I didn't get a click with the key in the run position when I disconnected the solenoid. Of course the truck wasn't running, does that make a difference?

 

sounds like either your FSS is not getting power, or the solenoid is going bad on ya.

 

if you need the truck on the road cheap, i bet it is the ignition. So here is what you gotta do, grab a three foot section of wire and see if you can pull power from the ignition terminal of the glow plug controller relay. Check it with a test light but if you are getting power there and if so, run a jumper wire from there so that when the key is on, the fss is active. You turn the key off, it shuts it off. I rigged a toggle switch for a friend six months ago to eliminate the need for a new ignition and it is still working like a charm haha. to do that, just ****** power from the same terminal and route it to the cab, the other to the fss switch. flick it on, flick it off. Thats the 3 dollar fix. haha. If that doesnt work or you dont have power to it at all then there is a problem. When you tested it, the key was turned to the on position right? when you test again, to make sure, get a multimeter or test light on there.

 

Like Rupe said if it clicks then it should be ok but nothing is 100%. If you look at your pump you will see where the top of the housing comes apart. Your shutoff sol is fastened to the top. The post that your ignition feed and the post that the gound strap is are the studs that hold the sol. to the top of the pump. You can take that off and you will your gov. linkages. You can start your motor with it off. Fuel will free flow out of the pump but it will run fine. You will have to shut it of with your finger but will be able to see all the mechanism in there. There should be one or more of the screws with some wax type stuff in the heads so they can tell if it has been tampered with under warranty. If you have no problems with your fuel inlet system. You take a jumper wire and hook it straight to a battery from your pump to eliminate any electrical problems with the truck. No luck then take a look. If anything it is interesting if you haven't ever looked inside one. If you are pulling in air you may see it while it is running with the pump top off. Shouldn't see any bubbles. Don't worry you can't hurt anything and nothing will come out after you....Say it is your pump there are a few things that can go wrong in there. The Gov. may not be going to full fuel when it is shut off sounds most likely.....One thing to have around all the time is a piece of 3/8 fuel line with a primer bulb off a boat in the middle. You can prime a system with one. You can pressurize a fuel inlet system and look for leaks. A leak there would mean you can pull in air there or you are...One of the most used "tools" I have had for 20 years......My 94 one ton smokes like air is in the fuel when I restart warm or hot. Let it sit for a couple of hours and it starts clean with no smoke at all. Should have looked at it a long time ago but I haven't....Another thing to keep in mine. Say you have your fuel system apart. Instead of jumping in and priming it up see if the motor will pick up fuel from thew tank and go ahead and run. You will have to crank it a little bit and even may have to charge your batteries but if it pulls fuel on up then your inlet system is in good shape or it wouldn't pull the fuel up and run....These things can be goofy. A problem on one truck may not effect another one the same way.

 

Wow! Thanks for that informative thread. I will try that this weekend.

Hey Wreckinball, how about a pictorial of the previous thread? That would be a HUGE help!

 

Ok, well I solved the problem. I traded the truck for a 92 F-250 super cab 4x4 with a 7.3 and ATS turbo. I am super happy with the trade, went from 220K to 160K miles and I got the auto I wanted! Question though, who makes the ATS turbos and is it a good one to have? The PO said he turned the pump up (whatever that means?) and it gives it more power. The truck sure does move!! Thanks for everyones help in this matter. I at least got a little wiser in regards to diesels.

 

well that sure fixed it lol.
congrats!
ATS is the maker.Advanced Turbo Systems.
he turned the fuel up on the ip,to mix with the extra supplied air the turbo produces.caution should be taken when supplying the diesel with more fuel.a pryometer should be installed to watch the exhaust temps.
(you have some searching to do in the idi section now. click search,then select advanced search,select the pre-powerstroke section,and then enter your keyword,then click search.)