Please Help! The other day out of nowhere my ex decided it didn’t want to start. The engine turned over fine so I cranked it for a few minutes hoping it would magically resolve itself but instead all I accomplished was draining the batteries. So, I put the batteries on chargers and let it charge for a couple hours before revisiting the problem. This time before starting I checked the fuel pump, I emptied the fuel water separator, checked the fuel filter and checked the air filter\intake before cranking. With my newly charged batteries still connected to the chargers I tried cranking again. This time it gave me a hard time but after about a minute of cranking it finally started up. No warning lights, no problems, I drove it around the block a few times and everything seemed perfectly fine. I got home turned it off and tried starting it again just to be sure... wouldn’t start again. I cranked a few minutes once again until it was clear I was just draining the batteries so back on the charger they went. In the afternoon started it again after a few minutes of cranking while connected to the charger and once running it drove it for nearly an hour without any problems but once again after I turned it off I was out of luck restarting. I should mention that the batteries are both less than 18 months old and don’t seem to have a problem holding sufficient charge if the motor wasn’t taking forever to actually start. I’m in FL and the temperature was in the 90s so glow plugs, fuel heaters, etc shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve called a few friends who are mechanics and one said it could be the crank sensor (he said there may actually be a recall on it) but when I look it up it says it will cause the engine to stall which mine is not doing. That’s my problem, everything I find would cause problems with it running or at least give a warning light but once started it runs fine with no lights. I can’t afford to just take it somewhere so I really need some help…please -xtraveler Oh, I guess I should mention 2001 ex w/7.3 2wd

 

I'm no expert, but one should be along soon....

Seems to me I read in the 7.3 forum that another symptom of a bad CPS is the tach doesn't work when you crank it over. Does yours?

 

Thanks Don. The tach moves when I crank, but not very much. I've never paid attention in the past, how high should it go when cranking?

xtraveler

 

I know it does; but to be honest, I've never paid attention!!!! Guess I'll have to check tonight when I get home!!

Again, someone a LOT smarter than me may chime in soon.

Better yet would be to post this in the 99.5 - 03 7.3 forum.

But I must warn you..... they will try to get you to come over to the dark side. They will espouse the benefits of DP Tuners; gauges; better intake and exhaust........ Not that it's a bad thing mind you Cause they ain't lyin'!!!

 

Luke , I am your Father ! Sounds like a charging problem or and most likely a battery with a bad cell . Have the batteries load tested ,I Know only 18 mo old it happens And while the batteries are out, now would be a good time to slip in a new air intake, and cut in the cold air intake.