Hello all,

I have a freind who has a 97 7.3 truck. It had been sitting for a while. They took it to a shop to have a general tune up done. IE oil/filters etc

The truck was then brought home and was running great. He took it out on his property and had it running in a field then it just quit running almost like it ran out of fuel. He had it towed back to the house. There it sits. I've looked over a ton of stuff but am not finding the problem. The truck cranks but no smoke out the exhaust. No check engine lights on of any kind. The wait to start light is coming on. The RPM gauge jumps up to about 300 rpm when you crank. I've tried unplugging the ICP and it does the same thing.

The shop tried to tell us something about the high pressure pump and they want $1800 to fix it but they haven't actually looked at the truck.

Can someone give me some step by step things i need to check to figure out why it's not firing?

Thanks

 

Welcome to FTE !
Pull the fuel filter and see if there is fuel in the fuel bowl

 

I haven't pulled the filter however after cranking for a little bit i can push the schrader valve and diesel squirts out. Also i can open the water drain and fuel drips out under the truck does that help?

 

Check fuel pressure at the Schrader valve. You can use a stick style tire gauge on the schrader valve while someone cranks it over you need at least 20psi for it to start

 

ok i'll check that. Are there any other simple items like that i can check. It's quite the drive to his place and with the weather cold out here i would like to make the best of the trip.

 

You can pull the IDM (injector driver module) and shack it to see if it has water in it. It's on the driver side fender it look like a computer

You can also try and change the CPS (camshaft position sensor) it at 11 o'clock if the crank pulley. If you can get one from ford

 

Ok i'll check for water in the IDM

With the CPS i do get movement up to about 300rpm when cranking. does that help iliminate that as a possible issue?

 

Check oil level on dipstick.

 

OK so i'm going to check

1. pressure at the schrader valve when cranking
2. check for water in the IDM
3. oil level on dipstick (also checking on brand and type of oil used when and if they changed it)

 

Tac moving while cranking isn't 100% you could still have a bad CPS They are known for some crazy symptom

 

any way to test the CPS other than just replacement?

 

No way to test having a spare isn't a bad thing. They go out without any warning


You can also check the tin nut on the IPR to see if its loose or have falling off

 

speaking of this IPR connection (first what does IPR stand for)

Is this a little electrical connection down in that IPR area that plugs in from the back side and is a pain to get to. This plug moves side to side.....should it do that?

 

IPR= Injector Pressure Regulator it controls the oil pressure to the injectors

The plug will have a little movement but if the whole solenoid is turning then you should tighten the tin nut

 

In the pic I posted if you look to the bottom in front of the black bracket you will see a allen head bolt remove it and see if you have oil in there it should be around a 1/2" from the threads