05 F-250 no wait to start light

handtm · February 3, 2009

truck came in custormer says that the glow plugs aren't working. there no codes, when you watch dataloger the glow plug pids show that they come on and stay on for what seams to be the right amount of time, but the light in the IC never comes on. how ever the light dose come on when doing the glow plug test and while doing a bule test.

checked wireing and performed sysmtom diag test which led to pin point test AF. all which led to nothing. called hot line and they were no help they guy there couldn't give me anything new to try other then to watch sensors to make sure that they all read the same ( MAF, EBPA, BARO, ECT, EOT, IAT, and IAT2 ) when done they all read the same temp after a cold soke.

any help is great

thanks

Keith Browning · February 3, 2009

A few things come to mind, does the truck have problems starting? If the customer is simply reporting that the wait to start indicator is not coming on you need to establish that. You need to be aware that the glow plug module monitors the system and during normal operation should set a DTC and illuminate the check engine light if there is a circuit problem with any glow plug. Also, the glow plug indicator light is controlled by the PCM and does not indicate actual glow plug operation.

I recommend reading the introduction to pinpoint test AF if you haven't already.

handtm · February 3, 2009

Iv read the intro to pinpoint test AF and understand how the system work the light dosn't come one but if yo wait about 10 to 15 sec. the truck starts fine. also Iv watched the glow plug pids and they say that the system is working. there is no DTC's in any system that would point to a problem with the light, but the light dosn't come on. it will come on while doing a KOER glowpug self test or a bulb check on the IC. the light dosn't come on when you first turn the key on

slim · February 4, 2009

It sounds like the glow plug system is working correctly and that you need to perform diag on the instrument cluster. Go to section 413-01 in the workshop manual. If you don't have codes in the PCM of the IC then perform the diag for wait to start indicator in the symptom chart section. It will probably lead to replacing the PCM. That may or may not be right but at least you can say you followed the procedure.

FordMastertech · February 5, 2009

Make sure you check all the fuses on this truck. I have been down this road before. Shop manual always seem to lead to the PCM and never mentions checking for power. The glow plug light will come on when commanded using IDS even when the fuse is bad.

Bruce Amacker · February 5, 2009

Good catch, and look for MISSING fuses, also. Don't ask.....

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Jim Warman · February 5, 2009

If all else fails, go to section 413-01 in the WSM. Under Diagnosis and Testing, there is a symptom chart. The concern "The wait to start light is always/never on" will lead you to PPT S.

Good luck.