Diesel Doctor

[PDOMINGUEZ001]

I just bought a 96 chevy silverado 6.5L turbo diesel with 199K miles. It runs well, but has trouble starting when in the morning when its cold out. When the out side temp is under 60 degrees. itwill only start when i plug the engine warmer up. Does anyone know what is causing this to happen?

[JohnC]

First thing I'd look at is the glow plugs. How long does the wait-to-start light stay on? What is the ambient temperature? (Are you waiting to start?)

[PDOMINGUEZ001]

My truck doesnt have a wait-to-start light. I live in Orlando Florida. Its about 40 degrees
in the mornings now. This is mu first diesel. How much does it cost to replace the
plugs? Is it easy enough to do myself?

[JohnC]

[quote="PDOMINGUEZ001"]My truck doesnt have a wait-to-start light.[/quote]

Well, maybe it doesn't say "Wait to start", but there's a light on the dash that tells you the glow plugs are on.

It may have a logo that looks like a curlicue filament. Wait until it just goes out to crank the starter.

It should stay on for 5-10 seconds at 40*.

[PDOMINGUEZ001]

doesnt have any strange light coming on when i turn the key but i wait about 20 seconds anyways.
The guy i bought it from said the computer scanned 1 glow plug needed replacement and thats why the
service engine light is on. Is the reason why its not lighting up because the plugs are bad? How much does
it run to replace theses and how many are there?

Thanks...

[JohnC]

If it's not lighting that means the glow plugs are not coming on. The '96 cannot set a code for an individual glow plug. They're all not working. That's your problem. Check the glow plug relay at the rear of the engine valley. Follow the glow plug harnesses back to find it. Bad relay or bad connections, most likely.