My brother has a 1997 f-250 powerstroke diesel and his glow plugs don't come on with the turn of the key instead he has a pshbutton the previous owner installed to use. I need some help on this issue please. I told him he would be better off with a cummins but o well

 

There is nothing wrong with the system that he has, it is probably more reliable than still having the glow plug controller. He should come up with a rough mental table of how long he should run them before starting the truck based on the outside temp. Take a look at some of the powerstroke forums for how long they run based on temperature with the controller and use that as a starting point.

 

thats what i told him but he won't listen to me. O well

 

That system is probably better. It should allow him to keep the glow plugs lit while turning over for easier starts.

 

ya, I will tell him, Thanks

 

I heard the glowplugs on the power strokes can stay on for up to 2 minutes. Even if the engine is running???
I own a 01 7.3 F-350 and i believe this is true, as the headlights will stay quite dim for about 2 min if it is below 0* F. Kinda like our Cummins do with the grid heater... My power stroke also has a air heater in the intake horn, but Its small, and i dont see it pulling that much juice compared to 8 glowplugs. unless they come on and run at the same time..

 

ya, i love our grids. He has to crank the engine twice to get it to fire on a cold day

 

I'd rather crank my engine two times than to use ether to start it when it just won't turn over.