Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

Thoughts on possible causes

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 29, 2025 | 10:01 PM
  #1  
Keith Griffin's Avatar
Keith Griffin
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 267
Likes: 79
From: San Antonio
Club FTE Gold Member
Thoughts on possible causes

Hello all,

My brother has a 2000 F-350 with the 7.3l diesel engine in it and he can't figure out what's wrong. Says it cranks but won't start, fuel pump not working, no wait to start light and OBD not connecting. Anyone have ideas on where to start looking for causes?

I would normally drive to where he's at (about 45 miles away) but since my eye surgery, I can't drive for a while. I'd like to pass along some information to give him a hand getting it running again. Truck has over 200,000 miles on it with no major issues yet. He'd like to keep it for hauling his RV.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2025 | 12:19 AM
  #2  
Pickupmanx2's Avatar
Pickupmanx2
Lead Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 966
From: Near Yosemite CA
Start checking for blown fuses... not a diesel, but my '00 Ex kept blowing fuse #30, no OBD conx, crank, no start, found a short with ground strap and coil #4, have him check fuse #30 in his owners manual and see what it powers, I'm guessing something shorted, is shorted...
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2025 | 01:55 AM
  #3  
Jimmy's Pilot Service's Avatar
Jimmy's Pilot Service
Laughing Gas
Veteran: Navy
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 992
Likes: 367
From: Republic of Texas
No WTS... No PCM.... Never going to fire.
Get and learn to use FORScan for codes and monitoring... almost every system out there will not talk to the 7.3 regardless of name or cost.

Disconnect the fuel bowl heater then prove the fuse as it shares it with the PCM.

And because fail to start is usually a crank until ticked event... Charge the batteries back up or it will also keep it from starting due to excessive voltage drop.

EDIT.....
Also because of no PCM, you will never pull any codes as nothing is there to read.
 

Last edited by Jimmy's Pilot Service; Oct 30, 2025 at 01:59 AM.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2025 | 07:55 AM
  #4  
edh1964's Avatar
edh1964
2nd Gear
Liked
Loved
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 2
Likes: 1
Won't start 7.3, I've owned three.

Originally Posted by Keith Griffin
Hello all,

My brother has a 2000 F-350 with the 7.3l diesel engine in it and he can't figure out what's wrong. Says it cranks but won't start, fuel pump not working, no wait to start light and OBD not connecting. Anyone have ideas on where to start looking for causes?

I would normally drive to where he's at (about 45 miles away) but since my eye surgery, I can't drive for a while. I'd like to pass along some information to give him a hand getting it running again. Truck has over 200,000 miles on it with no major issues yet. He'd like to keep it for hauling his RV.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
I've owned 3. My best thought based on experience, cam position sensor. Every 7.3 owner should carry a spare in their glove box. Bad sensor will let it spin forever, but not start. No codes. As I recall, you need a 10mm socket, 6" extension, and ratchet. I'd look for a fuse as someone suggested, (that's easy enough) and then try the camshaft position sensor. Let us know how it works out.
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2025 | 08:02 AM
  #5  
Pikachu's Avatar
Pikachu
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,315
Likes: 582
From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
Originally Posted by edh1964
I've owned 3. My best thought based on experience, cam position sensor. Every 7.3 owner should carry a spare in their glove box. Bad sensor will let it spin forever, but not start. No codes. As I recall, you need a 10mm socket, 6" extension, and ratchet. I'd look for a fuse as someone suggested, (that's easy enough) and then try the camshaft position sensor. Let us know how it works out.
That's not the part I'd focus on, given the symptoms. Like the others said, get a multimeter out and check the fuses first.
 
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2025 | 10:34 AM
  #6  
Keith Griffin's Avatar
Keith Griffin
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 267
Likes: 79
From: San Antonio
Club FTE Gold Member
I appreciate all of ya'lls thoughts on this. I've passed the information and a link this thread on to him so he can start looking into getting it back up and running. Please keep the thoughts coming.

Keith
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SoORScouter
Excursion - King of SUVs
4
Jun 29, 2021 10:49 PM
07F3506.0
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
6
Jul 9, 2018 08:31 AM
gbroering
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
1
Mar 4, 2016 08:53 PM
shawn.mcdevitt
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Dec 3, 2014 11:46 PM
kittie24
1997 - 2003 F150
2
Aug 7, 2013 03:18 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:58 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE