won't start
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 454
Likes: 3
From: urbana il
won't start
I have a 89 7.3 IDI that only start with starting fluid. I replaced 8 GP and the GP controler.
When the engine warms up , it start fast , but after 15 or 20 minutes it doesn't start even in normal temperature.
The relay click 5 or 6 times after the WTS light come off.
Do you think it is a fuel problem?
Thanks a lot.
When the engine warms up , it start fast , but after 15 or 20 minutes it doesn't start even in normal temperature.
The relay click 5 or 6 times after the WTS light come off.
Do you think it is a fuel problem?
Thanks a lot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 0
From: CentralEastern Utah
First off, Its just me but its in the best interest of your truck not to use starting fluid on it. Thats just my opinion. But I'd start checking into your batteries first. Is your engine cranking fast enough? Do you see any smoke out the exhaust when you are cranking? If so that will tell you your getting at least some fuel. How many miles on the truck?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Sounds to me like you are having a fuel line leak air leak that is letting the fuel drain back to the tank, or that the lift pump is not working very well.
If you are starting with ether you should disable your glowplugs. Those two do not go together very well, you could have explosive results.
If you are starting with ether you should disable your glowplugs. Those two do not go together very well, you could have explosive results.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
I had the same problem with my 91 7.3 for a while. I replaced both glow plugs and batteries. Came to find out that my only problem was that I needed a knew positive cable from both batteries to the starter. After I replaced that it cranked find. If you still can't figure the problem, try pluggin her in. It kept the engine warm enough to crank regardless. It worked for me and was a better alternate than the ether.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pa - USA
You dont want to crank on the starter too long - (sensitive to work). Try plugging the truck in to get the block hot (probably couple hours before use). If it starts up then it will indicate the glow plug system is faulty. If it still takes a while before it fires up, you are probably ailing from air in the fuel line and letting it drain back. Or the lift pump isnt supplying the fuel at the required pressure which I believe is 7 psi. One more thing that I found on my older truck is that the glow plug relay was not getting good contact from the electrical connections, the bigger wires. There is my nickle worth. Hope this helps you out.
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Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 454
Likes: 3
From: urbana il
won't start
I pluged it for about 5 hours, them I tried to start and it didn't start. Next , I disconected the return hoses and it started immediately.
Other issue is there is not power in the pump solenoid and high idle solenoid .
What else do you recomend that I check . Thanks
Other issue is there is not power in the pump solenoid and high idle solenoid .
What else do you recomend that I check . Thanks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
You have three connections on the pump,
Fast idle and timing advance are controlled by a sensor in the block under the front of the alternator.
The other is the fuel shut off solenoid.
When the engine is cold you should have power to all three when you turn the key on.
Once the engine is over 110 or 120 degrees the power will not be supplied to the timing advance or fast idle solenoid, but it is still supplied to the shut off solenoid.
If you do not have power to the fuel solenoid it will not run.
Possibly you have a bad connection in the wiring harness connector by the right fenderwell that is getting shook around while cranking and finally making connection.
Fast idle and timing advance are controlled by a sensor in the block under the front of the alternator.
The other is the fuel shut off solenoid.
When the engine is cold you should have power to all three when you turn the key on.
Once the engine is over 110 or 120 degrees the power will not be supplied to the timing advance or fast idle solenoid, but it is still supplied to the shut off solenoid.
If you do not have power to the fuel solenoid it will not run.
Possibly you have a bad connection in the wiring harness connector by the right fenderwell that is getting shook around while cranking and finally making connection.