97 PSD died while Driving now won't start
 

Hey everyone I'm a new member but a long time ford truck owner but this problem I am having is starting to get to me. I was driving down the road and all the sudden the truck went down to idle. I tried giving it gas but that just made it start to choke itself out or so it seemed so I just let it Idle and then it died. I tried to restart it but all it did is turn over. I had it towed home I check my fuel, fuel filter, oil,batteries,hooked up a OBD II computer scanner no faults manufacturers or generic I'm getting a reading on my tach as I try to start it so I don't think it is my Cam sensor so at this point I have exhausted my knowledge. I had a 91 Diesel and I knew it inside and out but this powerstoke is a whole different ball game. Thank for any help you all may be able to give

Lotta miles on the truck? I suspect a dead electric fuel pump going from what you are saying here.

the truck only has 162000 miles on it. the engine is a ford rebuild and was done 50,000 miles or so ago not to sure what the guy before me did w/ it. I check to see if I was getting fuel into the fuel filter bowl and it was pumping like normal

Chances are if your truck died going down the road it is your Cam/Crank position sensor. If it turns over fine and does everything normal accept for starting thats your problem. That sensor tells the computer where the motor is rotation wise and if it goes dead the truck wont know when to fire the injectors. Mine did the same thing, but I replaced it and everything has been fine. I was going down the road and it flat out shut off in the middle of the highway. I had the clutch in trying to start it again, but it wouldnt so I called the local high preformance diesel shop 1 mile up the road. They brought out the part, put it in and it cranked right up.

If this sounds like the same problem as your truck I guess I'll try the cam sensor probably is what is wrong anyone with any more advice???

IdahoCowboy,
I had the same thing happen to me last summer in my 97 powerstroke. It was the cam sensor and the fuse to it. Dont get the sensor from Ford, go to an International Navistar parts place if you have one around there. Check the fuse in the fuseblock out under the hood over the drivers side wheelwell. Take the old blown fuse (if it is) with you so the parts people will know what size it is. Hopefully this will get you going again.
Stroker350
Mount Sidney, Virginia

If the tach doesn't move when you try to crank it over, it's the Cam pos. Sensor

ok guys I have changed out mycam sensor and a couple fuses that I found that were blown but I still have nothing. It has plenty of power turning over, But I have noticed that it seems to shake alot as it is turning over the tach is reading fine just as before. Itested the battieries and they came out good. I am at a loss I was wondering if it my be the accelerator pedal sensor (or whatever its called) but I thought all that would do is make it Idle. thanks for any other help you guys may have...

IdahoCowboy,
I'll check with my friend, he's pretty good with the Powerstrokes. Did you check the oil? If it's too low, it won't start I've heard, I think it has something to do with the high pressure oil pump to run the injectors or something. Keep us informed, hopefully someone on here will figure it out for you. If I find out anything I'll let you know-I know it's a pain when something is wrong with the truck!
Rick

Thanks, yeah I have checked the oil and I changed it not to long ago but I am thinking about changing it again who knows it could be anyhting with this truck!!

thanks,
James

hmm confusing, but you are getting fuel for sure??

Which fuses were blown? You need to check the oil level in the high pressure oil pump itself, not the oil pan. The small allen head plug on the drivers side top of the HPOP is where you check the level, it should be within 1" of completely full.

Maybe this will help. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=256842

Is the allen plug on the pump a reverse thread or is mine just stuck anyone know??
also where do I plug in to check the oil pressure coming out of the pump?

take a fuel pressure test and see what you have.

Ok I have tested my HPOP and it is pumping like normal I checked the oil level in the pump and it was at the top i have yet to test the fuel pressure anyone know what the fuel pressure should be. I am getting fuel into the filter bowl but I really need to see if the pressure is correct. I am starting to think that it may be my PCM anyone have any other thoughts on this?? any help would be wonderful.
thanks again, JP

Fuel pressure on a stock system is about 54psi.

Im thinking it sounds like your IDM (Injector drive module)

is that something that I can change out and is it expensive?

The IDM is responsible for converting your 12 volt power to 120Volt DC current to power the injectors ........ If the IDM fails you get problems sounding just like the one you're describing ....... From the Ford dealers the cost is around $800.00 ......... You may find it cheaper at the International Dealer .......... but you may also find one dirt cheap at a bone yard or on E-bay ....... Have yours checked first to find if this actually is your problem before shelling out some major bucks ........ the IDM on my 95 PSD is located on the inside of my drivers side front fender near to the plastic fuse box ..... Its a square silver metal box about maybe 8inches by 6 inches by 1 1/2 inches.

Do I have to take the truck and have it all tested together or can I just pull out the IDM and have it tested or can I even test it myself? Also I thought I would get a Code on the OBD II scanner if that went out. I know It has a failure code of P1298 among many others Any thoughts??

You can pull it out and have it tested at a Ford service dept, it has 3 retaining screws and a screw holding down the wiring harness ...... Or even if you have a friend with a ford diesel truck that is willing to plug into your IDM and start his engine to see what happens..... My IDM went out and I never got a code from it.

I'll Try that and see what happens I'll keep you all updated Thanks again.
JP