I acquired this truck two years ago and it worked great with the exception that on one occasion i went to start it, it turned on then shut down. I waited for 30 minutes before it started back up. On a second occasion i was driving when it suddenly just died. I again waited about 45 minutes when it started up again. Now again it started up then turned off and I haven't been able to start it up in the last two days. I have noticed that when it hasn't wanted to start the "wait""water in fuel" light cluster does not come on when I turn on the ignition. All the other instrumentation comes on with the exception of these. Anyone have this experience or can shed some light?
Thanks
Rick
97 Ford F350 7.3 Powerstroke, Automatic

 

Does it have a chip? Sounds like a symptom of a loose chip connection.

 

Yes, it has a bullydog 6 position chip. But I have had this problem happen twice before i installed this chip myself.

 

Give us more information on what it is doing when it won't start so maybe we can help: Is the tach registering when you crank it? (If not, then you have CPS problems) Are you getting any smoke? If so what color? Is it spinning over fast when you crank it? etc. The more information that you can give, the better it will be for poeple here to help you.

 

It has about 200rpms when i crank, it has no smoke coming out when i crank it, it is spinning over normal when i crank it. it rough idled when i started it last then it died, i tried to restart and it almost started. then after that the wts light and the water in fuel light wouldn't come on and now it just cranks normally but won't start. Temperature was in the mid 70s.

 

Check all your fuses under the hood and under the dash.

 

check your oil! had a buddy with your exact situation and his HPOP was low, it even cut out on him going down the road!

also if your oil is old, change it and add fresh clean oil to the HPOP. i find this solves more than half od the no-start problems out there!

-cutts-

 

Checked all the fuses they are fine. Did need some oil so I filled it up but do not know what the HPOP is. Now that i crank it though my "water in fuel" "fuel filter" lights come on when i crank it where they didn't used to before. The only light now that does not come on is the "Wait to Start".

 

Filled the HPOP with oil and still won't start. Wait to Start light still not coming on.

 

Normaly when you have no "wait to start" light its a pcm power problem. Thats why I suggested the fuses. I would pull the chip and see what happens.

 

Well Folks, She's up and running. I was about to take the pcm off but decided to hook it up to the battery charger. I set it on start and the wait to start light came on and she started right up. I cleaned the battery terminals on both batteries and am charging them. Thanks for all your help as for I have gained valuable information.

 

I think I spoke too soon. After the charge I went back and again no wait to start light. Guess the PCM is next.