Problems with my first Truck

Check all the glow plugs before you replace the controller. The controller requires 8 functioning GP's in order to work correctly. Even just one burned out will give you starting issues.

Testing glow plugs with a test light will confirm a bad one (no light), but continuity does not guarantee a good plug. If you have a battery charger with an ammeter, you can use that to determine that the GP you're testing is actually drawing power. Only do this for a second or two, as most modern engines use 6V GP's that are pulsed with 12V for a quick warm-up. It might be worthwhile to replace all of them- buy them from the dealer, not all GP's are created equal. I learned this the hard way with a 7.3 Ford. Spend the extra $ and do the job once- espescially since several plugs on that engine are almost impossible to see, much less change.

A 6.5 with a properly working GP system should start clean with no missing or white smoke. I looked at one in '95 when they first came out, and it was clean from a cold start in winter. The exhaust hardly smelled at all and didn't burn your eyes.

I once had a Brush Bandit 12" chipper with a 110HP 4BT Cummins that a customer wanted to use on a winter day. It started in about 5 seconds at 6* F. with no starting aids at all. I probably should have put him off, as those cold temps. are really hard on the hydraulic system until it's warmed up.