starting trouble

[Lowdown89]

hey guys i got a problem thats starting to get old. we have recently replaced the injectors with a set of rebuilt stock ones from rosewood diesel, also replaced the valve cover wiring harness and glow plugs. my problem is that even in mid 50 degree weather i have to plug the truck in to get it to start, now this doesnt happen all the time but even when it will start without plugging it in it runs rough and does the romp romp idle until it warms up, i replaced my ICP sensor a while back and have recently noticed oil in the plug when i went to do the 10k mod but would this cause it to be hard to start?? could it be my glow plug relay?? any other ideas?? it gets old not being able to just get in my truck and drive it when i want to. also the truck has fresh oil(15w40) just changed it yesterday along with the coolant filtration system we put on.

[robertm]

When you first turn your key on you should hear your GPR click and your volt gauge drop. If this is not hapening it is probably your glow plug relay. I replaced mine with a Stancor, much better relay than stock.

[Lowdown89]

ok i just went out and checked it, i turned the key and the WTS light came one and i heard the click and the voltage kinda like jumped it barely dropped and came right back to where it was kinda like the gauge twitched, i dont understand cause somedays the truck starts up on the first cycle of the glow plugs then days like this where it wont even start at all

[robertm]

The glow plugs and GPR when they are all working use alot of volts for about 2 minutes. The wait to start light is not part of the glow plug system, the computer sets it based on engine temp. My '96 7.3 drops to 8 volts on the gauge while I wait to start, and stays below 14 volts for about 2 minutes while the glow plugs continue to heat while running it.

[Deeslfxr]

Glow plug relay internal contacts starting to arc and burn. This will cause intermittent contact and erratic operation. robertm is right on the money. Replace the relay.

[robertm]

I bought a Stancor #586-902 relay from Mouser Electronics online and got it in 3 days. It is twice the size of the factory GPR. Mount it by laying it on its side, NCHORNET posted some nice pics to show how to install it. It has silver contacts inside and its cost was very reasonable.

[Lowdown89]

yeah, i read guzzle's how to on upgrading the GPR.... i posted another topic in the general section about what i think may be fuel pump problems if any of you guys can be as helpful on that as you were on this issue it would be awesome!!!!

[landsraper69]

My 2000 psd has a similar problem. If I start it every day it starts fine, even in 15 degree weather. If it sits for 4-5 days it chops at start up and if it's 32 degrees or below it will die once or twice. I was told it was the oil not being in the top end. I changed the oil when I first got the truck and didn't fill the filter with oil and it did the same thing. I only had 3000 miles on it at that time now I have 90,000. I have had the chopping problem for a year and a half and no one can seem to fix the problem. If you found an answer please let me know.