Hey guys, I need a little help with an 01 F-250 I'm working on. It's having starting issues anytime it's sat overnight. It takes lots of cranking before it takes off running. One cooler (~50 degrees) morning I couldn't get it going at all. Once it does run, it's got a definate miss until it warms up. Then it'll come out of it and start and run perfect the rest of the day.

I don't think it's a GP issue. GPR is working and I tested GP's with a test light (I know...I should check resistances). I've got a Snap-on scanner and ICP looks to be in spec even when it won't start. HPO level is down about an inch (this is okay right?).

It had all kinds of codes so I cleared them to start fresh, and none have showed back up yet. Buzz test passed. I couldn't get it to run a cylinder contribution test for some reason.

Any ideas of what else to check?

 

Weak batteries most likely.

 

Have you changed the oil ?...

 

I guess it's been an issue for quite some time. The oil has been changed and is full. Definately not a battery/starter problem.

 

Have you checked to make sure the oil reservoir is not draining down over night or after a couple of days?

 

As stated in my first post, it's down about an inch. This is okay though, correct?

 

If you are not getting any codes maybe fuel related....Just an idea....How many miles... Injectors?

 

Around 210,000 miles. Injectors or fuel were a couple of my thoughts also. Two injectors recently were replaced. The others haven't been touched.

 

Maybe sucking in air would be my first thought. I'm sure you have more experience than I do just trying to help brainstorm....

 

I think it's time for a compression test.
Also, is the glow plug relay actually powering the glow plugs?

 

I worked with it almost all morning and came up with a few things. Started it up and the SES light came on, then went off. Checked codes, P1316, which is IDM codes. Ran the buzz test and got P1271 and P1276. I checked all injector resistances at the VC connectors, all under 5 ohms but not shorted. Checked wiring from the VC connectors to the IDM, and have continuity on all pins.

I'm leaning towards a bad IDM, for the codes and miss anyway. But can this cause a hard start?

 

P1271 High to Low Side Open - Cylinder 1
P1276 High to Low Side Open - Cylinder 6

I would swap those injectors and see if it follows.
Does not seem like a typical idm failure.

You can idle it with the valve covers off and see which one are spouting oil.

 

True. But would it throw those codes even if those injectors don't test open with a voltmeter?

 

Don't know for sure. My only thought would be that the pcm did not see them firing on the feedback?