Ford 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel Hard Start - Cold

[@mikerodr]

Thanks for the Video ; we do appreciate it ; No Bull ; No Joking around ; No Comedy ; No side kick to crack dumb jokes with ; straight to the point ; I like it ;

[@themechanicman3865]

You got it easy you got your wife helping you on cars my wife would never lay a finger helping me on car stuff and you're making money doing it while such blessed man you are

[@v8berenguer372]

Man you are one hell of a mechanic. You have no problems working on Diesel or gasoline engines. That is why i LOVE your channel.

[@AM-021]

It's always a challenge to run a business let alone make high quality videos while doing that. Thanks Eric O. for all your hard work and great attitude!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Thanks Austin!

[@wyattoneable]

You make diagnostics look easy Eric. It's easy to follow along in the way you present your videos as well. Thanks for an enjoyable case study.

[@jakelong1999]

I'm a mechanic myself and I'm nowhere near experienced as you. I knew how to do these tests as well, but I love your videos and enjoy the quality and I do learn from you quite often as well. Keep up the good work.

[@kevinsparkas4339]

Thank you very much south main auto, just diagnosed and repaired my 02 F250 7.3 with the help of this video. Probably saved myself a couple of hundred bucks. This is what makes the internet great

[@hxc7273]

Cool. The more diesel diagnostic stuff, the better.

[@fordnut4914]

I like his videos but I still think I could use a diagnostic on my brain.😁

[@CoopersAutomotiveRepair]

good video Eric. My dad owns one of these. He lives in Live Oak. Four hours away from me. Drove it to me to diagnose because the shop. There said he needed an engine. He was going through a gallon of oil in 10 min. With no smoke coming out the tailpipe. We found pinched O-rings on the injector. It was pumping all the oil into the diesel gas tank

[@ChampionofVardenfell]

Wow! That's crazy to think about. I'm glad you posted that though, gonna tuck that nugget of wisdom away at the back of my mind just in case. Lol.

[@MrValliber]

nice

[@Hatchetpsycopath]

Eric ive been working on my truck and my dads truck both with over 400k on them and never thought to check the glow plug relay until i saw this video tonight almost 4 years after you posted it and i went right out at 10 pm and made my son turn my truck on and off and lo and behold my relay is bad thank you so much for making this video.

[@darylzero3139]

Love your channel man! I've watched every one of your videos (I'm not even a mechanic). Your presentation skills, teaching, and work are first rate! This small donation is the least I can do for all the enjoyable hours watching your videos.

[@yayoinkdab5883]

Good stuff man, my truck did this this morning, I just bought it and it's had Hella issues and the last thing I need is for it to not start now, glad I found this video, great job!

[@63jeepj20]

Hell of a lot more helpful than 7.3 groups on Facebook. They always say to replace the valve cover harness.

[@robj2704]

In small town USA, a mechanic has to know a lot about diagnostics. Eric's videos have shown that he know a lot more than even the local car dealership mechanics.

[@kennethmc2601]

Just to clear up any confusion, people coming from other diesels assume that the "Wait to start" light on the dash indicates that the glow plugs are on. Not on a 7.3. The glow plugs can stay on for up to two minutes after turning on the key. The light is just a suggestion. People will cycle the key to "heat up the glow plugs more", when really all they are doing is turning them off and on.

[@johnmckamy6398]

how could anybody hit the not like button, boo . this guy is awesome

[@Coloredeggfarms]

Could be they don't like ford vids.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

I would venture it is the same handful of twisted people who thumbs down everything on any of the better car diagnostic & repair channels. They actually watch for new videos and thumbs down immediately.

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice quick diagnosis with the trusty test light. My shoulder is healing pretty good but need to get the about 10% more range of motion & strength back more but I've been doing diagnostic work. My hand still swells up some so it's a pain trying to get connectors apart but I'm happy to be back at it. I've been solely cars (a few per week) but Friday will be a 08 Dodge Ram with CEL, sluggish & poor gas mileage so this should be fun climbing around it. I can't stay away it's killing me. You, Paul , & Ivan have kept me from going crazy, thanks for all the videos while I am healing!

[@SouthMainAuto]

oh man let me know what ya find!

[@DIZZAAY]

I have to do this tomorrow on my 96. Thanks for the video, I hope it's the relay... more 7.3 powerstroke content!

[@justinbabygirlful]

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU SAVED ME TIME AND MONEY. TRUCK STARTED UP GREAT IN THE AM. BUFFALO NY HAVE THE HARDEST WINTERS..... THANK YOU

[@johnnorris7815]

Those crusty terminals you spoke of may have been the only problem. I never saw the test light touch the post in the test. Just an observation. I love your videos. I watch a lot and yours are the best. Keep up the good work.

[@flmeade]

I would think just checking to see if a glow plug was grounded doesn't prove it working. Ford diesel owner with glow plug experience. Enjoy your videos every day.

[@TheDisgruntledMechanic]

Nice and quick and all with just the scope on a rope!! Great job Dr.O!

[@CRAZY_VIDS07]

with your experience everything looks easy,,,lol great day ERIC O.

[@somerandomguy3868]

So tight under the hood, looks like an absolute nightmare to work on, great video

[@robertdavis6708]

Love to own one of those Powered Smokes. A real( American) best selling truck for over a hundred years.

[@davidevans8826]

I don’t understand or dislikes it’s nothing but excellent knowledge thank you for your time,!! Eric your wicked good👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@Nvrskrd]

Some ppl dislike not that the content I the greatest but it's something they either no longer want specific type of content cuz the problem is remedied or maybe it's a person that just isn't interested in this type of content at all and it randomly popped up on their feed hope this helps

[@user-dn6qy1ou1f]

You should have checked resistance of each glow plug. Seeing them show getting power is good. But if the resistance is out of spec, they need to be changed

[@ChampionofVardenfell]

^this

[@officialdieselstudios2251]

This seems like it is my problem with the same symtoms, hard start with unspent diesel smoke, but once started its smooth as glass. I have a 1995 F250 with a 7.3, I shure hope this is my problem. Thank you for the help "South Main Auto Repair LLC."

[@mikechiodetti6737]

Simple circuit that can cause big problems! Your description was right on! Great Video!

[@joeminoso1554]

you make everything look easy even though it's not

[@awd42]

No before & after video of startup? I mean, I know what to expect, but it's always nice to see "fix confirmed!"

[@TheLizardKing653]

Wish I could take my 7.3 to you. Going to check this out on mine. Have a really hard time cold starting mine. I shoot just a little bit of ether on it and starts right up without any problems afterwards unless it sits in the cold for a while again.

[@SuperVV2010]

I may have the last of the 99s because the dealer said my order probably wouldn't go through when I contracted it new. It's hauled hundreds of tons over the years. The hard start and check engine light came on recently. After South Main's instructions led me to solve my cold start problem in two hours and for the $57 cost of an O'Reilly replacement relay, I watched his video again, and this time sat through all the commercials thrown up first, to give him some more KZbin revenue. Gotta check the merch, too. What would the dealer repair dept. have cost for this??!!

[@garageworker]

Eric, your knowledge across all makes and models is very impressive!

[@RobHaag71]

Doesn’t hurt to check the resistance of the glow plugs if you suspect they’re not strong, i think spec on those are under 2Ω resistance is good, also for folks that might be thinking that relay looks like the starter relay.. take note that the relay for the glow plugs is different than the starter relay, the ground is different on the glow plug relay on the control side, i think it’s isolated and switched through the ground side

[@jessicachapados6280]

Thank you! Came across this video and I'm going to test my truck once I get my hands on that price. I recently purchased a 99 f250 with the 7.3L and its been hard getting it to start. Takes a few primes and cranks. So I'm trying to find the cheaper repairs that can be done first, before assuming glow plugs or fuel injectors... hope this solves my issue

[@darkstalker113]

Just found this channel and noticed this trucks from new york so I googled your channel name your only 45 mins away from me thats crazy.

[@ethansprofile6670]

I worked on controls throughout my career (retired now) and it was hard to convince others that without a system it might be a waste of time.

[@jacobdawson3006]

Straight to the point, A true professional. same problem on my old work horse, thanks!!

[@airdexfly]

Excellent guidance. Exactly the problem I was having and the exact solution to fix the problem. Thanks

[@wysetech2000]

Nice job,Eric. I always use a test light for testing glow plugs and never had a problem. I suppose removing the glow plugs and checking their glow is best but not easy to do on a P-Stroke.

[@MichaelPaulik]

Even when the WTS light goes out, the glow plugs will continue to heat for a minute or so. Watch your voltage gauge and wait until you see the needle bounce back up if (when) she gives you tude on cold starts (provided your glow plug circuit is at least somewhat functional…).

[@farmboy30117]

Somebody lucked out on that repair! I can imagine it'd get pretty expensive to swap plugs.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Yeah they are a pain to do

[@KillEmAllClan]

gravy work once done once

[@arturo910ruiz]

My old 7.3 was smoking bad had a hard time starting up this morning!

[@Badgertronix]

Nice job. Looks like it would have been a bit harder than the average euro 4 cylinder to swap the plugs if it came to it.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Yep it takes several hours

[@rhkips]

Nice and quick! Helpful of Ford to make the harness connectors so easy to get to. :D It's worth mentioning while you've got a Powerstroke in there, Ford recently rejected the API's new standard for diesel motor oil (CK-4), due to finding excessive wear in some older engines. For the time being, the previous standard (CJ-4) is acceptable for use, but as its availability dwindles, you'll have to be careful about what oil you put in these Powerstrokes. :)

[@shanebryan8151]

Hey friend. I changed that cylonoid still takes about 7 seconds to start. I checked the ground to the new glow plugs, its good. But when I check the wire harness from the value cover up, nothing lit up.

[@63256325N]

Nice easy fix. I'm learning new stuff from you every day. Thanks for the video.

[@65blablabla]

nice breakdown on testing ,love the scope on a rope...one of my fav tools.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Hey Eric nice scope-on-a-rope diag! Only question I had was can the glow plugs actually short out (low resistance) kind of like a GM injector and eventually cause relay failure by over-amperage? How much current do those things draw?

[@spudth]

I think Eric indicated that he usually sees them go open when failed. Generally diesel guys will check for resistance with a ohm meter to confirm their condition. My 260K miles truck needs very good motorcraft brand glow plugs to start in cold weather.

[@MCatwar]

if i can make one suggestion, i diagnose mine by reading the resistance and multiplying by 12 volts to figure out how mudh current is passed through each glow plug. from there, if you wanted, you could calculate power, but usually just looking for a decent current passing through is good enough. you can make continuity and pass the light test, but your resistance may still be too high and therefore passing little current and making it hardly turn on

[@workingshlub8861]

love the videos with scope on a rope...keep them coming

[@ozzstars_cars]

Simple, easy quick fix. That leaves more time to goof off!

[@adventureoflinkmk2]

Or send them out and move on to the next one

[@zoidberg444]

Eric you beast. Love to see the diesel stuff. I'm surprised that truck is still on the road being a 99 and with all the salt...

[@SouthMainAuto]

it was a southern truck :)

[@georgedawsonjr450]

Eric you need to put out more content about the diesel engine on ford chevy and dodge. There so much not out yet. I'm working on one that just keeps finding new ways to turn my work into a mess. 2001 f 350 7.3 in it very little maintenance done on her tell this ladies bought it. I'm in az by the way. I heard you asking people where they live.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

I could hear the added amp draw when the key was turned on. What ever electrical was running sounded a bit slower. Great fix!

[@landscapetechniques6872]

Those relays on the 7.3 are always going bad I have to get a new one almost every year but if you just plug your truck up you don't really have to worry about it my Cummins we never have a problem with when it gets cold

[@ryancolley7608]

just a little tip, when testing the glow plugs, most accurate way i find is to use a amp meter/clamp to measure current draw just incase any are shorted.

[@SouthMainAuto]

If they were shorted it would have blown the fuseable link

[@ryancolley7608]

sorry yeah i ment for the ones that have a ecu controlling them

[@SouthMainAuto]

I don't think you will find an ECU controlling a 100 amp circuit other than controlling the low amp side of a relay...

[@ryancolley7608]

I work in the uk for citreon and citreon c4 picasso's use this :/ its rubbish :/

[@SouthMainAuto]

First!!

[@Tedybear315]

Showoff....

[@Eric_the_Hiking]

Matthew 20:16

[@RealCadde]

Last! (For now)

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

I should hope so...

[@SouthMainAuto]

lol

[@stevenmchenry9276]

Eric you the best. Keep up the great work.

[@billramsey8695]

I love that truck, i have a white 99 just like it. Good truck. You make it look easy to work on. Thanks or the video.

[@nicknicu1787]

I love diesel diagnostic videos!

[@bobsnyder3309]

My 7.3 starts easily down to about 10 degrees without being plugged in. It starts when it's hot. Between 45-50 degrees is when it doesn't like to fire up.

[@nateloomis8380]

I would’ve loved to see the cold starts

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

Great video Eric . Thank you and good luck this season hunting.

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

On a 12 volt system. Remember if it won't light the test light it can't carry current. My two favorite tools for doing electrical diagnostics are my powerprobe and my scope on the rope.

[@SouthMainAuto]

I think the PP is garbage but I am a test light scope guy myself

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

What I like is the ground lead from the powerprobe. I connect my test light to the ground. Because the powerprobe is hooked to the battery and it helps add length to my test light. I have had the powerprobe misled me. I know always check power and grounds with the test light. Alot of tech's know how to use the powerprobe but they can't figure out a test light.

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

The good ole scope on the rope.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Lol I have seen that tool lead many rookies on a wild goose chase for sure!

[@feeneysmechanical6215]

South Main Auto Repair . It is nice for working on semi truck's on the road or fixing the lights on the wrecker. I have the digital snapon test light as well.

[@movingupautodiagnostics8645]

Thanks for this video Eric, I don't know much about diesels.

[@amplifiedman]

ABSOLUTELY, ANOTHER AWSUM CLIP, ERIC IF YOU CAN DO IT, I ABSOLUTELY CAN👍👍👍👍💯

[@CMustian1]

Thank you. Very helpful and well put together.

[@akquicksilver]

Great video! Wished I would have found this before replacing all my GPs. Good job!

[@mac-doien9298]

Any tips on changing the glow plugs on a 2001 7.3 L, especially the passenger side I have to remove looks like a bunch of belts the alternator some intake hoses for a start..! I would really like to see a video made of that :-) Great diagnostic tips thanks a bunch.

[@siriusjones6719]

The only SMA video that does not contain brake clean?!

[@danekeeper1]

Working on a piece of automotive art...my 7.3 is the best, most dependable anything I have owned........16 years old and not a spot of rust......seat are like new and I get 20mpg's.

[@charlesmiller5078]

The mechanic at our shop said that our engines, Mack Semi, dosent have glow plugs, is that because the cylinder pressure is really high. Dosent matter what temp is is, they start right now. No difference hot or cold.

[@brandonruhl4525]

That extra wire is for the fuel bowl heater if i remember correctly.

[@MrFreeze79]

hey eric, how old were you (or young) when you started in mechanics ? and how long have you owned your own shop? thanks!!

[@davesministry7789]

Thank you. Very time saving advice. Good video.

[@1911loaded]

Take the pos relay and toss it in the trash get a WHITE RODGERS 586-902 rely and you never have to replace it again. Mines been on more than 8 years. Never an issue it a lot bigger so you'll have to fidget with it but it will fit. You really need to ohm the glow plugs a test light will show yeah or ney. Ohming will tell you if there worn out. Good video for a quick how to

[@cw2lido]

What a beast of a truck! Are you seeing issues with batteries and no starts with the change in the weather?

[@stradplayer90]

cw2lido I do in the aut parts industry. I change 5 batteries in 1 day last week. in the summer we can go a week or more without 1 sale. All the potential failures usually occur before the really cold weather starts.

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

A dead cell in a battery usually shows up as a non-start in the early frosts. Often a customer will jump start the vehicle and it will start fine until the temperature really drops. I usually do both the new fangled high-tech impedance test and the old school high current load voltage test on the batteries any vehicle I service in the from the Autum through to March

[@ItsAlwaysRusty]

Like the diesel work for a change.. Thanks

[@JamesJohnson-kw9gh]

Eric can you do this same test but go further say that it was not relay but a command problem and how you would start .I've got a 02 7.3 that not getting control to ground post for glow plug and I'm not able to get anything for a diagram .also where do you get your diagrams so I may get mine from reliable source thanks Jim

[@justinp8946]

What is the difference when you switch the test light to ground to positive? Great vid Eric!

[@valtterilatvanen9195]

If it’s connected to ground it lights up when touching positive. If it’s connected to positive it lights up when touching ground.

[@ronaldanderson9263]

How did she do in the morning after the fix?

[@travishighley6840]

Does this test test the glow plugs or the harness? Wanna find the easiest way to tell if glow plugs are good without having to take them out.

[@nfb615]

Best thing for a 7.3 glow plug relay is to replace it with a starter relay for construction equipment. Doesn’t fit very well but it will never have to be replaced again.

[@RodgerMudd]

You are so right. The Ford relay is pure junk. I trashed the relays on all our trucks, both the turbo intake and glow plug relay. We also replaced all terminal ends with nickel plated copper of solder on type. The ford ones are pron to corrosion. Also we put real water fuel separators on that could be checked and drained without getting under the damn truck. Also synthetic is the only oil we use. The 2003 F-350 Super Duty has 400,000 miles on it and have never replaced the injectors. I find for a diesel engine the compression is on the low side thus requiring preheat at moderately low temperatures. One more thing> Modified the turbo inter cooler return so it does not pull air from around the battery. So as not to induce sulfur fumes and terminal corrosion and acid build up into the turbo and air intake system. Who ever designed that need a brain scan. I would never let this guy touch my trucks!

[@jessepitt]

White Rogers makes the one you want.

[@virian2010]

Thanks this is a good starting point. I will try this first.

[@davidbarber6029]

Not trying to be that guy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the glow plugs are good. The light will light up even if the glow plugs are bad because anything you touch that is grounded will cause the light to come on the scope. I have had this issue. It seems like every few months during the cold time of year I’m constantly changing the relay which leads me to believe I have one or more glow plugs bad.

[@allcureman3403]

Great job Eric!

[@UBBERTANKER]

is a test light really sufficient to check the glow plugs wouldnt you want to load the circut more. If you had even a slight connection through the glow plug it would light the test light but as soon as they were plugged in it may go open under load.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Guess I must say in all my years experience I have never seen that happen. Have you?

[@larescats]

Very well put together video very well explained easy to understand thank you for you intelligence 😀

[@grasspatchaero7062]

Thanks for the video, i just picked up a 2000 7.3 with low miles, it was a bear to start when it got into the 40's had the same problem. Thanks for the video

[@jorgefonseca9225]

great vedeo on my 2001 excursion 7.3 a cople days ago starting a really hard to start!! and the (engine light orange color) coming! i don"t have a professional equipment for checking a problems! but on my cheaper OBD stuff detected a P0672, and P1670 when the engine is hot he starting good! but on low temperatures is really hard to start!!! anyone knows what caind of the problem is? i apreciate ALL helps thanks fellas cheers from norway

[@fonchobenavides]

Nice video thank you for taking the time. God bless you 👌

[@gulf7841]

is he using 15w40 weight oil or 10w30 weight it makes a big diffrents because when its cold the 15w40 is to thick and you will get a hard start

[@SteveRobReviews]

The test light verifying the glow plugs as good was cool. Could a glow plug test good with the test light but not heat up enough ?

[@daveseely4789]

I doubt it,I think glow plugs either work or they don't,unlike spark plugs.

[@SteveRobReviews]

Dave Seely That's what I was wondering . Could it test ok but only heat up a bit of the tip compared to a new glow plug heating up the whole tip. A resistance check , hum not sure if that's a viable option . Cheers !!

[@trainer2018]

STEVE ROB Eric was just checking to see if he had an open circuit on the glow plugs. Then he did another simple check with the relay and found bad contacts. The best way to check those glow plugs is to make sure the current that the plugs are drawing are in spec. An ohm check would not be the way to go here as for checking the performance of the plugs, but it can be used though to check for opens and shorts in the plug. Wonder if Eric had time to take the relay apart and see how it failed. I would have checked it the same way.

[@SteveRobReviews]

busjockey1 Thanks Mike. I guess an amp clamp measuring the draw would verify its heating up all the way. Cool Thanks Buddy

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

A glow plug is just a light bulb without the glass - it works or dosen't no halfway.

[@helo1bob1]

How about testing older ford 7.3 starting systems!

[@user-dn6qy1ou1f]

It's basically the same setup, just different injectors and turbo. Make sure you have good matching batteries first!

[@coreyregier5546]

Yeah those relays are cheap and they burn up, I know this because I cut mine open when I changed it out for a White Rogers relay, all charred and no shiny spots of the contacts. There is another relay underneath the stupid plastic cover for the intake heater that is identical to the glow plug relay, I would guess it doesn't burn up as often since it probably has less current go through it but I could be wrong. Still like my 7.3l

[@spudth]

you got the good relay. the auto zone ones are good enough to get you into the worst part of winter and quit.....

[@coreyregier5546]

@@spudth We have long winters in this part of the world so a good relay I think is important

[@RodgerMudd]

What kind of test is that! The plug could be shorted and the light would still go on. You need to check the ohms to ground. Get a wiring diagram and you will know what the second wire goes to. Got to love you would be back yard would be mechanics.

[@daniellugaro445]

I'm going to give it a try , but on the dashboard the light that says wait to start doesn't come on

[@FernandoDiaz-ip1df]

How to take off a strip bolt on the pan for the glow plugs ?.