wont start cold without ether shot - Diesel Forum

lunas jackel · 11-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Wont start cold in the mornings without small ether shot no matter what temp outside. I have been doing this for at lest a year. My mechanic said that is just how the old diesels are , but there has to be something to fix to this Thankx

cdnsarguy · 11-13-2009, 04:52 PM

If it is an 89 and up there should be no reason to ether it unless the GPs are not working. Do you get a wait to start light (WTSL) does it stay on or just flash..... is it hooked up at the firewall, center of the engine, black with pink strip from the controller.

Have you tested the GPs..... and do you know what brand they are. Only Motorcraft/Beru are reliable.....

Better price....

Motorcraft Glow Plugs (set of 8) 7.3 IDI Diesel '87-'94

chuckster57 · 11-13-2009, 04:53 PM

Tell your mechanic to sit in the corner and be quiet. Then run away and get a new mechanic.

There are a few reasons for no start cold and they can all be fixed so that the ether can, can be used for the lawn mower...

First) what shape are the batteries in. Can you count the revs of the starter? If so then they need to be replaced. 850 CCA minimum and change them as a set.

Second) how long does the Wait To Start light stay on? Should be on for about 12-15 seconds cold. If not then you probably have 1 or more glow plugs bad. Use an OHM meter and put the (-) Negative lead on the engine and the (+) Positive lead on the tip of the GP and you should see 2-3 OHMS. If they are bad use BERU or Motorcraft ZD9. DO NOT use autolite.

This should give you a starting point.

lunas jackel · 11-13-2009, 05:51 PM

I just repaced the starter noticeing a high torque start up now . 2 brand new batt. new alt. don't know what a gp is .I have replaced 5 glow plugs and too need to do the last few .I assumend that every glow plug not working might cause this. So will do the other 3 and see what happens. I kind imagine that not every glow plug would not cause this. Thankx.

Snotzalot · 11-13-2009, 05:58 PM

You have a very explosive situation using Ether. Yes explosive. If you use ether, you need to disable the GP system. Question, how much fun is it having to raise the hood each morning and give it a shot? Most of us climb in, turn the key on, fasten our seat belt and when buckled it's usually time to crank it over. Easy and we don't get dirty starting the truck.

rotaryboots · 11-13-2009, 09:27 PM

3 GPs can make a difference. GP (Glow plugs) GPC (Glow Plug Controller) GPS (Glow plug soliniod) The GPC contains the GPS and the controller is what regulates how long the glow plugs will be active by activating the GPS. The GPC senses how cold th engine is and how long the GPs need to be activated by the resistance in the GP wire loom. so having 3 bad GPs will make it so the rest of the good GPs won't stay on as long because the GPC thinks the engine is hotter than it is. Even 2 bad glow plugs can make it harder to start in colder temps. If you have a Non turbo IDI then getting to the glow plugs is... lets face it... not hard at all.

chuckster57 · 11-13-2009, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotaryboots

If you have a Non turbo IDI then getting to the glow plugs is... lets face it... not hard at all.

Even with a Turbo it's not bad..only 1 hard to get ( under the turbo ) and it took me about 30 seconds longer than the rest.

trampsdieseltruck · 11-13-2009, 10:04 PM

my guess would be his glow plugs or glow plug relay are not working.if lunas jackel has been using ether for the last year and has not blown himself up yet his glow plugs are not coming on.

rotaryboots · 11-14-2009, 05:46 AM

haha good point, by now a head should have popped or something along the lines of boom

Snotzalot · 11-14-2009, 06:39 AM

How long does the Wait To start Light stay on when you first turn the key on with a cold engine?

trampsdieseltruck · 11-14-2009, 08:34 AM

with a volt meter check to see how many volts you are getting to your glow plugs when the wait to start light comes on(you should be getting 9.6 volts)power wire going to the glow plug controller relay from passenger fender should be 12 volts .8 new zd-9 glow plugs $80 7.3 Liter Diesel Motorcraft Glow Plugs - Ford 7.3 Liter Diesel Motorcraft Glow Plug new glow plug controller relay $18.95

FORD DIESEL GLOW PLUG Relay-- 6.9 and - 7.3 Powerstroke:eBay Motors (item 280356993664 end time Dec-07-09 21:58:48 PST)

lunas jackel · 11-14-2009, 08:41 AM

It stays on about 5 seconds , but can tell the glow plugs are still heating up because of the amp. meter. And yes it is anyoing to pull the hood up every morning.

Snotzalot · 11-14-2009, 08:50 AM

5 seconds isn't long enough, replace your remaining GP's and see how long the WTS light stays on.