7.3 no start when cold

[Frank James]

nen glow plugs nen injectors new fuel heater element, won't start with temps around 40 degrees and lower. If I plug in block heater the night before it starts good. What controlls fuel heater and manifold air heater. please help I have spent over $ 3000.00 with ford dealers truck runs good, but won't start cold without block heater.

[t_bois]

Obviously something was missed, but what? That is the $3000.00 question.

I'm in the same boat, I have to wait until it warms up or keep it plugged in. I haven't spent any money on fixing it yet, but a couple of years ago I replaced the glow plugs, starting relay, and the valve cover gaskets because the connector pins were burnt.

I know the glow plugs are getting juice and I have ohm out the glow plugs. The glow plugs all read about 1.4 ohms cold. This leads me to believe that the fuel air mixture must be off.

I'm off work this week and will be spending a fair amount of time looking it this issue. Whatever I find, I will post as soon as I understand what the fix is.

Hopefully someone else will post a solution before me.

[Frank James]

Thanks good luck with yours.

[BIGCREW]

have you checked the glow plug relay,if you only check resistance of the glow plugs the relay may be bad,my 97 had 3 bad glow plugs and it would start when it was cold after a few trys,does it smoke alot once it starts

[mferg386]

I am having the same issue (2001 7.3) I am a new diesel owner so keep that in mind. When mine finally does start it smokes pretty bad for a little bit. I don't have a plug in on my, that I am aware of at least. Thoughts?

[Frank James]

The block heater plug on mine is under front bumper on the drivers side. The power cord runs along driver side frame rail to back of motor where the block heater is just above the oil filter.

[Colin7.3]

Check the glow plug relay

Beamed in from the Death Star with lasers and sh*t

[Frank James]

Colin 7.3 thanks the relay is new and working.

[Colin7.3]

is the truck still having problems starting?

[Frank James]

Colin Thanks for your interest. So far this week it has started. It runs rough and smells of raw diesel, it has to idle for several minutes before it will rev up or even move it's own weight. I think the fuel heater I replaced has helped it some. Glow plugs and relay are new. Fuel filter and fuel heater are new.. Ford checked and replaced two injectors. Beside all this, Some times the oil will disappear from the high pressure oil pump tank. Have to refill it to get it to start. Ford said the bad injectors could stick and let the oil drain out, but that didn't cure that problem. Thanks Frank