I had my 99 7.3 idling while I was jumping the wife's mini van. First it dropped out of high idle by itself (never did that before), then while it was idling it just quit. I tried to restart it (engine is warm) and it would not start. I notice that the "Wait to start" light in the instrument was not coming on when I would turn the key off then on. I recently changed the glow plug relay and she she was starting just fine. Any ideas?

Thanks, Jim Dawson

 

check the number 31 fuse or 30 it is the one for the fuel blow heater , i powers a lot of things, pcm.

 

What Matt said....
Then, after you find the bad fuse...disconnect the fuel bowl heater connector, replace the fuse and try and see if the engine starts. Post back which fuse it was to confirm that the fuel bowl heater was the problem.
Good luck!

 

It was fuse 30, I just changed the fuse the turned her over and she started right up. I did not disconnect the fuel bowl heater. Does the fuel bowl heater run continuously or does it turn on and off? Could I still have a potential problem?

 

Sounds like they got ya covered just to clarify though you want to:

A. Check if number 31 fuse is blown.

B. If so, disconnect the electrical plug on the back of your fuel bowl

C. Replace the fuse with a new one

D. Turn key on (look for WTS light) and try to start the truck.

What happens is the fuel heating element in your fuel bowl shorts out and blows that fuse. Like what was said above it also controls things like your PCM. Depending on where you live having a fuel bowl heater is not critical but you will want to replace it sooner then later. Heres a helpful link on one of those for a good price and it comes with great instructions.

Replacement O-rings for Ford Diesel Engines

 

If it shorted out once it will short out again.

 

Could something else have shorted out this fuse? By the way it was fuse #30 in my 99 PSD.

 

No. Unplug the electrical connection on the back of the fuel bowl filter, replace the fuse and then start your truck up. It won't hurt anything to run the truck with that plug disconnected.

 

Thanks to everyone for all of the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

it did short again and pop the fuse, I disconnected the bowl heater and have not had a problem since, anyone have a good online source for parts? going to need the rebuild kit and heater for the fuel bowl.

 

Replacement O-rings for Ford Diesel Engines

it was posted a few up on the thread good luck with it