Hard starting Hard starting Ford diesel 7.3 Power stoke 2000 Cranking over just doesn't seem to fire, but runs fine once running.

Hello, there are several things as likely to cause this problem, either spark or fuel.

The glowplugs are needed to make a Cold engine start. You can take a testlight to the glowplug wire of several cylinders and it should light when the engine is put to the Run position. The glowplugs get their power from a Coldstart Timer and it may have an additional relay.

The Coldstart Timer is the part which clicks and makes the lights dim when it is cycling. It also controls the dash indicator and makes the dash light work when the glowplugs are ready. The timer changes the amount of time it cycles according to outside and engine temperature. If you have noticed the "Ready" light vary its timing, the timer is working.

Say you have no spark at the glowplug wire, work backwards to the Coldstart timer and see if it is getting power. Power in, none out, bad timer. No power in, work backwards for a Relay or fuse.

Now if you have power at the glowplug, remove several and test them with Battery jumper cables. Put the NEG on the base and touch the POS to the stem. You can melt them if you overdo it. The longer it takes for the glowplug to glow, the worse it is. Once you find a good glower all tests are relative to the good one.

Fuel problem. If the glowplugs test out, check the fuel. Long start times can mean the fuel drained back to the tank and has to be pulled all the way up front. You can unscrew your fuel filter and see if it is topped off or empty. Then you need to test the lines from the fuel filter back.

It is also possible an internal Solenoid in the Injector pump is sticking. A light tap before starting can indicate this problem if it starts better after tapping the pump.

Thats about it. I hope you find my Solution useful.