Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Need some help troubleshooting my Grid's.

[Got Smoke?]

From Got Smoke:

GS, I am following the link in reply #8, which is your repair of this problem. Thought you'd like to know you're helping another member in trouble. John

I can't take all of the credit as TDR member Crabman led me to this repair himself, he was the one who actually figured out where to get replacement relays. I just did the write when I repaired mine.



Still glad to know I'm helping others out that!

 

[J Shocik]

Ordered the relays today. We'll see if these get the alternator needle "dancing" again. :-laf

 

[crabman]

Got Smoke,

Thanks! Glad to have helped!

crabman

 

[J Shocik]

Waiting for that brown truck...STILL!

I'm starting to wonder if the great deal on the relays was worth the aggravation I'm getting from UPS in delivering the new relays. Allied did a great job in getting the things shipped, except having UPS botch up the process. Now, I'm waiting for that brown truck... with a rock in my hand... :-laf

 

[Signal73]

Just remember, no matter how anxious you are to use that rock, apply sparingly AFTER the relays are in hand!!

 

[J Shocik]

FINALLY!! Relays!

UPS FINALLY found my house! Oo. The incompetent jerks! :-laf The relays are obviously beefier than the OEM's. I'm going to try something a little different in mounting, I'm going to mount the relays on a small strip of metal so I can securely bolt them down. I'm planning on removing the OEM's from the bracket as in the TDR instructions, then bolt my relays to the old bracket, & go from there. I'll be doing this tomorrow hopefully.

 

[Smokin Ram]

If you have a slow idle to a higher idle in cold weather maybe its the oil. What grade are you running, 15w40 or a 10w30, up here in canada where it gets real cold -30 celcius, the thinner oil is imparative, looks like your engine is working to turn the cold oil. Hope this helps

 

[Signal73]

man mine starts around 400rpms, then I bring it up to 750-800 with the pedal which is where it stays after about a Min. of warmup time. Im running 15-40 Rotella, its only been lows of 25° at night here too.

 

[J Shocik]

Finally!!

Finally got the relays in! When starting to disassemble things, I found one end of the fusible link broken at the relay. That explains the no power to one of the relays. To make a long story short, I had to replace the relays, and fabricate new mounts as the old one had corroded badly. Now you should see the alt. needle "dance"! Talk about beefier relays, I can hear these things from inside the truck clicking. I was able to replace the link end and got that working. No thanks to UPS. #@$%!



Smokin Ram, I've used Amsoil 5-30 the last 7 yrs and found my truck acts like Signal73's first thing on a cold AM. I believe the broken end on the link was my problem, but with things corroded as they were, I ended up having to change the relays. Everythings hunky dory for now...

Until the next challenging adventure with the CTD...

 

[McLaughlin]

Have a question, if the grid heaters aren't working will that cause poor fuel economy when driving a lot of short trips? My 97's fuel economy went for 17 - 20 to 11 - 13 a month or so ago. I've checked for air leaks, replace fuel filter, drained seperator to check for water, and the like without finding anything(going to check the timing next). But on reading this thread realized I haven't been seeing the "needle dance" either.

 

[Signal73]

As far as I know, They only assist in cold weather, cold engine starting. I hear that they shut off after a certain (not sure what temp) intake air temp is reached or a certain speed 20MPH or so is reached. Your lousy hit in fuel mileage may be due to your area switching over to winter blend diesel.

 

[McLaughlin]

As far as I know, They only assist in cold weather, cold engine starting. I hear that they shut off after a certain (not sure what temp) intake air temp is reached or a certain speed 20MPH or so is reached. Your lousy hit in fuel mileage may be due to your area switching over to winter blend diesel.

Thanks. Following the post, I was working on the truck and noticed the grid heater does seem to be cutting on and off. I could very well be the blend, didn't have the problem until late Sept or early Oct.

 

[J Shocik]

What were you working on? That seems like a lot to lose just by the winter blend. I usually lose about 2-3 mpg's, nothing like you say. I'd check all hoses on the turbo system & see if you're losing any boost.

The "dancing needle" is seen at first start-up on cold temps below 59 deg. F.

 

[McLaughlin]

What were you working on? That seems like a lot to lose just by the winter blend. I usually lose about 2-3 mpg's, nothing like you say. I'd check all hoses on the turbo system & see if you're losing any boost.

The "dancing needle" is seen at first start-up on cold temps below 59 deg. F.

Was working on the front end steering trying to get rid of the wander. Just installed a 3rd gen trackbar and DSS. Today I'm rebuilding the tie rod ends and steering links with Lukes Links.



I thought my mileage drop was a bit steep also. Originally, I thought I got some bad fuel and when draining the separator, it seemed there was some water dumped initially which is why I replaced the fuel filter and used some additive. I've already checked the intake manifold and the rubber intercooler hoses (as best I could) and didn't find anything. I'm going to check my timing next to see if that has changed and if I can figure out how, the fuel return line but I'm kind of shooting in the dark since I really haven't studied the fuel system (yet). The fuel mileage issue is next on the list of things to resolve(other than some minor upgrades).

 

[J Shocik]

I was wondering about the rubber intercooler hoses,as I spoke with another TDR member a few mos. ago & the problems he had were with a hole he found in the intercooler hose. With the fuel mileage issue, I'd try a few more tankfulls to get a better average of things, then go from there. Maybe it was an intermittent problem like a load of bad fuel.

 

[McLaughlin]

I was wondering about the rubber intercooler hoses,as I spoke with another TDR member a few mos. ago & the problems he had were with a hole he found in the intercooler hose. With the fuel mileage issue, I'd try a few more tankfulls to get a better average of things, then go from there. Maybe it was an intermittent problem like a load of bad fuel.

I'm inclined to follow your suggestion regarding the additional tanks of fuel, its gotten cold out and I'm not fond of freezing when working on my truck. On the latest tank, I've gotten 270 mi on 5/8 of a tank used. I'm kind of wondering if maybe my intercooler doesn't have a pin-hole leak in the condenser. The intercooler fins have been pretty well beat up (truck has been in two fender benders that I know off - I wasn't driving either time - but the fuel mileage problem occurred before the last fender bender).

 

[isb360]

I am going to troubleshoot my sister's 96 truck and have pulled some great info off this thread... thanks to all.



One question, in case I missed it, where are the fusible links located?



Ok, one more question(s)... . someone (ABorchard) claimed to have used Ford starter relays from NAPA. Has anyone else used these? P/N?



Thanks much

Tim

 

[J Shocik]

The fuseable links are on the driver side battery positive cable, going down to the 2 relays. On my truck, one of the connectors rotted off the relay. I was able to crimp a replacement end on & keep the links, as they were still good otherwise.

I've heard of some members using the ford relays, but also heard they won't last long. Don't know if this is true or not... that's why I went with the relays fron Allied Electronics. Half the $$ of OEM's & still working good!! My alt. needle really "dances" now with the cold weather & all. :-laf :-laf