My last truck was a 7.3 and I replaced the relay myself. It is located on top of the motor I think back kind of by the fire wall. It looks like a selinoid on a gas rig. One way to check it is to turn your key to on as if you are going to warm the glow plugs and take a wrench and connect the...
I am also new to the site. In regards to the 96 blowing white smoke. Have you looked into the glow plug relay. I had a 97 and my relay went out causing it not to start and blow white smoke during cranking. There is way to bypass the relay to test it to see if it is bad.