Getting a 6.9 started. need help
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Getting a 6.9 started. need help
I am trying to get my newly aquired 1985 f350 with a 6.9 started. I have never heard the truck ran and it has not been ran in about 5 years. I charged the batteries and they took charge. I put the batteries in and turned the key to on and I could see the wait to start light. The light went out and I went to the start position and I hear nothing. I have the dome light and floor on when the door is open. I also tried the headlights and they lit up. I know the batteries are old but they are showing as charged so I think I should at least hear something click, but I have nothing.What should I look for?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
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From: Manitoba
See if the power is going to the starter solenoid on the right fender (small wire) key on. the other thing did you attempt to bar the engine over by hand first using the crank/harmonic balancer bolt 15/16 and clockwise rotation........then.
If the fuel has been in the system for 5 years it could be full of Algea...I would first check and replace the fuel filter........hook a can of clean diesel with some diesel fuel additive in it up to the inlet of the lift pump (RH side lower block). If all is well attempt the start, cycle the GPs every start attempt. Do not run starter for more than 15 seconds without a rest or you will burn it up.
If the fuel has been in the system for 5 years it could be full of Algea...I would first check and replace the fuel filter........hook a can of clean diesel with some diesel fuel additive in it up to the inlet of the lift pump (RH side lower block). If all is well attempt the start, cycle the GPs every start attempt. Do not run starter for more than 15 seconds without a rest or you will burn it up.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,564
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
you did not state what trans you have. if it is a manual, you need to step on the clutch, the neutral saftey switch is on the clutch pedal. if it is an automatic, try moving the shifter in park or neutral with the key in the start position.
with the headlights on, turn the key. if the lights go out, the batterys or battery connections are bad.if the lights stay on, the problem is somewhere else.
with the headlights on, turn the key. if the lights go out, the batterys or battery connections are bad.if the lights stay on, the problem is somewhere else.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
The 85 6.9 has two starter solenoids.
One is on the passenger side inner fender.
The other is on the starter.
The key activates the one on the fender which in turn acctivates the one on the starter.
The safety interlock will prevent the first one from working, ie manual clutch pedal on the floor or automatic in Park or neutral.
With the truck in neutral and the park brake drawn you might jump from the positive battery terminal to the small terminal on the fender mounted solenoid. If that does not turn it over, move to the back big terminal and try there. Since the battery main wire goes to the starter solenoid you will just be energising the lower solenoid when you jump it.
If neither of those tests crank the starter the next thing I would do is check all the connections on the battery system for bad connections or corrosion, grounds included.
If still no clicking or cranking take the batteries to a local auto parts place and have them load tested. It does take a lot of juice to crank a diesel over. You should hear some clicking solenoids though even if it will not crank.
One is on the passenger side inner fender.
The other is on the starter.
The key activates the one on the fender which in turn acctivates the one on the starter.
The safety interlock will prevent the first one from working, ie manual clutch pedal on the floor or automatic in Park or neutral.
With the truck in neutral and the park brake drawn you might jump from the positive battery terminal to the small terminal on the fender mounted solenoid. If that does not turn it over, move to the back big terminal and try there. Since the battery main wire goes to the starter solenoid you will just be energising the lower solenoid when you jump it.
If neither of those tests crank the starter the next thing I would do is check all the connections on the battery system for bad connections or corrosion, grounds included.
If still no clicking or cranking take the batteries to a local auto parts place and have them load tested. It does take a lot of juice to crank a diesel over. You should hear some clicking solenoids though even if it will not crank.
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Junior User
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I did some reading after I had posted and then went back out to try to start it again. The truck has a manual tranny. I went from the + on the pass. side battery to the small terminal on the solenoid and I got a click at the solenoid. The starter motor did not turn over. I tried it with the key switch and as soon as I go to the start position the lights go out. I am thinking I am going to have to invest about $130 in batteries. I see that autozone has a duralast 6yr 750cca and 900ca batteries for $69.00 each. Has anyone bought any of these batteries? Do I need to go with batteries with this high of a cca? BTW, I have not tried to turn the engine over with a breaker bar yet. I know that the engine turns over since I had a buddy of mine pull it home with his truck and a chain. I had to let the clutch out every once in a while to slow the truck down(the back brake line is busted) The truck did not have batteries in it when we towed it home, if the truck was going to run would it have started without the batteries in it and being pulled in 4th gear?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
No batteries mean the fuel shut off solenoid was closed.
Where are you located?
If you are in a cold climate area you want the biggest baddest batteries you can get.
I was running 1000 CCA Intertate batteries in mine till Interstate left town.
Now I have the biggest Titanium batteries Advance Auto coud get.
I don't remember the CCA rating, but when it is 5 below out side I wish they were bigger.
Since it is a manual, you may want to get your buddy to pull you again after you get the batteries installed. If the fuel has drained out of th IP and lines it may save you a starter. I pull start my 4 speed in second, just watch you don't over rev the engine while pulling it. If the fuel lines are drained it will take about 2 blocks to get it primed and firing.
As long as he don't leave you, you could even do this with the old batteries.
They will have enough juice to open the fuel shut off solenoid. But if you stall it before you get it home you will be stuck.
That way you can see if it is worth putting the new batteries in it or not.
Where are you located?
If you are in a cold climate area you want the biggest baddest batteries you can get.
I was running 1000 CCA Intertate batteries in mine till Interstate left town.
Now I have the biggest Titanium batteries Advance Auto coud get.
I don't remember the CCA rating, but when it is 5 below out side I wish they were bigger.
Since it is a manual, you may want to get your buddy to pull you again after you get the batteries installed. If the fuel has drained out of th IP and lines it may save you a starter. I pull start my 4 speed in second, just watch you don't over rev the engine while pulling it. If the fuel lines are drained it will take about 2 blocks to get it primed and firing.
As long as he don't leave you, you could even do this with the old batteries.
They will have enough juice to open the fuel shut off solenoid. But if you stall it before you get it home you will be stuck.
That way you can see if it is worth putting the new batteries in it or not.
Last edited by Dave Sponaugle; Nov 13, 2005 at 06:28 PM.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
Likes: 221
From: Huntington Indiana
Yes get the biggest battery you can fit. You might need it some very cold day at work. I checked with ford the last time I needed batteries and they was the same price as the cheaper ones. Go figure.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Northeastern Pa - USA
make sure you tell the battery supplier that they are for a ford pickup. they are a shorter battery to fit in the holder and under the hood. make sure you check the coolant and oil levels. Bar the engine over by hand like pc stated to make sure it is not hydro locked. If the batteries have any power, you should be able to hear the shutoff solenoid working with the key switch, and also hear the glow plug solenoid working too.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: Panther Branch, NC
Don't buy those autozone batts. there crap. A buddy of mine had one in his F-150 and it took his Alt. with it when the batt went bad in 20 months. Stick with Interstate, Deka, or Motorcraft. also I went through the same process when I got my 87 6.9 for free. I would check all the glow plugs first, and make sure there getting power. I added a marine hand primer in the line from the tank to make priming it easier. watch out those lifters like to stick when they sit for a while. I would also take the center feed line of the injector pump and spray some wd-40 or seafoam deep creep to break up any wax build-up in there.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 159
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Have you tryed bump starting it.See if you can started with some one towing you.If it has a dump bed you will need some one with a full size truck to help you start it.Hot oil leaked out from some were above the starter on my truck and fried the celinoide on the starter.Replaced it and fires wright up.Just cant get a charge to the batteries.The starter should turn over with any type of batteries installed.I have barely 8volts in each battery and the starter will turn the motor.
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