Hello all,

I drive a 2002 f-250 with the 7.3 L powerstroke and a 5-speed manual transmission. This morning i couldn't start it. When i turned the key to the on position, the glow plug dummy light didn't come on, and my accessories wouldn't work. I figured it was dead, so i came back an hour later with a friend to jump it. Then it started acting up. This time when i turned the key on, all the gauges pegged and the indicator lights were either flashing or dimming. Also, a relay under the dash was cycling rapidly. I checked it, and it's relay # 303, the "injector driver module relay" relay. I can't tell if these symptoms are caused by a dead battery, or if a dead battery caused the symptoms. I don't want to jump it in case the extra voltage causes more damage. Any help in this matter would be GREATLY appreciated, as i have 3 collage finals in the next 2 days, and i have to move out of my apartment on the 9th.

Thanks!

Daniel R.

 

Sounds like a set of batteries are in your future. Try to get a good charge on them and try again. The flashing lights and clicking relays are your pcm reseting due to low voltage.

 

Welcome to FTE!! Do what Barry had suggested and let us know how you make out.

 

Oh yeah, sorry about that, Where are my manners? Welcome to FTE.

 

Thanks a lot you guys. I'm under mountains of stress with school finals and then this happened. I'll jump it tonight and post if it works or not.

 

And good luck on your finals!

 

Yes good luck on your finals!!

 

thanks again you guys. I'm glad its something as simple as a new battery. when i saw lights blinking and gauges pegging i imagined the worst. I'll be jumping it around midnight when my friends get off work. then its off to wallyworld for a new battery

 

Well, we tried. Good news is that there isn't an underlying electrical problem. The bad news is nobody has enough power to jump my truck!! My friend's V8 Tundra couldn't do it. With his truck almost redlining, the battery gauge would show full voltage, but when i turned they key, nothing. Just not enough power. I do have a question though. Are the 2 batteries linked, or do they serve different purposes? I tried jumping one then the other, but i got the same results. I'll either end up getting 2 trucks to jump me simultaneously, or I'll give up my manhood and call AAA. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

They r both tied in 2gether in parallel ..... If it is completely dead which by the sounds of it is Hook your friends truck 2 it and let it sit 4 a while half hour or so make sure the jumper cables don't loosen up check them by moving them every now and then when you get a good connection u will hear that toy bog a little These trucks its hard 2 get a good Connection w/ the way the brackets on the terminals r then it should start or u can try 2 trucks like u said but the big thing is getting a good connection

 

How long has it been since the truck ran? Did you leave the lights or any accessories on to drain the batteries? Before you try and jump it again check all the battery connections and grounds to make sure you don't have something loose or corroded.

If you end up replacing batteries replace them both at the same time. Otherwise you'll be stuck with another no start situation within 6 months.

Welcome to FTE & good luck on your finals.

 

The only time I was successful in jumpstarting a diesel was with another diesel, 2 sets of jumper cables..

Batts are wired in parallel..they both need to be up to task to start the truck.

 

I jumped a semi-truck with a VW one time. The driver left the TV on all night and all the batteries were completely flat.
The secret is to let the good vehicle charge the dead vehicle for a while. Give it a few minutes of charging, the longer you let it charge the better your chances of getting it going.
I had to hold the engine rpm up for a while and then it started.
.

 

if you put enough amperage to one battery it will start,problem is most people don't have proper cables
I have jump started mine with my f-150

 

the weird thing is that it had only been 2 days and nothing was left on that could drain the batteries. I know that one battery needs replacing but i don't know how the good one drained so quickly. oh well. a buddy of mine works for a construction company so im gunna have him jump my truck with one of their fleet diesels.