for the older injectors. Since I started using it, my truck starts much better, the injectors are noticeably quieter and I had a slight stumble at idle that went away. I would use a full quart the first couple of times and then you can cut it back. I use 1/2 quart per tank now and I can tell a difference when I don't add it. The injectors are louder, motor is harder to start and the stumble at idle comes back.