There is a local truck on Craigslist that I have been looking at. It ran but now it doesn't and I was wondering if anyone could take any guesses at what is wrong with it. I was also wondering what I should offer if I were to buy it, as I'm inexperienced in the world of vehicle purchasing. The truck:

1997 Ford F-250 desiel 4x4 crew cab

Thanks

 

there is literally like 100 things, do you have any info that would narrow it down?

 

It could be a lot of things keeping it from starting.

You will probably need something to pull codes off of it and read live data (Torque Pro and Android phone, or AE software on a laptop). The truck has an OBDII connector, but basic code readers don't talk the special Power Stroke language.

Then follow this chart and get back with the forum. It lists a lot of the "guesses".

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Byb...w?pref=2&pli=1

The odometer on this generation of trucks doesn't go to 400,000. Once the first digit hits a 3, it never changes, so the next mile after 399,999 goes back to 300,000. Not saying this truck is like that, but it could be 400,000 or 500,000 etc.

Truck looks like it has had a life of abuse so expect many surprises. The price isn't too high, but I am not the kind of person that needs a truck that looks pretty. I still wouldn't pay much more than what it would be worth by parting it out. If the transmission has problems, it will be almost double the asking price to get it fixed.

It will all come down to how much money do you have to spend on the truck and what you expectations are for what you want it to be. Maintenance on a Diesel isn't cheap and if you don't do the maintenance then it goes back to the pay now or pay more later philosophy.

At the top of the "1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel" forum in the "Mod / Tech / Diagnostic FAQ" then to "Tech / mod links" then to "Truck buying info(Super Duty based, most can be used on OBS):" you will find:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...questions.html

It will give you some diesel specific things to look for before buying.

Kevin

 

I wouldn't buy a $2000.00 truck that didn't run unless I knew what the problem was, or at the very least was familiar with that type of truck and wasn't afraid to dive in and fix it myself. If it was as simple as a cam sensor, the seller should've taken the 5 minutes to replace it so folks could test drive it.

 

Kevin and John have given good advice. How close to the truck are you? I'd look t see if you get a wait to start light when the key is first turn to the run position. If you get no light, it could be as simple as a blown fuse from the fuel heater.