Important

[BRIANHO13]

Check your glow plug relay. They like to crap out on 7.3s and cause a hard start. As far as batteries go, there are only 2 or 3 major manufacturers so no matter the label they're all pretty much good. Wally World Maxxstarts have a pretty good rep and warranty. Yes, they're WalMart but just as good as any, plus you are never more than 50 miles from a store if you have problems.

He beat me to it.

 

[BRIANHO13]

you are still welcome

 

[bmyohn]

Is anyone following the AL and NLCS at all? I feel like no one around me seems interested in it this year. I just want to see the Yankees lose, that's all I care about.

 

[GoSlowGetStuck]

You might want to check your starter first. The starter in my CTD benefited a couple of years ago from a new set of solenoid contacts, and over the summer from a new set of brushes (both one heckuva lot cheaper than a new starter.)

Alright... well initially I thought starter, since it has started to whine a bit. All the accessories seem to work fine, it doesn't have the usual signs of a bad battery but I figured I check. They are red top Duralasts, took them to Autozone tonight and they checked 100%. Yea, I know, it's Autozone, but they've been good to me and the guys at this one seem to know their stuff. But I checked the batteries for free and a starter does seem to fit the symptoms.

Check your glow plug relay. They like to crap out on 7.3s and cause a hard start. As far as batteries go, there are only 2 or 3 major manufacturers so no matter the label they're all pretty much good. Wally World Maxxstarts have a pretty good rep and warranty. Yes, they're WalMart but just as good as any, plus you are never more than 50 miles from a store if you have problems.

That does sound familiar now that I think about it. I have been astounded at how long it takes to fire, even in warm weather when it was cranking fast. I guess I could have both problems? I mean I'm working with 156,000 miles and the assumption that nothing more than oil has ever been replaced on this thing.

Glow plug relay will fix it right up.

Your welcome.

You seem pretty sure about this, and I'm pretty clueless about diesels (obviously). Can you (or Byron) clarify something... looking on RockAuto I am seeing a "glow plug switch," that looks like a conventional round four-terminal solenoid. $50. I'm also seeing a "glow plug relay," that has two wiring harness connectors with some wide pins on them, and looks like it has a heatsink built into it. $150. Which one is the culprit?

So, what to try first? Or both? Both a GPR and starter seem to explain all the problems. It definitely is cranking slow (realllly slow, as in any time could be the last time it spins), as well as taking a lot of revolutions to fire, even in warm weather and when it was cranking hard. If changing both fixes my problems for years to come, then no big deal, I'll do it. Or I'll sell it and buy a Dirtymax. But I am leaning towards keeping this truck for a while and I need it to reliable, so I'll do whatever it takes.

Edit: and nice post-whoring, Brian.

 

[IllianaXJ]

Could be worn out glow plugs also. Search around on some of the PSD forums (there are a ton) and you should find some quick diagnostics. Brian had a 7.3 for a while, he may know of some also.

 

[RedHeep]

Make sure you check with the dealership. The 7.3's had a recall on glow plug relays. If it hasn't been done, they'll honor it.

One of my Marines bought a '97 a couple of years ago and the relay quit. We plugged his VIN into the ford website and it popped up. Took it to the dealership for a free relay and labor.

 

[89eliminator]

Is anyone following the AL and NLCS at all? I feel like no one around me seems interested in it this year. I just want to see the Yankees lose, that's all I care about.

Rangers vs Giants is what i have wanted to see since the playoffs started. dont really care who wins out of that, but it would be cool to see the Rangers pull it off.

 

[BRIANHO13]

Alright... well initially I thought starter, since it has started to whine a bit. All the accessories seem to work fine, it doesn't have the usual signs of a bad battery but I figured I check. They are red top Duralasts, took them to Autozone tonight and they checked 100%. Yea, I know, it's Autozone, but they've been good to me and the guys at this one seem to know their stuff. But I checked the batteries for free and a starter does seem to fit the symptoms.



That does sound familiar now that I think about it. I have been astounded at how long it takes to fire, even in warm weather when it was cranking fast. I guess I could have both problems? I mean I'm working with 156,000 miles and the assumption that nothing more than oil has ever been replaced on this thing.



You seem pretty sure about this, and I'm pretty clueless about diesels (obviously). Can you (or Byron) clarify something... looking on RockAuto I am seeing a "glow plug switch," that looks like a conventional round four-terminal solenoid. $50. I'm also seeing a "glow plug relay," that has two wiring harness connectors with some wide pins on them, and looks like it has a heatsink built into it. $150. Which one is the culprit?

So, what to try first? Or both? Both a GPR and starter seem to explain all the problems. It definitely is cranking slow (realllly slow, as in any time could be the last time it spins), as well as taking a lot of revolutions to fire, even in warm weather and when it was cranking hard. If changing both fixes my problems for years to come, then no big deal, I'll do it. Or I'll sell it and buy a Dirtymax. But I am leaning towards keeping this truck for a while and I need it to reliable, so I'll do whatever it takes.

Edit: and nice post-whoring, Brian.

If I remember correctly its the 4 post round part that sits right in the middle of the engine bay on top of the engine. 20 minute swap at most.

 

[85xjwoody]

Here is a little sneak peak at what I am working on next.

The suspension and axles are coming out from under this.

I will have this done by Christmas, I hope.

 

[FlexdXJ]

Does it have Manual windows and what the hell kind of tires are those?

 

[85xjwoody]

I believe the windows are power, I don't know for sure though. The tires are BFG baja's grooved for racing.

 

[REWSTER]

You seem pretty sure about this, and I'm pretty clueless about diesels (obviously). Can you (or Byron) clarify something... looking on RockAuto I am seeing a "glow plug switch," that looks like a conventional round four-terminal solenoid. $50. I'm also seeing a "glow plug relay," that has two wiring harness connectors with some wide pins on them, and looks like it has a heatsink built into it. $150. Which one is the culprit?

thats a little steep for the glow plug relay, im holding the FORD one in my hand at a list of $106. here is the part # if you want to crossreference it f81z-12b533-ac or you can PM me ill give ya a deal on the ford one but it will probably take a day or two depending on UPS :cheers:

If I remember correctly its the 4 post round part that sits right in the middle of the engine bay on top of the engine. 20 minute swap at most.

I believe your right sir

 

[GoSlowGetStuck]

thats a little steep for the glow plug relay, im holding the FORD one in my hand at a list of $106. here is the part # if you want to crossreference it f81z-12b533-ac or you can PM me ill give ya a deal on the ford one but it will probably take a day or two depending on UPS :cheers:

I believe your right sir

The round solenoid-looking piece is $50, probably will just pick one up locally and get it swapped before I head out to Redbird. Sounds even easier than pulling a starter.

Today it seemed to start a little easier, but it was probably 39F and I had the block heater on from 3am to 8am. I will change the glow plug relay today and see what I find out.

 

[REWSTER]

must have miss read it the first time, the round 4 terminal thingy sound right and 50 is i bit cheaper than i can get it to you for

 

[87manche]

call me a sissy man if you will, but 80 rounds of 30.06 makes my shoulder hurt the next day.

yes, it will make an appearance at next years pig gig.

 

[macgyvr]

I was hoping for the REDS to go farther...

mac 'theres always next year' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

Got the wheels moving on refinancing the crib...

15 year mortgage at 3.5%...

mac 'that's payment even i can afford' gyvr

 

[macgyvr]

oh yeah the best I'm gonna probably get to is 10th in this thread...just don't have the initiative to really whore it out...or the time.

mac '11th to myself now' gyvr

 

[kastein]

aside from THe NAC lots-o-post thread I don't think I've ever seen a thread get post whored more than this one :roflmao:

 

[REWSTER]

I never thought that