When I turn igition on my 88F-350(7.3 diesel), I have smoke coming from the 'glow-plug' relay(where the ground strap attaches from relay) when first turned on and while cranking engine.The wires do get hot and the insulation burns for a bit. The engine is also very hard starting after 24hrs,but tarts easily when warm. Any way to test the 'relay' before buying a replacement?
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If you can't pull the codes from the pcm it has either died or lost it's ground assuming it has power. I would try to get a wiring diagram and check both the power and the ground for the computer itself, because it is what turns on the pump and the wait to start light.
it sounds like a glow plug issue. perhaps a bad glow plug relay. I would think its the relay if the problem comes and goes. If it were a bad glow plug the problem would be constant. check for volts at the glow plugs next time the car acts up. If you find no volts, tap on the glow plug relay next time you turn the key on. This may cause it to activate. if so then replace relay
Check for battery to motor ground and battery to body ground for corrosion under mounting bolts. also check motor to body ground strap for corossion and overall condition. Bad ground can cause all sorts of problems. Also check all electrical connectors to glow plugs for corossion.
there is a glow plug relay mounted to the rear of the engine try jumping across it to run the glow plugs and see if it will start then (these relays fail quite often)
glow plug wire harness under valve covers often deteriorates causing no glow plug heating. The connectors and wire terminals are available from Ford as a kit or individually. Do not replace the harness. $600!
Still need the fuse panel circuit? Look in owner manual.
glow plugs use a relay too.
The relay should cost about $35-45. A common Ford Starter relay can be used in place of the official glow plug relay. All that is required is a relay with terminals that have 5/16 or 3/8 terminals and can carry about 150-200 amps. When all 8 glow plugs turn on, it draws about 150 amps is all. There are two relays for the 7.3 diesel. One energizes the glow plugs and the other energizes a heating element in the air intake. That one is used to help eliminate white smoke while warming up and is turned on and off by the engine computer. It is usually only called for when the temperature is 20 degrees F or lower. Otherwise only the glow plug relay works.
They make two relays that will fit but only one will work. Call 772 283-8999 ask for John, He will tell you more than you really want to know, the dude is about the best diesel mechanic I know. You can email him at [email protected]. Tell him Peppi told you to contact him. If John is not available ask for Ron, he is better at GMC products ( no one is perfect ) but he can help you as well. They are real good guys and will take the time to help and can get parts for anything. Hope this helps
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