2003 FORD SUPER DUTY ignition

Fast start glow plug system
The glow plug system consists of:
•eight glow plugs
•the glow plug control module (GPCM)
•engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor
•barometric pressure (BARO) sensor
The glow plug system is
electronically controlled by the
PCM. The GPCM energizes the glow
plugs immediately after the ignition
is placed in the ON position, then determines how long the glow plugs
will be on according to the EOT and BARO sensors. The required time
for the glow plugs to be energized decreases as the engine oil
temperature and barometric pressure increase.
Engine cooling system
The cooling system contains an engine oil cooler which is mounted in the
center valley of the engine. The cooler’s function is to regulate engine oil
temperature.
Engine governed speed
The engine governor is controlled by the PCM. The PCM controls fuel
input to limit maximum engine speed. It will not, however, prevent
engine overspeeding resulting from downshifting at high vehicle speed or
by descending steep grades at too high a vehicle speed for the selected
transmission gear.
For maximum vehicle speed in various gears, refer toManual
transmission shift speedsin theDriving tipschapter. Do not exceed
3,600 rpm. Maximum engine governed speed is 4,000 rpm depending on
engine load. Excessive rpm can only be achieved by manually
downshifting at too high of a vehicle speed.
Operating the engine beyond the governed speed can cause
severe engine damage.
Diesel information
5

WAIT TO START
With the key in the ON position, the
WAIT TO START light will illuminate
if glow plug heat is necessary as a starting aid. Wait until the light goes
off before starting. The light should always illuminate briefly, when the
ignition key is in the ON position. If the light does not illuminate, there
may be a problem. Refer to theStartingchapter in this guide. After the
engine starts, the light should remain off.
WATER IN FUEL
During refueling, it is possible for
water-contaminated diesel fuel to be
pumped into your tank. Your vehicle fuel system is equipped with an
HFCM to remove water from the fuel. The WATER IN FUEL light will
illuminate when the ignition is turned to START (as part of the light
function check) and when the HFCM has a significant quantity of water
in it.
If the light illuminates when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, shut off the engine, then drain the HFCM. Refer
to theGeneral maintenance informationchapter for drain procedure.
Allowing water to stay in the system could result in extensive damage to,
or failure of, the fuel injection system.
Warning lights
8

STARTING THE ENGINE
Read all starting instructions carefully before you start your vehicle.
For temperatures below 0°C (32°F), the use of the correct grade engine
oil is essential for proper operation.
If your vehicle is equipped with a manual transmission, make sure the
parking brake is set fully before you turn the key. Depress the clutch
pedal and place the gearshift in the neutral position. The clutch must be
fully depressed in order to operate the starter. Do not press the
accelerator during starting.
If your vehicle is equipped with an automatic transmission, ensure the
gearshift lever is in P (Park) and the parking brake is set before you turn
the key. Do not press the accelerator during starting.
COLD WEATHER STARTING
Do not crank the engine for more than 30 seconds at a time as starter
damage may occur. If the engine fails to start, turn the key to OFF and
wait 30 seconds before trying again.
Do not use starting fluid such as ether in the air intake system
(see Air Cleaner Decal). Such fluid could cause immediate
explosive damage to the engine and possible personal injury.
Note:Do not add gasoline, gasohol or alcohol to Diesel fuel. This
practice creates a serious fire hazard and causes engine performance
problems.
1. Make sure all vehicle occupants have buckled their safety belts. For
more information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer toSeating
and safety restraintschapter in the owner guide.
2. Make sure the headlamps and vehicle accessories are off.
3. Turn the key to the ON position. When the WAIT TO START light
goes off, turn the key to START. (For Canadian vehicles, the daytime
running lamps will be on if the parking brake is not applied and the key
is turned to ON.)
4. When the engine starts, release
the key. The glow plugs will
continue to be activated for up to
two minutes after the WAIT TO
START light turns off. If the engine is not started before the activation
ceases, the glow plug system must be reset by turning the ignition key to
OFF.
Starting
10

5. After the engine starts, allow it to idle for about 15 seconds. (Do not
increase engine speed until the oil pressure gauge indicates normal
pressure.)
STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to OFF. To prolong engine life (after extended high
speed or maximum GVW operation), it is recommended that a hot engine
be allowed to operate at low idle for about 7–10 minutes which would
allow sufficient time for the turbocharged engine to cool down.
COLD WEATHER OPERATION
Changing to a lighter grade engine oil also makes starting easier under
these conditions. Refer toEngine oil specificationsin theGeneral
maintenance informationchapter.
At temperatures below–7°C (20°F), Number 2–D Diesel fuel may
thicken enough to clog the fuel filter. Your vehicle is equipped with an
HFCM which acts as a fuel filter/heater/water separator to keep the wax
melted which will help prevent fuel filter clogging. However, if the engine
starts but stalls after a short time and will not restart, the fuel filter(s)
may be clogged. For best results in cold weather, use Number 1–D Diesel
fuel or“winterized”Number 2–D Diesel fuel which has an additive to
minimize wax formation.
Your vehicle is also equipped with a bypass relief valve, located on the
fuel control module, which provides fuel flow to the engine if the fuel
pickup should become plugged by ice or wax. To allow this bypass valve
to function and avoid engine fuel starvation, it is recommended that,
during cold weather operation 0°C (32°F) or below, the fuel level in your
tank should not be allowed to drop below 1/4 full. This will help prevent
air from entering the fuel system and stalling the engine.
In cold weather below 0°C (32°F) your Diesel engine will slowly increase
to a higher idle speed if left idling in P (Park). As the engine warms-up,
the engine sound level will decrease due to the activation of
PCM-controlled sound reduction features.
Operation in snow
Vehicle operation in heavy snowfall or in dry loose snow that may swirl
around the front of the vehicle may feed excessive amounts of snow into
the air intake system. This could plug the air cleaner with snow and
cause the engine to stall.
Refer toAir filter restriction gaugein theDiesel informationchapter
and Engine air filter in theWarning lightschapter for more information.
Starting
11

IF THE ENGINE WON’T CRANK
Turn on the headlights. If the lights are dim, do not go on at all or if
when the ignition is turned to START the lights become dim or go out,
the battery connections may be loose or corroded, or the battery may be
discharged. If there is a clicking or stuttering sound coming from the
engine compartment when you turn the key to START, this may also
indicate a loose or corroded battery connection.
Check the battery connections at the battery posts, cable connection to
the engine grounding point and at the starter connection.
If a discharged battery is suspected, have it checked and corrected.
•For vehicles with manual transmissions, the clutch pedalmustbe fully
depressed in order for the starter to operate.
•For vehicles with automatic transmissions, the gearshift lever must be
in Park or Neutral in order for the starter to operate.
•Try operating the starter switch several times. Should the switch be
corroded, this operation may clean the contacts or make the switch
temporarily operable until you can reach the dealer.
•If all electrical connections are tight and you need assistance to start,
seeJump Startingin theRoadside emergencieschapter of your
owner guide.
IF ENGINE CRANKS BUT WON’T START
Prolonged starter cranking (in excess of 30 seconds) could cause
damage to the starter motor.
•Check the fuel gauge. You may be out of fuel. If the gauge shows that
there is fuel in the tank, the trouble may be in the electrical system or
the fuel system. If equipped with an auxiliary tank, be sure that the
tank control switch is set for the tank with fuel and not on an empty
tank.
•Leaving the ignition key ON for over two minutes without starting may
make starting difficult because the glow plugs will cease activation.
Reset the system by turning the ignition key to OFF and then back to
ON again.
Minor troubleshooting guide
40