I'm a new member, and have a vexing 7.3 PowerStroke turbo-diesel question.

My recently acquired 1999 Ford F-350 SuperDuty (260k) is cold blooded to start...has been since I got it. I came across a forum a couple days ago saying what I needed was a new glow plug relay. After reading the forums, it made sense.

With the original relay, the glow plug idiot light would go on and off as one would expect. In fact, according to that light I was able to cycle the glow plug startup sequence repeatedly. When it did start, it was a labored exercise, and I'm now assuming I actually muscled it to start with no help from the glow plugs.

I replaced the relay today, in pretty cold weather, to test that theory.

The idiot light went on and off as expected...I didn't attempt to cycle it again. It wouldn't start, although it fired sooner than expected, especially in this cold weather. I backed off the starter and turned the key all the way off. When I clicked the key forward, the glow plug light didn't come on at all, which it always had in the past (with the previous relay).

I figured this was due to the glow plugs truly working now, and (still) being hot enough to do their job....but it still wouldn't start. In fact, I never did get it to start.

One possibly explanation is that the fuel has gelled. Another possibility is that I flooded it, because until now I didn't realize you aren't supposed to get anywhere near the gas pedal when starting a fuel injected diesel.

It's supposed to get into the 30's this weekend, so I'll try again. Any advice for getting this beast started, or further diagnostic hints on the aforementioned trouble?

Thanks for anything you can offer.

- AJ