[jonathansfather1]

Just joined. My wife and our special-needs son live on a small farm in west-central WV. I have an '03 F150 5.4, an '06 F250 6.0, and an '01 F350

My problem this morning is with the '01 F350. Been difficult to start past 2 days. Will start with a shot of ether (please don't shun me as I know it's bad to do, but the 250 is down with a bad brake caliper and I have to haul water for my family).

My guess is the glow plug relay. Here's my question: About 2 yrs back I replaced the glow plug relay with a Made in China unit. Went bad after 6 months or so. Replaced the China unit with a Motorcraft OEM and that was about a year ago.

Do any of you reckon that something else, in line, might be bad? Say a glow plug relay module or a glow plug controller? My guess is that a new relay with cure the starting problem, but probably won't cure the short life problem with the glow plug relays on this vehicle.

Many thanks, in advance, for any help.

 

[Captain Sampson]

Just joined. My wife and our special-needs son live on a small farm in west-central WV. I have an '03 F150 5.4, an '06 F250 6.0, and an '01 F350

My problem this morning is with the '01 F350. Been difficult to start past 2 days. Will start with a shot of ether (please don't shun me as I know it's bad to do, but the 250 is down with a bad brake caliper and I have to haul water for my family).

My guess is the glow plug relay. Here's my question: About 2 yrs back I replaced the glow plug relay with a Made in China unit. Went bad after 6 months or so. Replaced the China unit with a Motorcraft OEM and that was about a year ago.

Do any of you reckon that something else, in line, might be bad? Say a glow plug relay module or a glow plug controller? My guess is that a new relay with cure the starting problem, but probably won't cure the short life problem with the glow plug relays on this vehicle.

Many thanks, in advance, for any help.

Go 6.0L Power Stroke Technical Info
Look up troubleshooting a no start by bismic. Very simple, thourgh troubleshooting guide.
i also quite sure the glow plugs are not causing your no start condition.

 

[1970something]

he is dealing with a 7.3, not a 6,0.
the stock glow plug relay are crap anymore. i use stancor relay.

#16-009 White-Rodgers (Stancor) 586 902 Monster Glow Plug Relay

White-Rodgers 586-902 Heavy Duty Monster Glow Plug Relay

www.dieselorings.com

not cheap at $56 but it will last forever so in the long run it IS cheaper than replacing 4-5 stock relays.
the one in my 02 has been in it for 17 years, the on in my 88 has been in it for over 25 years.

 

[Jax]

Just joined. My wife and our special-needs son live on a small farm in west-central WV. I have an '03 F150 5.4, an '06 F250 6.0, and an '01 F350

Welcome to PSN!

What @1970something said -- I put one in both my F350s.

That said, with so many fords, do you have a scanner?

1. Get FORScan scanning software for Fords (free) and an OBDII reader. Greatest troubleshooting tool ever! I do not have financial interest in this tool. I just love it.
$12 for the 1-year PC license (not necc) and $7 for the android. OBDII reader $20-$60.

Torque Pro scanning app is on the google play store and I believe also on Apple's.

2. DO NOT throw parts at it . . . if you must, then make them Motorcraft parts. Ford diesels are quite particular about their sensors.

3. Come back with the codes. Lots and lots of smart people here!

 

[jonathansfather1]

Thank you, Captain. Because I'm new to your forum, do I just type in the search box "troubleshooting a no start" or type in "bismic"? Forgive my ignorance.

he is dealing with a 7.3, not a 6,0.
the stock glow plug relay are crap anymore. i use stancor relay.

#16-009 White-Rodgers (Stancor) 586 902 Monster Glow Plug Relay

White-Rodgers 586-902 Heavy Duty Monster Glow Plug Relay

www.dieselorings.com

not cheap at $56 but it will last forever so in the long run it IS cheaper than replacing 4-5 stock relays.
the one in my 02 has been in it for 17 years, the on in my 88 has been in it for over 25 years.

Thank you, sir, for the heads up about the Stancor relay. Just clicked on the link you provided and ordered one. I ordered once from DieselORings.com, got a new fuel relief valve and heavy duty rings for the fuel bowl on this same '01 F350 7.3. Stopped the leaking. $56 is cheap for this HD relay. Ordered one for my '06 F250 6.0. I paid $69 at AutoZone for the Made in China relay back in 2021, and $65 for the Motorcraft OEM a year back on ebay. Preciate your help, 1970something.

 

[jonathansfather1]

Welcome to PSN!

What @1970something said -- I put one in both my F350s.

That said, with so many fords, do you have a scanner?

1. Get FORScan scanning software for Fords (free) and an OBDII reader. Greatest troubleshooting tool ever! I do not have financial interest in this tool. I just love it.
$12 for the 1-year PC license (not necc) and $7 for the android. OBDII reader $20-$60.

Torque Pro scanning app is on the google play store and I believe also on Apple's.

2. DO NOT throw parts at it . . . if you must, then make them Motorcraft parts. Ford diesels are quite particular about their sensors.

3. Come back with the codes. Lots and lots of smart people here!

Thanks for the welcome, Jax. I do not own a scanner. Captain Sampson sent me to "troubleshooting a no start by bismic" and I read his info about getting a scanner adapter for my old Samsung android phone and then downloading the program. He also recommended the FORScan. Is there a particular OBDII reader you recommend or just one that will Bluetooth connect to my android? When I looked on Amazon, all of these type scanner had a USB connection for a computer or tablet. Again, sir, thank you for helping me. Me and mine are on a limited budget with most of our money going to help our boy. I'm retired and do some row-crop farming here. Spend most of my time hauling water, and keeping the three Fords, and a couple old gas and diesel tractors, and a '68 Case diesel hoe/loader running. Takes me longer than a shop mechanic but I usually get 'em fixed with help from fellers like you all. God bless for helping me.

 

[Captain Sampson]

Thanks for the welcome, Jax. I do not own a scanner. Captain Sampson sent me to "troubleshooting a no start by bismic" and I read his info about getting a scanner adapter for my old Samsung android phone and then downloading the program. He also recommended the FORScan. Is there a particular OBDII reader you recommend or just one that will Bluetooth connect to my android? When I looked on Amazon, all of these type scanner had a USB connection for a computer or tablet. Again, sir, thank you for helping me. Me and mine are on a limited budget with most of our money going to help our boy. I'm retired and do some row-crop farming here. Spend most of my time hauling water, and keeping the three Fords, and a couple old gas and diesel tractors, and a '68 Case diesel hoe/loader running. Takes me longer than a shop mechanic but I usually get 'em fixed with help from fellers like you all. God bless for helping me.
check the 7.3 section for info on no start. I totally missed you were talking about your 01 truck.
[/7.3L Power Stroke Technical Info

 

[Jax]

Thanks for the welcome, Jax. I do not own a scanner. Captain Sampson sent me to "troubleshooting a no start by bismic" and I read his info about getting a scanner adapter for my old Samsung android phone and then downloading the program. He also recommended the FORScan. Is there a particular OBDII reader you recommend or just one that will Bluetooth connect to my android? When I looked on Amazon, all of these type scanner had a USB connection for a computer or tablet. Again, sir, thank you for helping me. Me and mine are on a limited budget with most of our money going to help our boy. I'm retired and do some row-crop farming here. Spend most of my time hauling water, and keeping the three Fords, and a couple old gas and diesel tractors, and a '68 Case diesel hoe/loader running. Takes me longer than a shop mechanic but I usually get 'em fixed with help from fellers like you all. God bless for helping me.

Cannot recommend one, choose one not too cheap or it will quit on you.

Once you get the codes, don't throw parts at it. Of the codes thrown by my 99 and 99, about half are because of wiring to the item, not the actual item.

 

[1970something]

Obdlinkmx Bluetooth is a good adapter, but expansive at over $100 last I looked.
Basically and OBD bluetooth adapter will work with both forscan and torque pro programs on that Samsung android stupid phone

 

[jonathansfather1]

Cannot recommend one, choose one not too cheap or it will quit on you.

Once you get the codes, don't throw parts at it. Of the codes thrown by my 99 and 99, about half are because of wiring to the item, not the actual item.

I understand, brother. Thank you.

 

[jonathansfather1]

Obdlinkmx Bluetooth is a good adapter, but expansive at over $100 last I looked.
Basically and OBD bluetooth adapter will work with both forscan and torque pro programs on that Samsung android stupid phone

Ok. Will get one recommended. Thanks, brother.

 

[jonathansfather1]

My bad, Captain. I didn't mention it specifically. When you get old like me (3 weeks from 65 and Medicare), you miss a lot, brother.

 

[1970something]

My bad, Captain. I didn't mention it specifically. When you get old like me (3 weeks from 65 and Medicare), you miss a lot, brother.

3 weeks from 65.....
you still a baby.
i used to ride my pet brontosaur to skool......uphill both ways........in the snow!!!

 

[jonathansfather1]

3 weeks from 65.....
you still a baby.
i used to ride my pet brontosaur to skool......uphill both ways........in the snow!!!
View attachment 208321

I'm a bustin a gut, here laughin, 70s! I shore don't feel like no baby these days. Anyways, Dad made it to 86, maybe I got 20 more years. Hey, brother, could you help me out again with another tech question? The temp gauge on that old '01 F350 quit a workin a few days back. Not overheating. No bubbles in the coolant/AF resoirvor. You reckon its just gone bad after 22 years? Be easier to fix or just buy an aftermarket gauge? Thanks. You r a hoot, brother!

 

[1970something]

first i would do is check the plug on the temp sensor.
the sensor is on top of the water pump next to the thermostat neck. remove the plug and short the wire to ground. the gauge should peg to full hot. if it does, than replace the sensor.
if the gauge does not move, than it may be the gauge is bad.
but to be honest i have never seen a gauge go bad, it is always the sensor unplugged, or the sensor itself is bad.

 

[jonathansfather1]

first i would do is check the plug on the temp sensor.
the sensor is on top of the water pump next to the thermostat neck. remove the plug and short the wire to ground. the gauge should peg to full hot. if it does, than replace the sensor.
if the gauge does not move, than it may be the gauge is bad.
but to be honest i have never seen a gauge go bad, it is always the sensor unplugged, or the sensor itself is bad.

Ok. I remember that sensor as I replaced the water pump (Dayton), upper and lower hoses (Gates), thermostat, tensioner and serpentine belt about 4 years back. Never could get the fan shroud back on. Anyways, thank you for the good information. Do I need the key on to short the wire to ground? With all your knowledge, 70s, I'd say you do have a year or two on me. Thumbs up, brother.

 

[1970something]

and by the was, i was just busting your chops.
i am knocking on 67's door. my brain tells me i am still late 30's, but my body tells me i am late 130's.
if i had known i was gonna live this long, i would have taken a lot better care of myself!!
dad made it to 90 and would still be here, but he passed of kidney failure. mom is now 93 and still going strong.

yes key on in run position to test gauge and sensor.

 

[jonathansfather1]

and by the was, i was just busting your chops.
i am knocking on 67's door. my brain tells me i am still late 30's, but my body tells me i am late 130's.
if i had known i was gonna live this long, i would have taken a lot better care of myself!!
dad made it to 90 and would still be here, but he passed of kidney failure. mom is now 93 and still going strong.

Well God richly bless your Mama to make it to 100. Tell her if she does, Willard Scott on the NBC Today Show will put her face on a Campbell's soup can on national TV. My brain's more like early '50s. Body bout like you. late 130s. My knee braces, steroid shots, heart and stomach pills is holdin me together. My wife threatens to trade me in for a newer "model." I've overdone it all my years as well, '70s. lifted way too much too many times, jumped off truck beds too many times, and pushed myself in 90-degree weather when I should've found shade. Guess weez just too old hangers on. Thanks, again, brother. Big help to me.