7.3 no start
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7.3 no start
My '02 Excursion with 7.3 wouldn't start today. Never had a problem until today. Vehicle has 97,000. When the wife tried to start this AM, she said it tried to run for maybe 3-4 seconds and then died. If you recycle it tries to fire but won't run. Let it sit til I got home this afternoon and still reacts the same. Tries to start, then just cranks then engine. There is lot's of smoke. Dark out, can't tell color. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Belgrade, MT
WHere at?
Mike,
What part of MT are you in? Might be able to swing by and take a look at it with you if in the Gallatin valley area.
Sounds like you may have some gelled fuel possibly, the mercury has done went through the floor here.
Tom
What part of MT are you in? Might be able to swing by and take a look at it with you if in the Gallatin valley area.
Sounds like you may have some gelled fuel possibly, the mercury has done went through the floor here.
Tom
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
With the Excursion, you would have seen a check engine light if you had a glow plug or controller issue before now.
I'd agree to check the engine oil level and check for gelled fuel. That's pretty low mileage on the Ex. How long has that tank of fuel been in there, and when do they switch to winter fuel in your area?
I'd agree to check the engine oil level and check for gelled fuel. That's pretty low mileage on the Ex. How long has that tank of fuel been in there, and when do they switch to winter fuel in your area?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Belgrade, MT
Fuel Filter/Tank Screens
Mike,
Might start by opening up the fuel filter and see if you have fuel in the bowl, kind of sounds like it is starving. How old is the filter? If it is a fresh filter and things look good there, may be the screens in the tank. i am sure others will chime in with other ideas shortly.
Tom
Edit: I knew Chris would be faster than me......
Might start by opening up the fuel filter and see if you have fuel in the bowl, kind of sounds like it is starving. How old is the filter? If it is a fresh filter and things look good there, may be the screens in the tank. i am sure others will chime in with other ideas shortly.
Tom
Edit: I knew Chris would be faster than me......
Last edited by onelionhunter; Dec 1, 2009 at 07:51 PM. Reason: Chris is faster than me...
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More to the story. Wife now says the day after we got home the check engine light came on for a "couple" of minutes, then went out. The next day it came back on and has stayed on since then. She thought it was caused from a loose fuel cap, which she retightened. This probably changes things, Mike.
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Post Fiend
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From: Texas
If it's really 50 deg. in your garage then the fuel shouldn't be gelled. Removing the lid and pulling the fuel filter out of the housing will tell you if you have a fuel issue. Also check the engine oil level. Do those two things and report back. We'll go from there with your answers.
Edit: Just read your recent wife story. Also plug the truck in for a couple of hours. The truck should start without glow plugs in 50 deg temps, but might have a good amount of white smoke if they're not working. I'm starting to think maybe you have an issue with the GPCM, but oil and fuel are still good checks.
Edit: Just read your recent wife story. Also plug the truck in for a couple of hours. The truck should start without glow plugs in 50 deg temps, but might have a good amount of white smoke if they're not working. I'm starting to think maybe you have an issue with the GPCM, but oil and fuel are still good checks.
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Oil level is good, 1/2 way in operating zone. Plugged it in and will tackle the fuel filter in the morning. Thanks for the suggestions. F-350, sounds like I should have used the 7 p's on this one, Semper Fi, Mike.
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This morning, after being plugged in all night, it started right up. It was 42* in the garage during the night. The check engine light stayed on while running. Since it fired being plugged in, should I assume that the check engine light and the no start problem of yesterday are glow plug related? I don't have a reader to check for errors. Maybe I should invest? That's for the suggestions, Mike.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Wheatland, Mo
That sounds ALOT like the probs I just had. tough as hell to get it started when the temps are below 40 without plugging it in. The CEL would come on once in awhile and then Curtis came out and plugged in his puter to my truck. Turned out to be the harness under the passenger side valve cover. Coming loose. It holds the wiring for the injectors and well as the GPR. I haven't left my truck unplugged at night since but it has been running smoother.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Belgrade, MT
A few options
As mentioned, it could be the UVCH coming loose. The Glow Plug Control Module could also be bad(Excursions and cali trucks have this instead of a GPR) If you can get teh codes read, it shouldl tell you if it is bad glow plugs, or bad GPCM. I have a basic code reader that was able to read the bad glow plug errors, so I would guess if you go to autozone or wherever that has a code reader you can borrow, it should show up.
Tom
Tom
Post Fiend
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From: Texas
I agree with Tom. Stop by the local parts store for a free scan. Since the GPCM is part of the federal emissions package, the glow plugs or controller related codes should show up with their equipment.
7 P's. Hadn't heard that in a while. I didn't know any of that was possible once a wife got involved.
7 P's. Hadn't heard that in a while. I didn't know any of that was possible once a wife got involved.