95 PSD Intermittent No-Start. When it starts acts normal

[jamesthebikeguy]

Hello,

I have been chasing a intermittent no start issue with my 95 e350. The PSD seems to run fine when it does start, but occasionally it will not start until sitting for a while. It has caused me to be stranded 3 times now, and this last time I gave up and got a tow.

When it does not start, the glow plug light goes on, and will turn over at a normal speed, seemingly never firing.

I have noticed that 2 of the 3 times, it has been low on oil, though I have not confirmed this has anything to do with it.

First no start (over 1 month ago) the truck sat for 20-30min and then started up on its own as if there was no issue at all. Only thing I noticed that time was it was low on oil (just under the range on the dip stick) and while waiting on the truck I kept bumping the ignition until it eventually started.

2nd no start, did the same thing, was again slightly low on oil (added oil this time) truck sat with occasional trial starts for about 4 hours until it started again as if there was no problem

3rd time (today) I was at a busy plaza so I ordered a AAA tow after about 15min of wasting my time trying to bump the ignition unsuccessfully. Tow truck arrived went through everything, fluids seemed fine, tried the truck a few times before being loaded onto the flatbed, and nothing. Dropped off of the truck at my home, and started right up, to the amusement of myself and the tow truck driver.

I do most of my own work so I would like to tackle this challenge but this is concerning because I have not gotten it to replicate a no-start issue when I try to diagnose the problem. Not sure I should take it to a repair shop if the issue can't be replicated.

Thank you for any help ya'll can provide. In my searching of the forums, the CPS is only a few months old, and I replaced the glow plug relay as a 1st step into solving this starting problem, after the 1st issue.

[BigFuel]

Miles? Keep a Allen wrench that is the correct size as the HPOP cover plug and flashlight so that you can see into the HPOP sump. If there is no oil in it after cranking for 10 seconds then I'd point to the LPOP not feeding it for some reason. Could be worn could have excessive drain back. Otherwise check CPS, IPR, and fuel pressure.

[madpogue]

When it doesn't start, does the tach move when you crank it?

How _old_ is the oil (how many miles on it)?