TowRig.com - Diesel Discussion and Tow Tech

I have a 1996 Ford Powerstroke that usually fires up as soon as you hit the key. Lately, it seems I will either have to let it glow twice to get it started, or if that doesn't work, glow and crank it until it fires. It is not like it got wintry and it is very cold. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions if it was glow plugs or worn injectors or what. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Brenton

Make sure the glow plug relay is still working correctly. It is only a 25 dollar part at Napa if you have any doubts about it. Did the problem get worse over time, or seem to come up all of the sudden? Does any smoke come out of the exhaust pipe when it does start, if so, what color?

Howdy i had the same problem on my 96 powerstroke about 4 months ago i was told the relay was bad (78 dollars) that money went down the drain. So i went to a diesel man here in Alabama and i had him replace the glow plugs and the relay had to be replaced again because it got burned up because of all the cranking that i had to do. If the temp got below 40 degrees i would not hardly start and after i had those replaced i have not had any problems what so ever the mine trying to crank in the mornings now. Maybe that will help

waytogo burnout

On your slow starts, does it smoke at all, if so, what color? that will help figure out the prob if you havnt already.

The batterys could be going bad, especially if under freezing when you try and start, low amps could not heat the plugs fully and cause slow starting causing you to glow the plugs a few time and excessivly crank.

When I had my 90 F250 with the 7.3 L IDI the glow plug modual would go out about once a year except the last time the heavy gauge wire burned up. When the modual was bad it would not start unless it was pulled (manual). I would change out the glow plugs every fall and the batteries did not seem to last more than a couple of years and had to clean the post a lot.

Glow plug relay, air intake temp sensor, oil temp sensor, Check the ohm reading on the glowplugs before replacing them.

FYI. it was my glow plug relay doing what your describing.

I'm going to say glow plugs.