will not start without being plugged in

digesterman · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 01:02 PM

my 2000 7.3 will not start without being plugged in (120v heater). I had the glow plugs system checked out and all was well. Is there another sensor that I might be missing? Garage that check it out said I might need a new computer, if so is the dealer the way to go on that?
Thanks

**pipelayerjdh** · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 01:10 PM

Are the glow plugs not energizing, leading them to think it needs a new PCM?

digesterman · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipelayerjdh

Are the glow plugs not energizing, leading them to think it needs a new PCM?

No they are energizing, can't understand why it won't start with glow plug system working but will if engine is warm from heater.

**pipelayerjdh** · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 01:15 PM

How many miles is on it? I don't see how they could assume it needs a new PCM. If it does run the PCM is probably fine. Are they the ones that checked the glow plug system also?

digesterman · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:38 AM

Pipelayer they are the same, honest shop tho. The truck has 250,000 miles on it. When he pulled the codes on it he found two that indicated a faulty PCM.

***vitalidle*** · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2008, 06:41 AM

Doesn't make sense to me as you need the pcm to start the truck whether its plugged in or not.

clmtng · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 04:03 PM

I had the same thing going a couple of winters ago. My truck wouldn't fire up even when 50+ degrees. I had to plug it in all the time. I changed the Glow Plug Controller and that solved the issue. Mine didn't throw any codes when it happened, and if it weren't for this website, I may still be plugging my truck in every night.

**MrJohnWayne** · #8 (**permalink**) 03-23-2008, 04:13 PM

I would say check you glow plug relay etc.. and also check your battery cables. I just had a similar problem with mine and it was a bad battery cable.