Newbie w/ Starting problem (need help)

[Copperhead]

Hey guys,

Last night I took delivery of a 95 (reg. cab/long bed) F-250 PSD and it seems to have somewhat of a starting problem. I tried starting it this evening and it cranked & cranked but would not start,..........until I sprayed a little starting fluid down the intake tract. I know that this is a big :nono: , but it absolutely would not do anything. I cranked it so much that you could tell the batteries were getting weak.

Could this be an issue with the glow plugs? Todays temps were in the mid 50's, so I don't know if that had anything to do with it or not?

I went back out and tried to start it again 3 hours later (after I let it idle for 20 minutes when I first strated it) and it fired right up.

I bought the truck off Ebay, so I don't know much about the history, or Diesels in general for that matter.

I've never had a diesel before or ever done any work to one, so needless to say I'm somewhat lost as far as what to do. But,......... (not trying to brag), I do have a vast knowledge of mechanics in general and of gasoline engines. As the main reason I bought this truck for, is to pull my 93 F-150 Lightning Drag Truck [That I built from the ground up by myself over a period of almost 2-years] to & from the track. (514 Big-Block that runs high 9's in the 1/4)

Anyone that might be able to shed some light on what my problem might be, I would really appreciate it, as racing season is upon me and I need to get this thing lined out quickly.

[sldghamr]

i have a 96 myself. i had a the same starting problem you have. ended up being the batteries were so bad that the glow plugs didn't heat the cylinders up enough, yet i had enough juice to crank her over.

[stump0331]

[vitalidle]

Also I believe you need at least 10.5 volts to the pcm for the engine to start, so if they are low the truck will turn over, but won't start.

[Banshee34]

I'm not real technical, but WELCOME!!!

[TheBAT]

I would definitely check the glow plug relay and the batteries before jumping into replacing the glow plugs.

[ABOBB]

Welcome to Powerstroke.org

[95PDXLT]

Just for reference my 1995 has almost 190k miles and it starts pretty good even at 15 degrees without being plugged in.(cycle the glow plugs twice) At 50 degrees it should fire right up after the first glow plug cycle.

Not pun intended but you waited till the wait to start light went out before cranking right?

[kaptainkimball]

maybe fuel pump? just an idea

[Copperhead]

Originally Posted by TheBAT

I would definitely check the glow plug relay and the batteries before jumping into replacing the glow plugs.

Yep,....I think that's my best bet.

Originally Posted by 95PDXLT

Not pun intended but you waited till the wait to start light went out before cranking right?

I cycled the glow plugs twice and still no luck (until I shot the starting fluid to it)

Originally Posted by kaptainkimball

maybe fuel pump? just an idea

Something tells me It's not the pump. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't think so.


I really think it's a glow plug issue (relay more than likely)

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. If anyone has anymore, let me hear them.