Does anyone have any suggestions... my Ford F350 Powerstroke diesel will not crank in the early morning if it drops below 50 degrees. I have had all of the glow plugs replaced and the batteries! It is not set up to be plugged in. Besides, it has always cranked fine in the past. It has only about 150,000 miles on it. Any suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated.
Posted 2008-11-03 10:35 PM (#94200 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
What do you mean "not set up to be pulled in"? All Ford diesel truck have a plug installed on them from the factory. (some of them you have to look under the bumper along the frame rail)
Have you replaced the glow plug relay (controller) located on the front passenger side of the engine between the valve cover and fuel filter. If this has been replace there is a chance that it is wired wrong, because the part is not marked. (been there do that) Something else that is a problem with these truck is the wiring harrnes or pigtail under the valve cover that connects to the glow plugs.
go to www.powerstroke.org for tons of great information at no cost.
Posted 2008-11-04 6:08 AM (#94212 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Member
Posts: 33 Location: Bloomington, IL.
What happens when you turn the key? Does the motor turn over? Does it turn over slower than usual? If the batterys have been replaced and the cables are in good shape the starter is probably failing, especialy if the truck leaks oil and is getting on starter. You need to check battery voltage drop with a volt meter when cranking.
Posted 2008-11-04 7:19 AM (#94216 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Getting some good advice about checking for corrosion on the battery terminals here.
I had a similar issue on my 96. I checked the batteries, the terminals, the connection of the ground to the block, checked the connection of the hot wire to the starter solenoid...all that was good.
But I finally got it. There are two connections on the solenoid, well really more but those are signal wires I'm talking about big amperage connections here. One on the upper side of the solenoid that leads to the battery, the other which has a short wire connected that leads into the starter. Mine had some rust/corrosion on the nut that connected the short wire that lead into the starter. That lead to the connection becoming loose.
Posted 2008-11-04 9:55 AM (#94236 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Read the original post! They have replaced the glow plugs and BATTERIES already! So that would elminate the need to change them or check them. The problem is not with the truck not cranking, the truck is not starting COLD!
Posted 2008-11-04 10:05 AM (#94237 - in reply to #94236) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2008-11-04 9:55 AM
Read the original post! They have replaced the glow plugs and BATTERIES already! So that would elminate the need to change them or check them. The problem is not with the truck not cranking, the truck is not starting COLD!
Looks like the original post says "will not crank" to me.
Posted 2008-11-04 11:40 AM (#94244 - in reply to #94237) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
This is where one needs to look at the entire post and think for a min... This is a new person that posted this thread and could possible be a lady. When a lady has something that will not start 99% of them say my truck wont crank!
Posted 2008-11-04 1:31 PM (#94251 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Member
Posts: 26 Location: Kingsland, TX
Let me preface to say.......I'm not a mechanic, but with Fords we owned in the late 80's to early 90's it seemed like when there were starting problems it was fuel related (along with the various items already mentioned).
This could be the injection pump or fuel pump starting to go bad, like I stated I'm not a mechanic.
Posted 2008-11-04 3:35 PM (#94256 - in reply to #94251) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
The starting/cranking problem shows to be if the temps get to 50 or below. This means it is going to be GLOW PLUG related, not fuel related like some are saying. If it was a fuel related issue, it would have this problem all of the time, not just when the temps drop. I know this from dealing with these truck for 25 years now. The early year powerstrokes was really bad about glow plug related problems and I can't tell you how many of these trucks I have bought because the customer was tired of spending money on "un needed" parts that was not fixing the problem. So the salesman talks the customer into trading it in and I end up buying them, most with new pumps, new glow plugs, new batteries and come to find out it is either the pigtail under the valve cover or the relay. (both a total of 100. to fix).
Posted 2008-11-04 4:06 PM (#94258 - in reply to #94256) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2008-11-04 4:35 PM
The starting/cranking problem shows to be if the temps get to 50 or below. This means it is going to be GLOW PLUG related, not fuel related like some are saying. If it was a fuel related issue, it would have this problem all of the time, not just when the temps drop. I know this from dealing with these truck for 25 years now. The early year powerstrokes was really bad about glow plug related problems and I can't tell you how many of these trucks I have bought because the customer was tired of spending money on "un needed" parts that was not fixing the problem. So the salesman talks the customer into trading it in and I end up buying them, most with new pumps, new glow plugs, new batteries and come to find out it is either the pigtail under the valve cover or the relay. (both a total of 100. to fix).
The Ford dealers around here don't know their ass from third base. That's why I suggested she contact these folks.... http://www.southeasterndiesel.com/
They are about 30 minutes from Pat Dunn. They trouble shoot, remove and repair. Just get the vehicle to their shop. They'll build them from mild to wild!! Check out their web site, some of the finest folks you'll ever meet.
Posted 2008-11-04 4:34 PM (#94260 - in reply to #94244) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Veteran
Posts: 296 Location: Tennessee
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2008-11-04 11:40 AM
This is where one needs to look at the entire post and think for a min... This is a new person that posted this thread and could possible be a lady. When a lady has something that will not start 99% of them say my truck wont crank!
Well, if the poster really meant "it turns over but won't fire" instead of "won't crank" then I agree it's probably a bad glow plug relay. I can only go by what's posted, and I'm not in the habit of second-guessing women in my neck of the woods...gets me in trouble every time. :D
Posted 2008-11-04 5:07 PM (#94263 - in reply to #94260) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
tell me about it!
I was trying to save them some money. I have been there and doen that, before I started working on them myself, then I started saving money on repairs.
Posted 2008-11-04 7:08 PM (#94268 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Tarboro NC
Thanks to everyone that responded. I will give these suggestions to my husband (yes I am a lady). Will probably check out Southeastern Diesel also. It is pretty close to where I live.
Posted 2008-11-04 8:08 PM (#94272 - in reply to #94236) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Originally written by hogtownboss on 2008-11-04 9:55 PM
Read the original post! They have replaced the glow plugs and BATTERIES already! So that would elminate the need to change them or check them. The problem is not with the truck not cranking, the truck is not starting COLD!
Not necessarily. I bought a new battery for my car in Aug (this Aug!) and I just had to take it back. It was bad. It happens.
Posted 2008-11-05 10:52 PM (#94364 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Back to the point of the original post!
Yesterday I bought a 1997 Ford F-350 with the 7.3L Powersrtoke engine that was traded in at a local Ford dealership. The customer had it at the dealership for 3 days, spent a little over $2000.00 on injectors, glow plugs, batteries and I can't remember what else they stuck them with, without digging out the ticket. But all of that still did not fix the problem they started with. (will not crank in the mornings since the temps has dropped, but starts fine in the afternoon or if it is plugged in). I take it to my shop, replace the glow plug relay (I had a use one leftover), this morning it started right up, so I called the dealer and asked them why they did not check this item and they told me the customer did not ask them to and all they was to check was why it would not start cold! If this is not a load of BS I don't know what is. I did call the customer and let them know and now they are having words with the dealership.
Posted 2008-11-09 8:12 AM (#94566 - in reply to #94187) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Member
Posts: 25 Location: Dekalb IL
i've replaced teh cam shaft sensor on mine twice and so has my boyfriend on his worktruck. in fact i had the same issue yesterday when i was trying to use the truck to return some lumber, wouldn't start, wouldn't crank. Going back for another new cam shaft sensor now....the batteries, alternator, glow plugs and relay have all been replaced already.....i've heard of a lot of these going out on the late 90's super duties. mine is a 99 and his is a 2000.
Posted 2008-11-09 9:56 AM (#94569 - in reply to #94566) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Originally written by Rebecca on 2008-11-09 8:12 AM
i've replaced teh cam shaft sensor on mine twice and so has my boyfriend on his worktruck. in fact i had the same issue yesterday when i was trying to use the truck to return some lumber, wouldn't start, wouldn't crank. Going back for another new cam shaft sensor now....the batteries, alternator, glow plugs and relay have all been replaced already.....i've heard of a lot of these going out on the late 90's super duties. mine is a 99 and his is a 2000.
When the CPS goes bad, the engine will still crank. CPS = Crankshaft position Sensor.
Posted 2008-11-10 7:47 AM (#94602 - in reply to #94566) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
The 1999 and newer Powerstroke have a little different set up than the older ones. Most of the glow plug and cold starting issues was fixed, then they came up with the cam or crank sensor problems. If theis is your second cam sensor, have them check you crank sensor as well.
Posted 2008-11-10 7:52 AM (#94603 - in reply to #94569) Subject: RE: 96 F350 Won't Crank!
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
YES, it will still turn over but will not start. Sometimes you can wiggle the wire going to it and it will start and run. Something else that will cause them to turn over and not start is if they are low on oil. I have had 1 that showed to be just barely touching the dip stick and would not start. Put 3 ouarts of oil in it to fill it and WOW, started right up! Powerstrokes do not have an actual injector pump, they work off of a high presure oil pump on the top part of the engine, so low oil or low oil presure you will have a stroker that will not start.
96 F350 Won't Crank!
It has only about 150,000 miles on it. Any suggestions on what to do next would be appreciated.
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