Welcome. What does the Wait to Start light act like? Does it come on immediately every time for at least a second, or is it delayed a few or more seconds?

 

It usually takes a few seconds for the light to come on, and once you hear the grid heater stop running it starts up perfectly.

 

The light should come on IMMEDIATLEY WITH THE KEY TO ON. ECM is toast.

 

Just wanted to note on my 98.5 it will not start if the WTS light isn’t on. Once the light is on it’ll have fuel and/or grid heater will cycle. If you hop in while the engine is still warm and start cranking it wall not start till the light turns on.
But yeah it is an ECM issue, but it’s been doing this for the past 17 years, so not a big deal whatsoever. Has 260k on it now. Good tough ranch truck.

 

17 years, I would have think you would ahve saved and found a decent price ECM. Mine even did that for a coupole ofyers and woudleven come adn go, Finally got worse and would not run right either. Lucky is always good.

 

Yeah, just always considered it normal. In a sorta way “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. I read on here or somewhere awhile back that it was the ecm, but I’m not nervous cause it still does it’s job. Just wanted to put that out there

 

Ha ha but it sure messes with relatives/neighbors that hop in😂 if I forgot to mention it “again “. Not sure if the pump is dry or not if somebody doesn’t wait for the light and cranks away till the light pops on in 5 or 10 sec.

 

That is my statement from here in several posts. Not meant to apply here, it broke, just not all the way, yet. Your luck is better than most so go for it, hope you have alternate transportation. You brought it up so I am guessing you have your own concerns. I drove mine like that until two things happened, firstit got worse, then I found a good used one for half the price of a rebuilt Still going 8 years alter on used. 760k total.

 

Yeah I think it boils down to reliability. But as for me it would be a waste to replace the ecm unless it was completely shot. I wouldn’t say it was “toast” either, but if you’ve got good friends and alternative means for transportation then it’s no big deal.

 

Go swap out your relays around

 

A failing ECM is like continuing to put water in a leaking radiator or drive with wheel bearing going that has not burnt and spun off yet. All gambling.

 

If you keep an eye and ear out you can find them for a couple of hundred bucks .
Bob @ Smarty says the later the model the better and he can reflash them to your vin .
Maybe others can too?

 

I’m sure a reliability issue is a concern for some folks. I’m just pointing out that it’s not a freak out if you have this issue..

 

ECM.