Hey y’all need some help:

got an 88 idi, was going down the road and it just died. Now it’s cranking but not starting, I’m getting fuel all the way through. Not sure where to go from here, it’s my first diesel

 

If it was running good, and then just died, the fuel supply must have been cut off.
You ran out of fuel, or the fuel shut off solenoid failed. It is located in the front top of the IP.
Have someone turn the key on/off and listen to the pump. Should hear a click if it is working.

There are 2 wires that connect to the IP. One for the fast idle, and other for the Solenoid.
You can disconnect it and jumper a wire from 12V + Pos. and touch the connection to see
if it clicks.

How full are your Fuel Tanks? When you get low, say 1/4 tank and you run out of fuel, it could
be the Shower head on the end of the fuel pick up has broke off. Common when trucks are
this old as ours. I replaced both of mine.
https://www.gastankdepot.com/fmff1-d...-strainer.html


On the Fuel filter is the Shrader valve (Tire Valve). Push it in when the engine is cranking over,
fuel should shoot out if the Filter is full, or if isn`t, then you will hear air coming out.
Pull the Filter and make sure it is full, if not fill it up. You can use ATF to fill it, then you know it
is coming out of a clean container.

If for some reason you do have air in the fuel system, it needs to be purged before the engine will start.
If there is fuel at the filter, then another thing is crack (Loosen) the cap nuts on the fuel line at the
Injectors. Couple on ea side to see it fuel dribbles out when turning the engine turns over. If so then it
should start.

You need batteries fully charged, and a starter that turn the engine over fast.
When you are cranking, 30sec then couple min to cool off so you don`t over heat the Starter.

You said fuel is coming through, how far?

I had a problem with my Lift Pump, it started to leak fuel. Changed it out and fixed it,
but I guess it could if it got bad enough, air could enter the fuel lines, or they could drain back.
There is also a short rubber hose that connects to the lift pump. Sort of a curly Q the way it connects.
Mine was all cracked it was so old, another place to eventually cause a problem.

Hope something here helps you, just pulling things off the top of my head.

As long as these Diesels have Air, Fuel and Compression they will run.


Charlie

 

It was the belt for the vacuum pump slipping smh

 

No, the vacuum pump does nothing for keeping the engine running so it was something else.