I am trying to start my 7.3 diesel . that has been sitting a couple years. can hear the fuel pump. but wil not fire. Can I use a small amount of starting fluid to see if it will fire. If I remember correctly there was something about starting fluid and diesel.
Any suggestions

Thank you

 

with sitting for that long, have you changed the fuel bowl filter and/or checked level of in also level in HPOP? Made sure bowls' filling up with fuel?

 

Everything Timmy said plus...

First are you absolutely certain that the batteries are FULLY charged and they are both good under load? The PCM has to see about 10.5 volts while cranking to start. Don't use starting fluid...glow plugs and ether don't play well together and, I bet if you were real lucky, you could get the motor running backwards.

If the batteries are good, then I'd make sure the glow plug relay is actually working. Jump the two big lugs across the glow plug relay for about a minute (use a big screwdriver) with the key on. Then try to start. The relay might just be bad and the glow plugs aren't working at all because of the relay.

 

"glow plugs and ether don"t play well"

that is awesome!