Hard starting

[mratop]

Hey all
Want to say that this is a great forum and have read a lot of helpful tips.
My problem
In the last 3 weeks I have noticed my 99 F350 taking a little longer to start in the morning. I live in sunny So. Cal. so the temp. at night only dips down to a chilly 45 deg. The first 2-3 cranks are ok then it acts like the batterys are draining for another 2-3 cranks and then starts. I tried letting the glow plugs go an extra 20 sec. but no difference. I took it to my local tech to have it checked out, batterys good, said my starter was good? but I dont know for sure. I then took it to the dealer for the cam senser recal and they couldn't find anything either.It does start better the rest of the day but still cranks more than normal. Im leaving on a Baja trip in 12 days and will be driving 2200 miles. I have 156,000 miles and have never changed the starter and on some of the threads I have read it could be the glow plug relay. any ideas?

[sawyer1]

I would guess its your relay iknow there is one that is cheaper from napa its either a gp 110 or109 (PART #) but you have to turn it 180 degrees to use it just remember the way it was wired from the stock one. Id try that i think you can test them to find out if there broke, i dont no how but someone should. If anything heres a bump.And welcome to the .org

[mschn99]

test the glow plug relay and the batteries!!!

[mratop]

Thanks for all the advice, I think I will get the oem relay and try that. Besides I would pay that for another diog. anyway.

[droobie d]

go with the 109... way cheaper, same thing just make sure you look for the longer fin thing on top of the gpr and remember where the wires went. 109 saved me $60 bucks thanks to this site!!