diesel wont start
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Joined: Feb 2004
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diesel wont start
I have a 1988 7.3L diesel the water in fuel light keeps coming on and it wont start
i drained the tanks and the lines and the filter and i put fresh fuel in
i even tried unplugging the sensor
help please
Last edited by diamondj; Feb 5, 2006 at 06:58 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 327
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From: Los Angeles
Which sensor? The on in the water separator? Is it the stock water separator? If so, you should replace that POS and get a Racor. The stock unit tends to leak after you drain it the first time. This leads to bubbles in the fuel and that will keep the engine from starting. How long had it been sitting before the first episode of water? Is it possible you got fuel with water in it from the same place twice?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
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From: Manitoba
Have you changed the filter recently......is it freezing where you are. Did you put some fuel additiive in the tanks......
"Water In Fuel" Warning Indicator
The "WATER IN FUEL" warning indicator should turn on when the ignition switch is in the START position to indicate proper indicator and sensor function. The indicator will come on if the fuel filter/water separator has a significant amount of water in it. If the indicator comes on during normal engine operation, drain the fuel bowl in the filter as soon as possible. Water in the fuel could cause extensive damage to the fuel injection system.
Significant amount.... .01 of a qt/liter
There is the little wheel on the filter base, fastest and easiest is to place a bowl under the steel drainline, unscrew the wheel, remove the cap on the Schrader valve and push in the valve core. Fuel will drain into the bowl or on the ground if in a gravel area. (do not do the draining over asphalt) close the wheel when water is drained. Start the engine, some air will be in the system for the first few seconds. Drain fuel filter bases every 5000 miles/every oil change.
"Water In Fuel" Warning Indicator
The "WATER IN FUEL" warning indicator should turn on when the ignition switch is in the START position to indicate proper indicator and sensor function. The indicator will come on if the fuel filter/water separator has a significant amount of water in it. If the indicator comes on during normal engine operation, drain the fuel bowl in the filter as soon as possible. Water in the fuel could cause extensive damage to the fuel injection system.
Significant amount.... .01 of a qt/liter
There is the little wheel on the filter base, fastest and easiest is to place a bowl under the steel drainline, unscrew the wheel, remove the cap on the Schrader valve and push in the valve core. Fuel will drain into the bowl or on the ground if in a gravel area. (do not do the draining over asphalt) close the wheel when water is drained. Start the engine, some air will be in the system for the first few seconds. Drain fuel filter bases every 5000 miles/every oil change.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
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From: Ladner, British Columbia
Check for water in bowl of the fuel filter. Drop the bottom of the filter into a clear glass so you can see if you have a water problem or not. Because of the specific gravity difference between water and diesel (0.78 vs 1.0) the water should stay on the bottom of the glass and the diesel fuel should float on top. There may only be a small drop of water at the bottom of the glass as that can be enought to set off the sensor.
If you don't get water consider a Racor replacement Filter Unit with a clear plastic bowl.
Change all the rubber hoses and orings on the injector return line fittings to make sure you are not getting air leaks into the fuel system.
My Water in Fuel light keep coming on occasionally on my 93' EVEN AFTER I had removed the sensors and the factory fuel filter set-up. I eventual just gave up and removed the light bulb as clearly some electrical fault or short was turning the "Water in Fuel" light on and off.
If you don't get water consider a Racor replacement Filter Unit with a clear plastic bowl.
Change all the rubber hoses and orings on the injector return line fittings to make sure you are not getting air leaks into the fuel system.
My Water in Fuel light keep coming on occasionally on my 93' EVEN AFTER I had removed the sensors and the factory fuel filter set-up. I eventual just gave up and removed the light bulb as clearly some electrical fault or short was turning the "Water in Fuel" light on and off.
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there is a recal on the ignition switch back in 1996 for my year of truck
will the still honor it
will the still honor it
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,782
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From: Huntington Indiana
since this is a diesel - are the glow plugs working? this wasn't mentioned. Are you getting fuel to IP? Do you smell fuel at the exhaust? Does it rool over fast or very slowly?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Los Angeles
One thing that you might check is the electrical connection to the Fuel Shutoff Solenoid. I had to clean mine earlier today b/c the truck wouldn't start. The spade plug was covered in oil and it couldn't get power to the solenoid.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 327
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From: Los Angeles
It's the front wire on the injection pump. The pump is dead center on top of the engine - right in front of the air cleaner housing. The second wire is the high idle solenoid. Feel free to clean both connections while you're at it. 
