Engine doesn't want to start!
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Ottawa 50% of the time
Engine doesn't want to start!
Since I bought my 1990 Ford F-250 7.3 IDI it has always taken a lot of cranking to start, and I just thought it was glow plugs, so I put up with it until I had time to change them.
I changed them today, but it still takes about 15 seconds of cranking before it eventually splutters into life.
I thought maybe it was water in my fuel filter, but the "WATER IN FUEL" light does not illuminate at all...
I changed them today, but it still takes about 15 seconds of cranking before it eventually splutters into life.
I thought maybe it was water in my fuel filter, but the "WATER IN FUEL" light does not illuminate at all...
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 2
What brand of glow plugs did you put in?
I will assume that you replaced all 8?
How many miles on the injectors, injection pump?
You could have an air intrusion.
Does the engine idle rough on the first cold start of the day? Does it smoke when started? If so what color?
I will assume that you replaced all 8?
How many miles on the injectors, injection pump?
You could have an air intrusion.
Does the engine idle rough on the first cold start of the day? Does it smoke when started? If so what color?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,347
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From: Kville, ohio
in addition to what 94idi said, how about the batteries, test the batts, check for good clean connections and grounds on the cables and check the cables themselves for corrosion, and finally check the starter these engines need to turn over at a fast enough rpm otherwise there hard to start
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,061
Likes: 2
in addition to what 94idi said, how about the batteries, test the batts, check for good clean connections and grounds on the cables and check the cables themselves for corrosion, and finally check the starter these engines need to turn over at a fast enough rpm otherwise there hard to start
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Ottawa 50% of the time
Right, well I'm just off to bed (late night!), got a hard day of chillaxin' tomorrow!
But before I buy new batteries, I've had an idea!
I'm going to go out now, take both the batteries out of my F-250, and put them on charge in the garage overnight, and maybe when I go to start the motor up at about 8AM, she will fire up easier!
Ah, that is what I love about having a 1990 Ford F-250 Custom with no options - No electricals to get broken by taking the batteries out!
I don't even have to worry about a radio code, as even if the radio had a code (don't know), it wouldn't matter, it hasn't worked since I bought the truck, I've just kept it there to make it look like it does!
I am hopeful though, there are plenty times I've had weak batteries and a good overnight charge kicks them back into life again, oh and a top up of the water!
But before I buy new batteries, I've had an idea!
I'm going to go out now, take both the batteries out of my F-250, and put them on charge in the garage overnight, and maybe when I go to start the motor up at about 8AM, she will fire up easier!
Ah, that is what I love about having a 1990 Ford F-250 Custom with no options - No electricals to get broken by taking the batteries out!
I don't even have to worry about a radio code, as even if the radio had a code (don't know), it wouldn't matter, it hasn't worked since I bought the truck, I've just kept it there to make it look like it does!
I am hopeful though, there are plenty times I've had weak batteries and a good overnight charge kicks them back into life again, oh and a top up of the water!
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,347
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From: Kville, ohio
dont forget to test the chargeing system also. last year my starter itself was getting weak, it would take 10 to 15 seconds to get my truck started. then my old starter locked up, i replaced it, and its been starting on the 3rd crank ever since
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,493
Likes: 3
From: NY
Like everyone above stated, diesels need heat to start, if there is no heat, it will not start. It is the starters/batteries job to spin the engine over fast enough to generate enough heat to start. If it spins over too slow, it will not start simply because of the lack of heat.
Mine has been cold starting on the 2nd crank for a while and warm starting on the first one.
Mine has been cold starting on the 2nd crank for a while and warm starting on the first one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Right, well I'm just off to bed (late night!), got a hard day of chillaxin' tomorrow!
But before I buy new batteries, I've had an idea!
I'm going to go out now, take both the batteries out of my F-250, and put them on charge in the garage overnight, and maybe when I go to start the motor up at about 8AM, she will fire up easier!
Ah, that is what I love about having a 1990 Ford F-250 Custom with no options - No electricals to get broken by taking the batteries out!
I don't even have to worry about a radio code, as even if the radio had a code (don't know), it wouldn't matter, it hasn't worked since I bought the truck, I've just kept it there to make it look like it does!
I am hopeful though, there are plenty times I've had weak batteries and a good overnight charge kicks them back into life again, oh and a top up of the water!
But before I buy new batteries, I've had an idea!
I'm going to go out now, take both the batteries out of my F-250, and put them on charge in the garage overnight, and maybe when I go to start the motor up at about 8AM, she will fire up easier!
Ah, that is what I love about having a 1990 Ford F-250 Custom with no options - No electricals to get broken by taking the batteries out!
I don't even have to worry about a radio code, as even if the radio had a code (don't know), it wouldn't matter, it hasn't worked since I bought the truck, I've just kept it there to make it look like it does!
I am hopeful though, there are plenty times I've had weak batteries and a good overnight charge kicks them back into life again, oh and a top up of the water!
What kind of radio does it have? The factory ones like these?
If the fuse is fine, if you wanna keep the "original look" like I want, I went to Langlois Sound Performance & Detailling, at 279 McArthur Ave. and bought this after market original style radio for 40$.
I bought that cause the original one in my F150 is an AM/FM only. No tape, and I love my tapes
And amen on the Custom no options
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Freshman User
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From: Ottawa 50% of the time
Good news! I put the batteries on charge from about 2am until 9am, then hooked them up again, and after one glow plug cycle I cranked it over, and it turned really fast!
And better still, it started within 5 seconds of cranking, it usually starts after about 10 seconds!
So charging my batteries overnight cut the starting time in half. Result!
And better still, it started within 5 seconds of cranking, it usually starts after about 10 seconds!
So charging my batteries overnight cut the starting time in half. Result!
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa 50% of the time
What kind of radio does it have? The factory ones like these?
If the fuse is fine, if you wanna keep the "original look" like I want, I went to Langlois Sound Performance & Detailling, at 279 McArthur Ave. and bought this after market original style radio for 40$.
I bought that cause the original one in my F150 is an AM/FM only. No tape, and I love my tapes
And amen on the Custom no options
If the fuse is fine, if you wanna keep the "original look" like I want, I went to Langlois Sound Performance & Detailling, at 279 McArthur Ave. and bought this after market original style radio for 40$.
I bought that cause the original one in my F150 is an AM/FM only. No tape, and I love my tapes
And amen on the Custom no options
When I think about it, I've got a box of about 150-200 cassettes (mostly country music, some rock and stuff) in the garage, so if I do get my radio/cassette working, I could sort out the best ones and put 'em in the glove box
It may just be the fact that the cable isn't plugged in right, or has snapped or something.
I'm good with electricals, so I'll take it out later today and have a look.
You've inspired me to fix it now
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