Ok so Im working on a 1985 f250 6.9 diesel. i had replaced the alternator and i had the battery lead grounded when i put the battery cables back on. (Rookie mistake, I know) things spark, fuses pop and all that good stuff.

My problem is now the darn thing cranks but it wont start and i have no instruments, dash lights, door dinger. also i have no fuse box diagram so im S.O.L.

So im assuming that there is a main fuse or a fusible link somewhere thats blown and i am sooo stumped!!!!

things that work:
starter
headlights
marker lights
tail lights
blinkers/ hazzards
power locks
power windows
clock
radio
theres power at the interior fuse box

 

Unfortunately I gave my 86 wiring manual (should be pretty close) to Archion for his 86 F150. I have completely rewired my 86 to later wiring. You have a wire to the injection pump top cover that should have power whenever the key is on ignition. Are you getting the signs of a significant power draw when the key is turned on? If not, you are probably not getting glow plug heat. I can look at my AllData and see what I can help you with after you check those things. There are some diesel peculiar fusible links.

 

 

There is power to the wire on top of the injector pump.

The switch side of the glow plug relay has very low voltage (.3volts) but if I use a jumper wire to kick the relay over the glow plug light inside the cab comes on.

Still no start

 

Ok, be careful playing with that system, the glow plugs are 6 volt and the glow plug power relay is operated by a glow plug controller. The controller is screwed into the back left side of the intake manifold. It has several thermal contacts and a heater to time the glow plugs. Take one of the injector lines loose at the injector, all you need to do is loosen it a bit, when you crank the engine fuel should come from the fitting. If it does not, then take the return line on top of the injection pump off, you should get a pretty good stream of fuel while cranking.

Unfortunately, I can't remember if the IH Roosamaster pump uses the plastic governor weight retainer the GM ones do. It is a common failure on those pumps.

 

I have 12V at the glow plugs. Whats that about???

I haven't checked the injector pump yet but I'm assuming its fine. Whatever this problem is isn't mechanical failure, its purely electrical.

 

My guess is either a blown fuse or a fuse-link.

Nearly all the fuse-links are found connected to the starter-relay-solenoid located on the right fender.

If it is a simple fuse, it according to the list of accessories that you have lost, it should be a low-amperage fuse.

Lacking a diagram, simply pull the fuses one-at-a-time and inspect.


Make certain there is power to the shut-down solenoid AT the injection-pump when the key is ON.


Make certain that the glow-plugs are powering up when the key is first turned ON.


On the 1985, you can fool the glow-plugs into cycling by jumpering a wire to the glow-plug relay which is located on the right wheel-well and has a fattish RED wire from either the battery or the solenoid (I can't remember which); if it hasn't gotten mis-placed, there should be a black plastic cap over the two terminals that reads "DO NOT JUMP START HERE".

Remove that black plastic cap and you can test-light the little RED (I think) wire for power when the key is first turned ON; this little wire activates the glow-plug relay.

You should also here the relay "click".

If you are getting no action at the glow-plug relay, you can temporarily jumper across the two big terminals, give the plugs a few seconds to heat, and immediately engage the starter to see if it fires.


I am not saying they can't be 6-volts, but this thread is the first time I have ever read of the glow-plugs being 6-volts.

Everything about them has 12-volt power.


I hope this helps.

 

I am almost 100% positive that the 1985 I-H 6.9 uses a STANADYNE pump.

Someone enlighten me if I am wrong.

 

Roosamaster is Stanadyne.

 

Glow Plug Facts!

<table><tr><th>Beru Glow Plug Specifications</th><th></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr><tr><th><b>Type</b></th><th></th><th><b>GV 823 (ZD9)</b></th><th></th><th><b>GV 835 (ZD1)</b></th></tr><tr><td>Order Number</td><td></td><td>0 100 271 101</td><td></td><td>0 100 271 102</td></tr><tr><td>Thread Size</td><td></td><td>M 10 x 1.00</td><td></td><td>M 10 x 1.00</td></tr><tr><td>Length of Glow Plug</td><td></td><td>81</td><td></td><td>78.5</td></tr><tr><td>Reach</td><td></td><td>28</td><td></td><td>27.5</td></tr><tr><td>Hex</td><td></td><td>9.5</td><td></td><td>9.5</td></tr><tr><td>GP Nm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Connect max. Nm</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Volts</td><td></td><td>10.5</td><td></td><td>10.5</td></tr><tr><td>Amps</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Seat</td><td></td><td>Conical</td><td></td><td>Conical</td></tr><tr><td>Connection</td><td></td><td>Pin</td><td></td><td>Blade</td></tr></table>

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

The glowplugs come on when I jump the glow plug relay. Still no start

So this means I also have no power to the switch side of the relay from the ignition??

All fuses on the panel inside the cab are good. I'm thinking there's a main fusible link that's buried somewhere between the ignition switch and battery that's popped. Does that Sound right or am I way off?

 

Did you check the fusible links at the starter relay?

 

Sometimes they will burn out and look ok. Pull on them, if they stretch the inside is burnt and the outer insulation is all thats holding them together.

 

I have checked the voltage across every fusible link that I could find and they're good. it's the ones I can't find that's my issue lol

 

All I can tell is, I just gave my big set of 1986 wiring diagrams to my son, Archion. Unfortunately they are probably 11 X 17" or larger, so won't scan easily.