voltage meter returns to normal charge as soon as motor starts,in warm weather starts great but one heck of a time in cold .

 

Most common failures are the glow plug relay,andalso canbe engine/harness connections/connectors burning at the valve covers.. Look for bulging at each side of UVC plugs..The glow circuits are the outter most pins on each plug...

 

Try replacing your glow plugs (Motorcraft ONLY!).

 

I have a 99 with the same issue. Have you found a fix?

 

i have been having trouble with my 1996 f250 7.3 and i found out it was glow plugs and a cam position senser (CPS)