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My husband called about an hour ago. He's at Deer Camp, about 40 miles away. He'd just packed up everything and was going to back under our fifth-wheel camper to come home, but the truck wouldn't start. He told the rest of the guys to go ahead and go home, he'd get it started or call someone to come get him tomorrow. (He's stranded, but does have a 35foot camper to sleep in, to he's not going to freeze to death) Anyway...if anyone can help, he's going to call again in about an hour. So...I'll be watching the posts, and hopefully together we can get him home tonight!!!
Here's what I know about the truck:

1999 FORD F-350 Diesel 7.3L V8
The "wait to start light" does NOT come on when he tries to start it.
All the other dash light do.
The engine does turn over...(tries to start)
It's getting fuel. (He took off the fuel filter and the fuel pump is pumping)
When he turns the key, he hears the relay.(click..click..click.)
He does have power...lights, radio etc.
He does have a power-chip, but did remove it. (He did this while the key was on-could this cause some problem?)
And just so you all know, and might get a laugh---
My husband's occupation-DIESEL MECHANIC (25 years Tractor-Trailers)
HAHAHAHA!

 

Check fuses under hood. Make sure batteries are fully charged.

 

I have no idea why I am in this forum ( I NEVER go here) but I will try to help. I think the key thing here is the no turning over and the relay clicking. I would GUESS that his starter is shot or maybe the cable from the relay to the starter.

First, tell him to give his starter a couple wacks with a hammer and try to start it. If that doesn't work hopefully he has jumper cables. Tell him to run one of the cables from the main bolt on the starter to the one side of the relay where the starter wire goes to. I am stuck in 1985 so I am not sure if his truck has a relay (solenoid) that is built into his starter or not.

Those are maybe a couple places to start. Good luck (and welcome to FTE!)

-Matt

P.S. I went back and read that the truck is a 1999. Not sure but the solenoid is probably part of the starter. He could maybe by-pass it, not sure though.

 

Just my guess cuz I am not an expert but I would say it's the CPS Cam Position Sense. It seams to be a common problem on these trucks. symptoms are no start, tach won't move when cranking. do a search on it you will get TONS of info.


Diesel rod

 

i think hes just trying to get a couple more days to hunt!! im gonna have to remeber that one. sounds like the pcm fuse is blown or not getting pwr if the wts light isnt coming on. hotwire the gpr and fire it up

 

I forgot to say I dont know why the wait to start light doesnt come on but i still think it is the CPS that is causing it. not cheap but there REALLY easy to do with a screw drive and about 20 minutes.



Diesel rod

 

If he's chipped the truck tell him to pull the chip.


On Edit:

Never mind - I see he pulled the chip already. He may want to leave it out and see if the WTS light comes on.

Jim

 

I think the key here is that he pulled the chip with the key in the "on" position. I'd have him disconnect both batteries, and turn the headlights on to drain any residual power in the system. This will drain any power left in the pcm. Reconnect the batteries, and let 'er rip. If the pcm gets confused, like it would if the chip were pulled with the key on, it might shut down the trucks ability to start.
Good luck.

 

Does he have a generator with him to plug in the block heater? Does he have a battery charger? I would use these both and try to get her started. These trucks do not like low batery's

 

Agree with Quadzilla and Realhp. Do the block heater and battery charger, and while waiting disconnect the batteries to reset the pcm. With the engine warmed up you won't need the glow plugs so it should start. To charge the truck batteries he may have to jerry-rig wiring from the trailer 12 volt converter to the truck batteries if he doesn't have a portable charger.
Good Luck

 

are the glow plugs getting power isn't the wait to start light part of the glow plug circuit

 

I have to agree with Quadzilla. The chip should not have been pulled with the key on. I would try his suggestions.

Beast12
I don't think they need to hit the starter with a HAMMER to get it to work. As she said " The engine does turn over...(tries to start) "

Randy

 

My fault. I read it as the engine DOESN'T turn over. I read too fast sometimes.

-Matt

 

If pulling the battery cables dosen't work, check the #22 fuse under the hood. If it is blown, unplug the fuel heater and replace the fuse and try it.

 

01stroker you beat me to it. No wait to start light? Check the fuses!