I have the same exact problem with my 2000 psd. If I plug in the block heater after an hour it starts but shakes like crazy till it warms up. There are 2 1/8 pipe plugs on the fuel rails. I would check fuel pressure there. should be between 45-65 psi. I'll keep you posted on my problem since it sounds like yours.

 

I assume you've checked that fuel is getting to the bowl? Parked for a month, is that long enough to have (micro-scopic) critters knawing at the combustability (is that a word?) of one's fuel? No smoke, no fuel right? Here's another thought, ran mine dry once and never even hit the red mark on the fuel guage. Out of desperation put five gal. in and got out of that predicerment. (kicked myself in the butt all the way home) Wish I could offer more help.

 

Lately, there seems to have been a rash of problems with the IDM (injector drive modules) guys! Apparently some have actually had water in them, which leaks in through a hole in the IDM case.
The IDM is a silver box, bolted to the drivers side fender, up near the hood hinge.

Mine is a modded IDM (allows for more voltage) so mine has been siliconed up real good, but apparently a few have taken theirs off, and when shaken...have heard water slooshing around inside. Obviously not good for the electronics inside!
Not saying this is it...but something to look for perhaps.

Yes, CPS is a possibility, but most often they will let you know when they are going...where the truck will nearly die...and catch again etc. before they go completely. I always keep a spare in my glove box.

Of course we have a host of sensors on our trucks, of which a few have to be in working order, or the truck will not start.
Not sure if one of them might be the map sensor? I would assume if it doesn't show any boost, it might give the PCM a signal not to allow fuel??

Then, there can always be a shorted connector to an injector or two, which are located under the valve covers. These connectors are for the glow plugs and injectors, and the valve cover gasket itself could be defective in some cases as well.

Do you know yet if you are getting fuel? Perhaps a fuel pump issue...as I've changed mine recently on my early PSD.

Also, another biggie...is the FUEL HEATER (of all things) has not allowed many a Powerstroke to start, as it had shorted out. Apparently the fuel heater fuse is also the same fuse for the IDM...so check your under hood fuses to make sure they are all in fine shape!
I personally have disconnected my fuel heater, as there have just been too many guys in the past with negative issues because of electrical shorts from them! The fuel heater CAN be disconnected (I haven't run with mine for a year now) as it is only needed in extremely cold weather.
Use a good fuel additive, and a fuel heater is really not needed, unless..as I say you are in extreme conditions.

Hope some of these help!

Dale

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. Have tracked down a scanner and will plug it in tomorrow and finally get some hard data. Will keep you posted.

 

Well, plugged the computer in and couldn't pull up any codes other than the P0603 Internal Control Module KAM Error message. I was under the impression that this would come up if we had unplugged the batteries for a while, which was done, and was most likely not a problem. After talking it over decided to try swapping PCM's again and see if we could get any other codes with the second one in, but this time the truck fired right up! Maybe something was done wrong last time, missed a connection or something, but the truck runs with the swapped PCM. Something happened during the month of inactivity to fry the original PCM it would seem. My question is this -- could letting batteries drop really low then trying to start off a battery charger with a powerful booster cause the PCM to fail by causing some sort of power surge? That is all I can think of. Anyway, problem seems to be solved and hopefully this will be the end of problems for a while.

On a side note, is anyone having problems searching the forums? I no longer get a search prompt after I log in. Thanks again for all the suggestions

 

Have A 1997 F250 Psd With The Same Problem. Wait To Start Light Does Not Come On, Cranks But Will Not Start. Cannot Find Problem. Stupid Question, What Is A Pcm?

 

A PCM is the "Power Control Module" which is basically the computer that runs the electronic parts of the truck/engine!

I personally bought a spare PCM off Ebay some time ago in "reconditioned" form, and I have ran my truck with it ever since buying it, and it works just fine. It actually came with a better code than I originally had which was an added plus.

For those of us with the OBS (old body style) trucks, there where MANY different codes from early '94 to '97, and the consenus was that the TDE1 or TDE0 codes where the best overall, as they had updates done to them, and they came with nicer coding for transmission shifting.
My initial code was a TEE5 code, which gave me excellent power, but lousy transmission (auto) shifting! I do perfer my Ebay bought TDE1 code though, so I have the best of both worlds because of that purchase.
Just so you know..I paid $75.00 for my spare PCM, so there are some good deals out there if you care to keep an eye on things.
I just recently bought a spare CPS (cam position sensor) brand new for under $60.00 as well (in U.S. funds though) which I keep in my glove box as a spare.

With regard to a no-start issue, most often it is NOT the PCM, but in this case it looks like it was. Perhaps we need a listing or checklist of all the things there could be for a no-start issue?
There again, most often the folks here, or on the TDS forum are more than helpful in finding the answers to 99.9% of the problems that exist with any truck with a Powerstroke Diesel, so help is there when needed if the questions are asked.

Dale

 

Where Is The Pcm Located?

 

from inside the cab

from the engine compartment

 

Could You Give Me Some More Detailed Information On The Location And What It Looks Like?

 

its a metal box measuring about 4 x 6 inches, 2 inches thick. behind the kick panel behind the emergency brake pedal. has a 10 mm bolt holding the wiring harness to it from firewall - engine side, stuffed down along inner fender. the pcm comes from inside the cabin when the wiring is disconnected. has a fiber bracket holding it in place with 5/16 bolt holding the fiber bracket to the truck. some new words and mouth positions will get it out. make sure you install it the right direction so the wiring harness will connect.

 

my pictures pretty much show that along with the descriptions??????????????

 

Peets, I just had the same problem with my 97 ford powerstroke desiel. Took it to mechanic shops and they couldn't figure it out. So i finally sent it to a dealer and they put a new pcm in it and it fixed it. It will cost u around $650. I think that's your problem.

 

you can get a pcm for a lot cheaper than that. about 150 bucks....

 

Before you change PCM's make sure the fuel heater has not shorted out and blowing the fuse in the auxiliary panel under the hood.