7.3 will not start .... Help!

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Oct 30, 2007 | 08:06 PM

vbowers

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Joined: Mar 2007

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7.3 will not start .... Help!

I have a 2001 Ford 7.3 diesel superduty that will not start. It began to act different two weeks ago. While turning the ignition a quick clicking sound behind the dashboard could be heard and it would not start. I could turn the ignition back to off and attempt again and it would a start. This has happened several times in two weeks. Today it got worse. No matter how many times I turn off the ignition and attempt to start again the clicking continues during cranking. It will not start at all.

Any advise?

Oct 30, 2007 | 09:49 PM

drbalazo

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 258

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From: san diego

CPS (cam position sensor). That would be my first guess and knowing its a common problem on the 7.3 and sounds like the kind of trouble it will caused once it fails. Go to the dealer and spend $20 for it and grab a 10mm socket and 10 minutes of your time should (hopefully) fix your problem. Hope this helps

Oct 31, 2007 | 06:32 PM

aldridgec

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Joined: Mar 2002

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From: Wake Forest, NC

Is it not cranking or cranking and not starting. If it is making a clicking sound I would guess not cranking due to low voltage or a bad starter.

Oct 31, 2007 | 06:47 PM

dougger222

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Joined: Mar 2004

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From: May Township, MN

Quote:

Originally Posted by aldridgec

Is it not cranking or cranking and not starting. If it is making a clicking sound I would guess not cranking due to low voltage or a bad starter.

I agree. Everytime my PSD's click when starting it's lacking the volts to crank over. I think the clicking is a warning so you won't continue to try to start it.

Try putting jumper cables on it. If the batteries are original they are bad more than likely. Late last Fall I got sick of cheap batteries that only lasted one or two years and installed six Motorcraft batteries in the PSD's.

Oct 31, 2007 | 10:50 PM

37 Streetrod

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Joined: Oct 2007

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From: Hamden, Ohio

I was having the same problem last week and after a few suggestions from this forum it turned out to be weak batteries. They were showing 85% but just not good enough to crank good enough to start truck. Put in the new batteries and she started right up and no more clicking noise under the dash.

Another fellow also responded to the post that he was having the same problem and he had his batteries checked out and one was bad. New batteries and she started up and he too said that no more clicking noise.

It was also posted that if you change one battery you must change both of them . Just to be on the safe side and before you go out and buy new batteries try putting a charger on your truck and see if that works and if it does you will know for sure is your batteries

Oct 31, 2007 | 11:25 PM

aldridgec

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 3,881

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From: Wake Forest, NC

The clicking happens because the solenoid has enough power to pull in, but when it connects the cranking coils the voltage drops and the solenoid kicks out. As soon as it does the voltage comes back up and it pulls in. This cycles very rapidly and you get the clicking noise.