Cold Starting Issues/ Need help Diagnosing

[huberjoshua]

Came out this moring and found out I had two problems. . .
#1 Engine block heater was plugged in, but engine was cold as it was outside 5* or so.

I cycled the glow plugs a couple of times and

#2 Engine fired but really really rough idle and I threw a CEL. Sounded like I was only on 4 or 7 cylinders.

I have been getting a LOT of smoke on the 30* mornings typical here in Ohio, but how do I fix the two problems. Is there an easy relay or fuse that could cure the block heater issue, and are the two problems related. Engine too cold and maybe only one side of glowplugs working, because after a couple of minutes of idleing, the CEL went away and the truck ran fine
thanks for your help, any input appreciated, this site always saves a ton of time in troubleshooting!

[Excavator]

only real problem with block heater could be cord bad or not plugged into good power from house

Your glow plug relay should be replaced if old and you could have a bad glow plug and theh should be checked with ohm meter

[Excavator]

Glow Plug Replacement and Relay Swap

here is goog place to look at

[huberjoshua]

If I still have a draw on the engine and the volts go down and lights dim for a few minutes after starting, should my relay be good? Any way to test? I have noticed (i think after the TS chip install that the wait to start light doesn't stay on as long)

What is the Stancor Relay about?

[Excavator]

Yes with some chips light does not stay on same length as no chip.
Your volts may be dropping as you say but relay might not be sending enough accross the 2 large post to get 100% volts needed.

[huberjoshua]

okay I'll just replace it especially if its under 20 bux at autozone and go from there

Thanks for your Help!

[Excavator]

To test relay you have to be quick
use volt meter on 1 large post with single wire and check volts
then check volts on second large post before glow plug relay is turned off.
volts should be just about the same accross 2 post

Also the light on dast is independant from relay

[huberjoshua]

Replaced the block heater plug and put it into a trailer plug housing mounted on the front bumper. The old plug was pretty corroded, and the wire back into the pigtail was corroded as well from all the salt from the old plug hanging in front of the truck. Block heater works now and I should be able to get the rest of my starting issues figured out.

Is there a good write up on installing a stancor relay, that seems the way to go

[Excavator]

This is for newer 2002 powerstroke but it is close to same

Welcome to guzzle's Stancor GPR replacement Mod Web Page