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 mitchell says:
January 3rd, 2013 at 5:03 am   starstarstarstarstar      

have 1999 ford 250, 7.3 diesel. 140,000 miles. will crak fine, however after I drive it and stop some place, it want start back up. Just been doing this a few days. some time, if I let it sit 30 min, it will crank up ok. Motor truns over fine, new batteries, oil good, just changed fuel  filter and glow plug senconer. Wait light works ok. any suggestions?

Nicole Belyeu says:
May 4th, 2022 at 2:07 am         

Bill, did you ever determine what the problem was? My 2002 F-250 is doing this "not starting" after being shut off between 21 minuts and an hour. I had to wait 2 hours tonight before it would start. It seems to not be getting fuel during this time frame. Could you lend any wisdom from your expericane?

tomahawk says:
January 6th, 2013 at 1:45 am   starstarstarstarstar      

sell the P.O.S and buy a duramax.....problem solved thats what i did and i havent had any problems with my ford because some other sucker has to deal with it

Cole Katus says:
January 29th, 2013 at 12:49 am   starstarstarstarstar      

Hey, I have a 2003 7.3 power stroke.  One day it starts fine and you let it set overnight and it won't start. It is setting in a heated shop to where it is 58 degrees in and still won't start... What could it be??? Got any ideas????

Rick says:
February 6th, 2013 at 4:25 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

I have a '95 f-250 PSD that just quit on me while driving down the freeway at 65mp. when it came to a stop, I turned the key and WST light came on.  It turned over very fast and registered on the tach but would not start, jit just turned over freely.  I had a spare CPS so I installed it, but still no start.  I checked the fuel bowl, it was full and the filter was clean. So I checked the HPOP reservior and had to put in close to a quart of oil. Nothing changed so I had to be towed home. Next day I checked for external oil but none anywhere. No contaminates in the radiator. I pulled the valve covers, and the new injectors installed 75K ago still looked new.  I turned the motor over and no oil came out the injectors but the reservoir dropped obout 3". I cracked the fitting from the HPOP at the drivers side head, turned it over and oil oozed out. 

 

Now I'm lost. Can't believe it's injector seals that would instantly stop the engine. No leaking oil externally, no oil coming from injectors when turned over, appears to have oil coming from the HPOP, Oil is being pumped from the reservior but to where? No discarge from the exhaust. I  don't believe a '95 has a fuel injector module. Don't know how to test the PCM. I could use some help on this.  Thanks

Casey says:
May 29th, 2013 at 11:50 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

Hey I have a 1999 ford 550 7.3 running perfect all week then today I cranked it it ran for 1.2 mins and cut off like I turned the key. Cranked right back up. Ran for 1 min cut off same thing over and over and over. Oil level is right on. Battery's are brand new new alternator. Wtf? Giving a icp code. Any ideas? Loose wire? Bad connection ? Help!!!

Nick says:
July 20th, 2013 at 5:49 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

The shop I work at has a 1997 international 4700 rollback with the t 444e motor will start on starting fluid but not on its own found that the ford ecm in cab has a short to voltage on pin 56 signal return to ecm from crank sensor so I have no injector pulse where do I find ecm sent this one to 3 places it cant be rebuilt but I can see no board damage and cant find used ecm no where                ....... <a href="mailto:Jaxmechanic@yahoo.com">Jaxmechanic@yahoo.com</a>

jeff sadler says:
September 2nd, 2013 at 10:14 am   starstarstarstarstar      

I have a 97 ford f 350 with a 7.3 powerstroke  and I have replaced the idm,icp cam sensor ,hpop ,lpop all 8 injectors, exhaust back pressure sensor,and my truck  will not start ,I do not what other direction to go need help .

mike payne says:
November 13th, 2013 at 6:55 am   starstarstarstarstar      

i have an early 99 7.3- 6speed new cps new ipr valve fresh oil change- starting is a nightmare-turn key on wait for light to go out and all it will do is roll over will not fire. after about 40 min i can hit it with a quick shot of ether fires right up and can go- to plug it in no problems there but if it sits for more than 6hrs will not start again in summer or winter any suggestions?

adam c says:
December 5th, 2013 at 8:06 pm   starstarstarstarstar      

I have a 2000 F 250 Super Duty, when you turn the key to the run position to start there is no check engine light test or relay noise, no power to fuel pump and overdive off light is lit as soon as you turn the key to start, and the wait to start light isnt coming on

Pj says:
March 27th, 2014 at 12:25 am   starstarstarstarstar      

I have 1996 7.3 ford diesel that have put new high pressure oil pump on and a new fuel pump and fuel pressure reg and new egr control solenoid new camshaft sensor and reseal the fuel inj with new o ring the truck still want start pls help

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