DIESEL BLOG
Crank No Start 7.3 Power Stroke
March 9th, 2008 at 5:12 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

Help my 7.3 Power Stroke cranks but will not start.  So lets put down that can of starting fluid and figure out why it won't start instead of causing more damage.  The first step in a 7.3 no start is to simply check the oil level.  Yes the oil level.  Your engine could be low by just 3-4 quarts causing a hard start.  Unlike other diesel engines the Powerstroke has two oil pumps.  One to lubricate the engine components and the other to operate the fuel injectors. 

    Next lets sit in the driver's seat.  Turn the key on, does the "Wait to start light" come on?  If the light does not light up check the 30 amp fuse under the steering wheel.  This fuse will operate the fuel bowl heater and a power circut for the powertain control module.  A common 7.3 PSD problem is the fuel bowl heater shorting out under the fuel filter, which in turn blows the fuse. 

   Try and crank the engine.  If you have a tach guage does it move?  If the computer does not see a tach signal it will not turn on the fuel.  The truck must also crank fast enough.  If it is not cranking fast enough it won't generate a signal for the camshaft position sensor.

  Next step is checking glow plugs.  Generation one and two powerstrokes will vary in their glow plug control, but I will keep this simple.  On most PSD on the passenger side on the engine on top there will be a relay.  This relay has four terminals.  (note sometimes there are two relays next to eachother one is for glow plugs and one is for the intake heater.  Also on some models the glow plug relay will look like a mini control module.  do not go poking around on these wires it requires a different set of tests.)  Most PSD's have the 4 post relay.  One wire will have B+ all the time, across from it on the other big post this is the feed to the glow plugs.  The Two other terminals smaller in size, One is key on power from the ignition switch and the other is a ground controlled by the Powertain Control Module.  Verify That the relay is working.  Even if it makes a click noise, verify the relay has really switched power.  Now the glow plugs will need to pull about 180-190 amps when cold.  This is total for all eight glow plugs.  Yes that is alot of amps so be sure your battery and charging system is up to par.  When your truck losses one glow plug it will become harder and harder to start.  It is only a matter of time till all the glow plugs fail.  Can't see the glow plugs.  That's because they are located under the valve covers.  AAAhhh do not use starting fluid on a hard start.  If you have only 3 glow plugs working and you use starting fluid on it you are going to cause engine damage very quickly. 

  These are just a few 7.3 Power Stroke problems issues to keep in mind on a crank no start.

Posted in PowerStroke 7.3 by Jim Heintz
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BILL WHITLEY says:
February 2nd, 2011 at 2:04 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

I HAVE A 1997 WITH THE 7.3, I REPLACED THE GLOW PLUGS, TIMER(SOLENOID) FUEL PUMP AND RELATED HOSES, STARTED FINE AFTER NEW PARTS,BUT AS OF THIS MORNING -10 DEGREES IT WOULD NOT START, I GAVE IT AN EITHER BUMP AND GOT IT RUNNING,BUT IT IS AGAIN LEAKING FUEL AS IT WAS BEFORE,IT SEEMS THAT WHEN IT GETS COLD THE LEAK DROPS THE FUEL PRESSURE, AND SEEMS TO LOSE IT'S PRIME. NO LEAKS AT THE FUEL BOWL, OR RELATED HOSES AND DOES NOT LEAK ON THE WARM DAYS, ANY IDEAS---STUMPED. THANKS

May 9th, 2011 at 12:39 am   starstarstarstarstar      

hi. im am having this exact problem with my 97 ford psd. ive checked the fuse and it was blown...i put in a new fuse, and it blew as well. i am going to test the glow plugs tomorrow. im not exactly sure how to go about testing them, but have been reading up on forums and have a general idea. another thing, i just changed the oil and its black and thick. what could be causing this? im going to give you my number in hopes you might be able to call me to help me out with my problems. thanks 7862989570. lauren

mark says:
May 14th, 2011 at 5:28 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

I have a 96 powerstroke that wont start, changed cam sensor and still has no smoke, no tach or oil pressure movement as i crank on it. any advice would be greatly appreciated. mark

Tony Keith says:
May 30th, 2011 at 10:09 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

Well, I am kinda in the same situation as most of you. I have a 96 7.3l Powerstroke and I drove the truck to the campground last night and went to start it this morning and nothing. It cranks, runs off starting fluid(it is addicted to it by the way) but will not run. I have today, towed it home, put a new fuel pump on it(again,just put 1 on April 8 of this year) put on a new camshaft position sensor on it, Checked for fuel, Of course got air, got oil pressure to the heads, visably looked at the fuses and it still will not run. I am lost, any suggestions??????? I NEED HELP WITH THIS 1

Robert BN. Allen says:
September 24th, 2011 at 9:10 am   starstarstarstarstar      

Hey, I have a 1996 f 250 7.3 that runs like a champ, however sometimes it won't even turn over.  After turning the ignition several times it does. When it does start it will click twice on the passenger side.  I have not yet seen the same challenge mentioned , Please Help!

Thank You,

Rob in CT

machinegrs@hotmail.com says:
September 29th, 2011 at 11:11 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

I have a ford f 350 6.0, it hasnt started in about 6 months! I checked glow plugs, high pressure oil (2500 psi first cranck, 1500 psi crancking) fuel pressure ( 50 psi), cilinder  compression when the engine is cold (200 psi) what can i do??? i know that the oil pressure when the engine is hot must be around 4000 psi, but how can i know how much the pressure is if i cant get it started? what else can i test?? please!!! i will deeply apreciate your help.

Naccona says:
October 14th, 2011 at 4:41 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

the only thing that i can tell any of you is to check your hpop if its bone dry then that will cause it not to run if you have done anything under the valve cover and messed with the glow plugs then check the hpop and see how much oil is in it.. Im 19 years old and know a little bit about these trucks also if you cant find anything wrong with that you might want to check your F.I.C.M its the fuel injection control moduel and those are known to go bad there are some sweet videos on youtube that will show you how to fix that problem if your any good with a soldering gun anyways let me know if any of this was helpful

Naccona says:
October 14th, 2011 at 4:45 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

sorry the ficm is on the 6.0 not 7.3, i know a little about both so let me know if you dont get this fixed i also know how to delete the egr on the 6.0 without jerking the cab its about a 6 hour job let me know thanx

Chrissy says:
November 11th, 2011 at 7:42 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

i have a 2000 7.3 that wont start when hot or even warm! it will crank but wont start. please help! any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Nicole Belyeu says:
May 4th, 2022 at 2:01 am         

My 2002 F-250 is having the same problem. Did you find a fix for yours?

Thanks for any words of wisdom.

troubled 95 psd says:
November 17th, 2011 at 12:34 am   starstarstarstarstar      

sometimes mywts light comes on, and sometimes it does not.  When it does, my truck will strart. When it doesn't, my truck won't start.  When it doesn't start, I can spray starting fluid into my intake, and then it will finally catch and things will start working and start.  but in a weird way. ( I know better) but its had every psd problem you can imagine, and I've had to fix them all.   could it be that relay on the pass side valve cover?  what's up with it?

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