Ford 350 Powerstroke won't start

[flight recorder]

Not sure how often the Shade Tree forum is read but thought I'd give it a try as I'm stumped. I've got a 98 Ford Powerstroke diesel truck. Drove it home one day and parked it, no sign of trouble. Didn't need it for a couple of weeks then went to start it and it really laboured to turn the engine over, sounded like it was turning but slowly.

Thought it was the battery and after charging didn't work bought a new one and even with a full charge and my charger set at 80a start mode, then 200a start mode, nothing but a click. Sounds like the relay but if I short the relay near the battery it doesn't do anything.

I've considered the range sensor, the starter solenoid and the starter itself but short on time and wondered if anyone could narrow the problem for me with the info given.

flight recorder

 

[Publius]

Is this a Diesel engine?

 

[Thunderbird]

You have an electrical problem, Are all connections clean, corrosion free? Starter/ solenoid Ok? Wireing in good shape?

 

[flight recorder]

Well I figured it to be electrical but not sure where to look. Like I say, I tried shorting the solenoid near the battery. If it was failed then shorting would bypass it and crank the starter but that didn't work. I have to crawl under it and see what I can see. From what I've been able to find out it could be the starter solenoid on the starter motor itself or the range sensor or the starter motor or many other things. I live an hour away from a garage so if I can't find it then it's an expensive tow job.

flight

 

[cowboy]

First you should not have two solenoids, most Fords are on the inside fender by the battery. If this is what you have then I would re-clean every battery connection including both major terminals on the solenoid as well as the ground to be block before messing with the starter although it could be the connection there it is more apt to be up top

 

[Jerry]

Shot in the dark since I don't have a diesel but gas injected..... There is a thing called hydrolock that can happen when an injector fails and leaks into a cylinder. Usually it is only a few slow cranks to a start, but can happen after sitting for a while and try to start with a fail. The booster pump repressurizes the fuel system making the injector leak again and the cylinder fills even more with fuel, eventually locking up the engine.

I would probably check the starter first though, before backing off injectors to check for fuel in the cylinder...... have you jumped direct to the terminal on the starter ?

Good Luck.

 

[flight recorder]

Got it going! Replaced the solenoid at the battery with no luck but then went to the next logical thing, the starter. Thankfully that was the problem but I had to pay $100 more than what I'd have paid online to get it but had to get it done. Cowboy, just fyi there are actually three solenoids in that thing, one at the battery, one on the starter and one for the glow plugs! Who'da thunk.

 

[Hognutz]

Got it going! Replaced the solenoid at the battery with no luck but then went to the next logical thing, the starter. Thankfully that was the problem but I had to pay $100 more than what I'd have paid online to get it but had to get it done. Cowboy, just fyi there are actually three solenoids in that thing, one at the battery, one on the starter and one for the glow plugs! Who'da thunk.

Glad you got it going!

 

[tech]

Four...air intake heater

Glad it wasn't a leaking injector or cup.

 

[coldoc]

On the powerstroke you need to have a certain voltage available for the ECM and injector control module. You can have enough battery power to turn the engine over, but not enough to fire the injectors. The cam position sensor was also a common problem before they redesigned them, still good to carry one at all times.

 

[Tom McDowell]

On the powerstroke you need to have a certain voltage available for the ECM and injector control module. You can have enough battery power to turn the engine over, but not enough to fire the injectors. The cam position sensor was also a common problem before they redesigned them, still good to carry one at all times.

All the above and the wiring underneath the drivers side valve cover.

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