[1515]

Howdy, I'm new here and new to the diesel truck thing. I've owned several trucks, all gas until now. Just picked up a '89 F250 ext cab 2x4 with 95K miles. Real nice truck, has had an easy non towing life. Lots of maintenance records. I just did the usual full service/oil, filter change, check fluids etc. Next i will service the trany, rear gear, bleed brakes and flush radiator. The 3 sp auto trany shifts hard until it is warmed up. Will a good professional trany flush/sercice cure this? When the engine is cold, like over night, it has to crank for 4-5 seconds before it fires. Do i have some glow plugs out? How do I check these and are they easy to replace? My "Wait to start" light does not work. I just wait a while before I crank it. Is that tough to track down and fix? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!!

 

[swhitney133]

Send pm with e-mail address and I'll send you my scanned pages from a service manual for glow plug diagnostics.

 

[cdnsarguy]

There could be several reasons for no WTS light:

Bulb burned out
Wire at the GP controller (black and purple) not hooked up
Poor ground on the GP controller to block or valve cover.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

As for the trans shifting hard, most likely that is caused by hardened seals. Change the fluid and add a large (@1 qt) bottle of Trans-X. It has seal conditioner which should help.

As for the starting, you may just be waiting too long to crank. Depress and hold the accelerator about 1/4 way, turn on ignition for about 6 seconds, then crank. You want to crank while the GP's are still heating, not after they have cycled.

 

[1515]

Thanks for the help...really appreciate it!!!