[benblitch]

I have a 96 PSD and am having a hard time not plugging it in below fifty degrees. When plugged it starts right up no problem, but unplugged it is unhappy.

The previous owner, I think, may have used starter fluid a few times. Can that effect my compression, thus effecting cold starts?

What are my quickest options, and what are my best options for fixing cold start issues?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[Believer45]

Do a search in the 94-97 forum subject only last 6 months for glow plug and you will find tons of information on the glow plug system, your most likely culprit.

Dave / Believer45

 

[Believer45]

Let's see if a link to search results will work.

CLICK HERE

 

[Believer45]

Yup it worked.

 

[drwoodchopper]

Are you buning a lot of oil? Could be a sign of bad compression. I bet it is your glow plugs a few bad and it gets hard to start, also wait an extra 10sec after your light goes out. Synthetic oil helps below 20deg for me. Seach the glow plugs like Dave said.

 

[Griz]

What are my quickest options, and what are my best options for fixing cold start issues?

Thanks,
Ben

Ben,

Cold start problems are usually caused by one of four things:
1. Bad Glow Plug Relay
2. Bad Glow Plugs
3. Weak Batteries
4. Weak Starter
There are a few other things, but these are the most likely causes. First I would test your glow plug relay (GPR). When the relay is energized (WTS light is on and for approximately 2 minutes after that when the engine is cold) measure the voltage on the two big posts on the glow plug relay. They should have the battery voltage across them and very little difference between them. If they have more than .3 volt difference between the big posts, your relay is bad. You can test your glow plugs by measuring the resistance from a good ground (I use the negative battery terminal) to each glow plug. The two outer pins on your four valve cover connectors go to your glow plugs. They all should read less than 2 ohms. If they read more than 2 ohms your plugs are bad and need replacement. If your relay and plugs tested good, have your batteries and starter tested at AutoZone or some other parts store. You need two good batteries and a good starter to start a PSD when it cold out.
There are other causes of a ‘Cold’ start problem, but these are the most likely and I would check them first. If everything above checks out okay…then inspect all your battery and starter motor connections. Make sure they are tight and not corroded. Check your fuel inside the fuel filter canister and see if it looks normal and not dark colored. If it is dark, your injector ‘O’ rings might be bad and this can cause issues with starting also. You could also have worn poppet seats and with the cold oil it could not seal.

Good Luck!

Griz

 

[billcare]

What Griz said with the addition of Check the wiring and especially the pins that are inside the Valve cover gaskets. Mine were melted and caused hard starting.

 

[benblitch]

Bad Glow Plug Relay?

Okay did a few tests. Checked cold voltage coming out of the batteries about 13V so figure that's probably good. I had a drop across the glow plug relay during WTS light up of about .6V so I think this is the culprit. Anyone have suggestions on which is the best GPR to buy?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[S95]

stancor......someone will have the part number.

 

[4micaman]

stancor......someone will have the part number.

568-902

 

[benblitch]

It was the glow plug relay

Simple fix. Thanks alot you guys. I will be buying a stancor the next time, but for now 70 bucks at O'Reilley's and about twenty minutes. Starts easy now all temps.

Thanks again