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No-Start: Sputters while cranking

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Old Feb 23, 2018 | 12:57 PM
  #1  
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No-Start: Sputters while cranking

Guys

My Ex won't come to life. It's cold, but not real cold (40s, high 30s maybe).

Symptoms:
  • Was running ok, with a slight drop-off in fuel economy over last tank, sat for maybe 4-5 days, now won't start
  • Cranks with ok speed, hooked up beefy battery charger/jumper to ensure full charge, no difference.
  • Every 1-2 seconds it kinda sputters, then back to cranking.
  • Tach reads 0 RPM
  • ICP connector had oil in it. Cleaned it, pulled it, neither made any difference.

I'm assuming b/c the tach is dead it's a CPS.

Anything else to chase down?
 
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Old Feb 23, 2018 | 01:08 PM
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Does plugging in the block heater help?

Have you tested the GPR? Should have 12v constant on one large lug and 12v only when GP's are firing on the other large lug?

Hutch/Harpoon mod done?

What is the fuel level?

Do you hear the fuel pump prime when you first turn the ignition to on?

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge?

Is there oil the dipstick?

Is there oil in the HPOP reservoir near 1/2" from the top?

Do you have at least 10.5v when cranking?

I cannot confirm for sure, but I think only certain years will allow the tach to move while cranking, but I could be wrong.
 
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Old Feb 23, 2018 | 09:28 PM
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ICP sensor may not be the cause this time but it's a time bomb when its got oil in the plug
 
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 10:41 AM
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Just an update: it failed to start two mornings in a row with temps in the high 30s, but then fired up the following day in the afternoon with temps in the 50s.

Drove it up to my parents' place in the mountains and made sure to leave the block heater plugged in overnight (lows in the mid-20s) and it fired right up in the morning. Parked it at the ski slopes (20s all day), fired right up in the afternoon.

It's always needed longer cranking times and fires up pretty rough if it's been sitting for a while (~1 week or more). I think I had some combination of whatever causes that plus the cold...?

So: what'd cause rougher/slower starting after it's been sitting?

Haven't had a chance to check voltage while cranking, will do that soon.
Swapped glow plugs ~6mo ago, no codes for them (would the GPR trigger that?)
 
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Old Feb 26, 2018 | 10:46 AM
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Excursions have a glow plug control module (GPCM) and that would be my first suspect. You may be able to read those things with a code reader.
 
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