1994 Ford F-250 IDI Turbo repair question

Main fuses usually blow when something like this happens, so check those, other more serious issues can be alternator, anything electronic in the vehicle. You might be money ahead if you have you favorite shop check it over. When it gets colder you will have trouble starting it if the glow system is not 100%.

Thank you! I think I definitely have a glow plug problem. When I went to shut it off the other day, I heard some clicking, or popping, like a live wire was loose, or something. I hope it's just glow plugs. I started it the other day and drove it about 50 miles, but left it idling when I wasn't driving, for a combined total of maybe three hours, and it ran ok. I had to do the glow plugs myself last time because I no longer have a favorite mechanic and have been ripped off numerous times. I'm an old guy with arthritis, so getting around tight corners under the hood is a bit tougher than it used to be. I'm in a new area and don't know anybody. I went out for coffee this morning and stopped into a shop to inquire about it, and they don't work on old trucks, and definitely not old diesels. I was here last fall and actually took the truck to a guy who claimed to know what he was doing, but I could tell from my conversation with him that he knew nothing about old glow plug systems (even though we know they're really pretty simple). Well, in the end, this guy was an impersonator and couldn't even fix a simple fuel leak from the fuel filter, because he couldn't find it. Oh my! I have a good manual and will do my best. I know I can fix the glow plugs. I have some aftermarket connectors and wiring that will work. I'll buy new quality plugs if I need them, but beyond doing the glow plugs, I'll consult the manual and do my best, so any advice anyone has, I'm all ears. I appreciate this response and will absolutely check all my fuses. Thank you so much!

If your going from the old blade style glow to the bullet type just make sure you use the good solder and shrink wrap units not the crimp style, or if you have access to an updated used truck glow harness all the better. The older diesels glow system had a lot of controller problems and that’s what burnt out a lot of glow plugs. I started to bypass the controller with a push on release off button that you just drill a hole in the dash and wire it into the glow plug relay, push and hold for 10 to 15 seconds and crank it over and you were off, none of this afterglow stuff until the engine reached a certain temperature. Once a diesel starts it will stay running as long as it gets fuel and air. Might blow white diesel smoke for a bit but it will clear up shortly.

Hi again, and thanks for your answers to my questions. I have the 1994 Ford F-250 with the 7.3 L IDI Diesel Turbo. I believe I damaged my electrical system when installing my batteries. I have done what I can. Checked the fuses and they were ok. The batteries started the truck but when I checked them after I returned from a drive, I checked them with my multimeter and they don't appear to be charging. I am also noticing an electric clicking sound, and I think it's coming from the alternator. Is there anything specfic that I should know about buying a new alternator? A particular brand, etc. I am also noticing a burn on one of the battery cables. My plan is to look for a mechanic to inspect the electrical system and likely replace the battery cable and the alternator. Could the batteries have been damaged too? Questions are: Is there a specific alternator; and could I have damaged my batteries, because they are new! Thank you for any advice you can give me!

Alternators usually don't click unless you have a diode plate that has went bye bye,if so the alternator will be very warm to the touch all the time as long as the batteries hold out, the thing is that the alternator will charge the batteries while it is running so you need to find someone that knows what the heck they are doing when testing the charging system. As far as a brand of alternator.... I've had good luck with Autolite and Bosch but only in new, not rebuilt. Now if you fond one of those good shops they might be able to rebuild your stock unit if the Stator is not bad,if it is then replacing it is the best thing to do. Hope I've answered some of your questions.