I am new to this site and in a bit of a jam - can some one please offer
some advice?

I am a Horse Transporter and I pull my 6 horse - LQ trailer with a 1999
7.3 L - Power Stroke, F-250 4X4 Super Duty, extended cab.

At the moment I am stopped at a friends ranch near Santa Fe, N. M.
(coming from So. Cal. on my way out east - PA, NY, FLA. and then back to
the north west). The truck will not start. The "Wait to Start Engine"
light in the instrument cluster does not illuminate. The engine does
turns over but will not start. I have narrowed the problem down to the
fuse panel which is in the cab. The blown fuse (30A), which is in the
no. 30 location (according to the owners manual) controls the - PCM
Relay Coil, Fuel Heater, Wastegate Solenoid and Injector Driver Module
Relay Coil - in this diesel truck. A new fuse inserted in this location
"blows" immediately upon turning the ignition key. Direct short! There
has been an error code in the past making reference to the "Wastegate".

Can anyone, with some experience, tell me if this appears to be a
problem, necessitating the replacement of the "Wastegate Solenoid". If
this is the issue, in your opinion, then can you tell me where this
Solenoid is located on my truck so I can change it?

Thanks, in advance - for your input and your assistance!
--
Dr. NapéWastéWiñ

 

I heard the most likely suspect in your case is the fuel heater element in the filter housing is shorted out. You need to unplug the heater plug on the backside of the housing. I have a '99 and after this post will go out and look to see if I can get a better description.

 

I went and looked and could only find one plug on the back of my filter housing but the wires in it are too thin to be able to carry enough current to blow a 30 amp fuse. I am assuming that is the water in fuel sensor plug. I know there is a heater inside because I have seen the element when I change the filter, and short of taking the truck apart I can't see the plug, but I know it's there somewhere. Suggest doing a search on fuel heater element: there's a ton of posts on that subject. Let us know what happens.

 

i agree on fuel heater assymbly has shorted out. gotta unplug the heater and put a new fuse in that will get ya back on the road. im lookin at the manual to find which wire it is to unplug

 

there is a red with light green stripe wire that goes to fuel heater, thats the one to unplug

 

hey ya got any places to reccomend for unload and rest stops from san diego, ca to austin, tx????

 

Your suggestions have worked!!! Truck started right up! Thank You! THANK YOU! The truck is running as I type and the rain has even stopped!!

What will this do to the performance of my truck to run without a fuel
heater? Can I run with out this feature? Should I work to replace and
correct this or is this redundant?

Kirkkordead - where in Seattle are you? I am on my way out east just now but will finish up by bringing a couple of horses up the BC border in a couple of weeks. My son is going to Law school at the U in Seattle and I plan to spend a couple of days there!

barebackjack - if you care to e-mail me privately, I will be happy to
share any layover locations I have up m sleeve! Where will you be going
in cent. Ca. My horses are now in Agua Dulce and I am moving them to a
friends ranch in Paso Robles when I get back.

 

you can get fuel gelling in the filter in really cold climates if you still have #2 diesel in your truck, i would reccomend stanadyne, powerservice, or the shell diesel fuel additve to lower your pour point and gelling temp. just to be on the safe side, and have a spare fuel filter. i run stanadyne in my truck all the time.

 

Click on my username and chose "View Public Profile". My real name and business are listed there. You can reach me anytime M-F at the business number. My physical location is about 30 blocks due north of the U district across the street from a giant Safeway store. Stop by when you are in town and I would be glad to shake your hand. We can swap stories and admire one another's trucks.

 

Also I agree with BBJake about the fuel heater. It's only necessary in very cold climates. If your business takes you to cold locations during the winter than I recommend getting it fixed. But for now with summer coming on - no worries.