Come along with Eric O. at SMA as he takes a look at the glow plug system on this '99 Ford F-350 to see what is causing the hard start on this 7.3 powerstroke turbo diesel.
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50 thoughts on “Ford 7.3 powerstroke diesel hard start – cold”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 63jeepj20 says:

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

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tim Brink says:

    I thought you were going to wheel in a old oscilloscope like we used in HS auto mechanics in the 70's.

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars stephen houbary says:

    ok so put a new relay on and still no power to the far terminal. Have on the passenger side big terminal but not the driverside

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jake RawSon says:

    Thank you

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nate Loomis says:

    I wouldโ€™ve loved to see the cold starts

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob Haag says:

    Doesnโ€™t hurt to check the resistance of the glow plugs if you suspect theyโ€™re not strong, i think spec on those are under 2ฮฉ 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 itโ€™s isolated and switched through the ground side

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Daniel Lugaro says:

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

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Scott Lato says:

    The part that was bad was the part he was testing at the end or are the relays in the fuse area… Yes I'm and dumb ass tree guy who knows he's not a mechanic so please save the hate but love to fix what I can and shop terminology is almost foreign language to me would love an answer of any kind

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MCatwar says:

    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

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars POPS says:

    Great one, I have a 7.3. No monkey business, you are like a dog on a bone. I wish I was in your neighborhood and Not stuck out here wacko California.

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars jorge fonseca says:

    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

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jessica Chapados says:

    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

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ethan's Profile says:

    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.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars JOSE DEL CID says:

    Nice video thank you for taking the time. God bless you ๐Ÿ‘Œ

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Aaron bilger says:

    7.3 idi he said was 6 volts is wrong its 9 volts ZD9 glow plugs is what i use stock

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Barber says:

    Not trying to be that guy, but that doesnโ€™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 Iโ€™m constantly changing the relay which leads me to believe I have one or more glow plugs bad.

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SuperVV2010 says:

    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 YouTube revenue. Gotta check the merch, too. What would the dealer repair dept. have cost for this??!!

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Carl Thornton says:

    OK!!

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ReCMoD says:

    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.

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars cheekybastard99 says:

    Is this the big 6.0 or big 7.3 ?

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Caton Parelli says:

    Get a 6.0, and you'll never have that shit. 7.3s are cold blooded

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David evans says:

    I donโ€™t understand or dislikes itโ€™s nothing but excellent knowledge thank you for your time,!! Eric your wicked good๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿ‘Œ

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rob J says:

    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.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shane Bryan says:

    I have a question for you my friend that is off topic of your video however I would greatly appreciate a reply the issue that I'm having is I have a 02 F-350 with a 7.3 L diesel the heads were cracked and they also did not have a fuel return line from the factory as far as I could tell now that donor heads were out of a 96 model 7.3 it was set up with a fuel return limes since mine did not have a fuel return I just used a plug and plugged the return off would this cause me to have issues with the engine or performance issues

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bill Ramsey says:

    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.

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Johnson says:

    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

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Shane Bryan says:

    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.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Frank Meade says:

    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.

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Snyder says:

    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.

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars James Winter says:

    Thanks and much appreciated.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Whats Right is Right 505 says:

    Great vid thank you

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M H says:

    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

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mac - D Oien says:

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚
    Great diagnostic tips thanks a bunch.

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jacob dawson says:

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

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! Virian Bouze says:

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

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars adventureoflinkmk2 says:

    What the hell was that noise when Hannah kept turning the truck to RUN

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars larescats says:

    Very well put together video very well explained easy to understand thank you for you intelligence ๐Ÿ˜€

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Beast says:

    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.

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean P says:

    Awesome, thanks buddy.

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Andy Lucas says:

    Some brake clean would have taken care of those crusty terminals.

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TrEv- daWG says:

    too bad the relay he was testing was actually for the grid heater…not the glow plugs… fail

  42. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars airdexfly says:

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

  43. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 1911loaded says:

    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

  44. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars yancy m says:

    When you say open circuit does that mean a wire came off the top of the glow plug? It wont light up if its not connected to the glow plug correct?

  45. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Oickle says:

    "Scope on a rope" . . . Funny!

  46. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ragweeds says:

    Cant find a plug in on my 93 7.3 do all have them?

  47. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brandon Ruhl says:

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

  48. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TheTacktishion says:

    good one

  49. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sm Ms says:

    ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘

  50. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars TurboFlush says:

    Easy fix.
    Ever seen the AC clutch stuck on during cranking? AC works fine otherwise.

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