This is my first post and my first major problem w// my truck. I have a 1999 7.3 PSD w/ the 6 speed manual transmission and 118,000 miles. For the last few weeks the truck has not wanted to start on its own. Three weeks ago, while in Wyoming, it quite while driving down the road. (Granted, it had only been started less than five minutes earlier after sitting a few hours) After spending two days trying to get it started, I took it to a shop that primarily deals w/ the big trucks (Ford said it would take 2-wks to get to it) where they changed the fuel filter (it had 15,000 miles on it) because it had “collapsed”

Three days later, while in South Dakota, the truck again would not start. No ford shop around so again called a “Big Truck” diesel mechanic. They ran the “codes” and found a fault with the cam sensor, which they replaced.

The truck ran fine for a week while in Michigan, however on the return trip home to Oklahoma the water pump started leaking. Finally limped home but the first time I tried to start it at the house, it wouldn’t start again. I shot a little started fluid into the air filter box and it started right up. Ran rough for a little while, but after getting warm it ran fine. However, it did not want to run “like normal” a little boggy while towing our 10,000 lb. trailer.

I took it into a Ford shop here and they ran the codes and said it need a new cam sensor wiring harness ($750.00 for the part plus labor) but they could not tell me if it would fix the starting problem. They also reminded me about the water pump. I fixed the water pump over the weekend, and blew out the cam sensor plug. The truck started right up, the first day.

Now, it is back to not wanting to start w/o a little starting fluid. I have had the “codes” ran on it twice this last week. Each time they read it, they get different problems registering. Once it was the exhaust pressure sensor, once it was the speed sensor, once it was the exhaust sensor. The problem is, after it the codes are reset it doesn’t give the same code error twice.

The jest of my problem it that it does not want to start cold. The engine will crank all day long, but never fire up. White smoke does blow out the tail pipe most of the time, but not always (when I try to start it). I have not replaced the wiring harness for the cam sensor because I’m not sure that is the culprit. I have traced the wires from the cam sensor to the firewall and have not found any break, hot spots or discolorations.

Has anyone else had this kind of problem and how did they fix it.

Thanks,

Okiepacker

 

ok i'll take a shot at this one. first of all I feel your pain with starting problems. I had a similar problem that could not be traced either. It did not go as far as your problem as far as reading differend codes ever time you tried to pull them but any way here is my 2 pennys worth of advice.

Did you check your glow plug relay, injectors, glow plugs. It sounds to me that this might be as simple as just a glow plug relay but I don't know.

My truck would not start after sitting for about 5 hr. in warm weather and I thought it was for sure the glow plugs but it turned out to be the relay. To check if it is your relay. When your truck will not start have a friend put a screw driver across the glow plug relay terminals and if it starts than that is your problem. Or you can use a light tester to check it also. This would not explain the running rough problem that you have but could solve the not starting problem. You can also check the resistance on you glow plugs to see if you have a bad glow plug again this would not cause the rough running problem.

I hope this help. I am by no means a diesel mech, but this is just the easy stuff that could be causing you heat burn.

Nate

 

If you like your truck NEVER squirt starting fluid into the airbox. Yes it would likely start up, and YES, it can do very costly damage to the powerstroke engine.

Things that make these trucks not start:

Low battery voltage - number 1 reason for none start, it will crank, but not start.

shorted, dead or otherwise not functioning Cam Sensor - they can go any time, In 3 months one of my trucks went through 4 of them.

non functioning Glow plug because of dead plug, broken wires or Non functioning glow plug relay.

Blocked fuel filter, restricted fuel filter, no fuel, wrong fuel.

If it will start when explosives are sprayed into the airbox, then it almost certainly is the glow plug cct somewhere. But you may cause worse problems squirting things...


Theo

added:

If you have a block heater in your truck, plug it in overnight, and see if it will start then. If it will your glow plugs are not doing their job.

T

 

Guys,

I'm having a starting problem as well with my 97 PSD. About every 10 days (I drive it daily) it happens and only after it has been running in very warm weather.

My mechanic has checked the glow plugs and replaced the controller and cam sensor. It started fine in his shop but about 10 days later I was stranded. Both batteries are less than 1 year old.

My problem is still unresolved...I'll change the fuel filter today and see if that solves it.

As far as using starting fluid, I've done it on occasion. I've heard all the warnings but my mechanic, who's opinion I trust, says I can use the starting fluid in a pinch if I squirt a very small amount...(less than 1 second) in the air box. If you hear that loud rattle when it fires, you've sprayed too much. His 2 cents, for what it's worth.

Skip

 

It still not starting. Friday night I plugged it in. I tried to start it Saturday, again it would crank but not fire up. I left it plugged in through Tuesday morning and tried to start it a few times each day. Sunday I replaced the cam sensor (again) and the fuel filter. While the filter cap was off, I had my son turn the key on and it filled the canister, thus the electric fuel P/U pump is still working.

I bought two batteries this last July from Cat, thus I don’t think it’s a lack of electrical power.

Any more suggestions?????

(No, I won't use any more starting fluid.)

 

After much mashing of knuckles, I think the problem has been resolved. I finally gave up trying to fix it myself, after two cam sensors, fuel filter, temporary change of batteries, and leaving it plugged in for three days. (When the neighbors see you plugging your truck in, in August, they really start to snicker. Especially the anti-ford ones.)

Anthony, the closest guru I could find and still afford, retraced the entire wiring harness again. Unlike my self who tried to do it in the truck. He took the whole harness out and started looking at each wire. He found two wires that were grounded to each other. One was a cam sensor wire and the other was for a sensor that regulates, senses the oil pressure prior to starting. The two were both functional, however the main brain couldn’t tell which way was up. The two wires were located under the turbo, and it’s his opinion that the heat from the turbo may have had a lot to do with the colored insulation wearing thin between the two wires.

The jest of it is, the simple wiring was causing the problem…

Thank you all for your help. I do appreciate it.

 

Okiepacker, thanks for letting us know the outcome. I'm thrilled for you that you've got it sorted out and have a relieable PSD again. And it also gives the rest of us something to check for if this ever occurs to our trucks. Now get out there and drive.

 

And make sure you always know where to find Anthony ...