Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Problems with Buzz Test

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 12:01 AM
  #1  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Problems with Buzz Test

1999 F250 7.3L won't start. Turn ignition on connect AE and carry out buzz test, either no buzzing at all on all 8 injectors or intermittent buzz when testing all 8 and either no buzz or very slight buzz in individual injectors.
If I leave the ignition on for approx. 5 minutes and then carry out a buzz test, the buzz test passes and the truck will start.
What could be causing this? is there a sensor or something that has failed that is pulling the voltage down initially preventing the injectors to fire?
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 06:04 AM
  #2  
pirschwagon's Avatar
pirschwagon
More Turbo
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 717
Likes: 9
Explore closely the Wiring from the IDM. Known chafing issue at several points such as the D/.S Valve Cover.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 07:58 AM
  #3  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
No obvious chafing. New UVCH, injectors and glow plugs have been installed.
Putting a multi-meter across the battery shows 12.3V, on AE the battery voltage is showing 11.4V. After the ignition has been on for 5-10 miutes the AE shows a battery voltage of 11.7 - 11.9V
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 08:13 AM
  #4  
Wes444's Avatar
Wes444
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4,667
Likes: 1,455
From: Muskogee, Ok
Sounds like glow plugs and/or vacuum pump drawing down your initial voltage, but with healthy batteries it shouldn't prevent a buzz test.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 09:14 AM
  #5  
BWST's Avatar
BWST
Got Data?
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,263
Likes: 1,397
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Club FTE Gold Member
^^^Agree with Wes. 12.3V is low, even after a glow plug cycle. Your batteries, cables and grounds, alternator might need some attention.

How old are the batteries?
Battery cables in good shape? - check/clean both ends of each cable.
What is the voltage at the batteries at idle after 2 minutes (after glow plugs are off)? 13.8-14.4V would be a good range.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2020 | 12:18 PM
  #6  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
New batteries, and battery clamps. I'll check the grounds etc tonight.
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2020 | 10:18 AM
  #7  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
All grounding etc looks good.

On Friday morning tried to start, just turned over. So turned ignition on and left it on , was sat in truck and heard a click (relay etc) from behind the dash after 5 minutes of the key being on. Turned key off, back on and started immediately, took for a drive to town - truck is running awesome with the new injectors etc lots more power than before. Had to go to a few stores in town, wondered if i would have to wait 5 minutes to restart the truck each time. Went to multiple stores varying in times leaving the truck anywhere between 10 to 30mins and every time started 1st turn of the key and ran perfectly with no misfires etc.
What would be making the clicking sound behind the dash after 5 minutes and only affect cold starting due to not firing injectors (buzz test always fails up until this point)?
 
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2020 | 06:19 PM
  #8  
BWST's Avatar
BWST
Got Data?
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,263
Likes: 1,397
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Club FTE Gold Member
Do you get a WTS light when you first try to cold start the rig? Trying to see if the PCM is getting power and alive during this event.

The relays in the central junction box include the fuel pump relay - that one might be tired and clicking late, on the first start of the day.

Any white smoke during cranking when you try to cold start? Can you hear the fuel pump cycle for 20 seconds when you turn the key on cold? If no smoke, or no fuel pump sound, it could be that the fuel pump is not energizing.

You can pull the radio and check this relay. I think 99-01 have the fuel pump relay in the central junction box.





 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Sep 1, 2020 | 10:37 PM
  #9  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Jeff, yes get the WTS light, the fuel pump runs for 20 seconds and no white smoke when cranking.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2020 | 10:57 PM
  #10  
BWST's Avatar
BWST
Got Data?
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,263
Likes: 1,397
From: Lake Stevens, WA
Club FTE Gold Member
Do you have any codes? I would think there'd be something captured during that crank no start period.

I would see if you can identify the relay that is clicking after 5 minutes on that first start. Maybe pull the radio out or ash tray, and the cover to the central junction box, and also pull the dash knee panel and fuse box cover, so that you can put your hands on each set of relays, and feel which one clicks after 5 minutes. That sounds like a long shot as I write that out.

Could try logging FIPW during that first crank of the day, to see if the IDM and PCM are in sync - 0.6ms PW. Throw in the other useful PIDs while you are at it: ICP, ICP DC, RPM, and whatever AE monitors for battery voltage.

 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2020 | 09:41 AM
  #11  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
I'll give that a try Jeff, won't be able to get to work on the truck until the weekend though.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2020 | 05:20 PM
  #12  
BabsR6's Avatar
BabsR6
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Well, the trucks been sat there a while - been too busy to get some time on it, up until last week.
With batteries fully charged, meter was only reading between 11.4 & 11.7 Volts.
Removed front DS fender to gain access to IDM, carried out all the tests to check from IDM connector to injectors, all 8 injectors reading 3.3ohms.
Checked 12V supply to IDM with IDM unplugged - good (noticed battery voltage was now up at 12.8Volts.
Pried off the cover for the IDM, found the bottom RHS where the power goes in on the main connector to be rusty and was sat about 1" of anodized aluminum powder. Cleaned out the IDM with electrical contact cleaner.
Now absolutely no output from the IDM when trying to carry out buzz test.
Installed new IDM - truck starts 1st crank even when cold (and we are at -20'C at the moment).

 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2020 | 08:25 PM
  #13  
aawlberninf350's Avatar
aawlberninf350
It's a Van Gogh
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
O I see your strategy. Leave the prey alone and months later when it least suspects it... sneak attack!

Well done getting it fixed!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wackercattle
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
Aug 25, 2013 10:06 PM
arkredneck
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
7
Feb 7, 2011 06:53 AM
parrisw
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
22
Nov 25, 2008 08:10 AM
97 HD
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
2
Oct 23, 2007 06:24 PM
Craze
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
6
Feb 17, 2006 12:46 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:38 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE