cylinder 8 contribution/balance fault

[kilgeze]

I have a 2000 with about 260,000 on her. I ran a few diag's yesterday and the only thing it came up with was the cylinder 8 contribution/balance fault. does anyone know what that is or what it means. I am still learing. just need advice cause the mechanic that I am friends with does no work on diesels. so he had no real solid advice.

[kaya@bernhausen]

how does it run? what are your symptoms?

[Sticker Monster]

I get that on my ex also. seems to be a common thing.

SM

[kilgeze]

no real symptons just wont start when its cold and she isn't plugged in. that what started me running the tests. wanted to check the glow plugs they all were fine. still runs great she still puts down 28 psi. so I havent really noticed anything. just don't want to grenade my motor.

[kaya@bernhausen]

how cold? and if not plugged in, doesn't start at all? or just takes long? if so, how long? and how does it run cold when it does fire up, if so?

[kilgeze]

Originally Posted by kaya@bernhausen

how cold? and if not plugged in, doesn't start at all? or just takes long? if so, how long? and how does it run cold when it does fire up, if so?

temp has only got down to the 30's. if I dont plug it in it takes 4 or 5 trys. Or wont start at all. had to put new batterys in cause they kept dying. she runs just fine whe it starts lots of white smoke the whole time trying to start then when she fires there is a big cloud then clears up. I hope this makes sense to your question.

[kaya@bernhausen]

you checked the glow plugs, but did you check the relay? also, did you check that the relay was being commanded on?

[kilgeze]

To tell you the truth no I didnt check the relays. didnt even think about it. would it not show on the scan tool if a relay was bad. dumb quesation. were are the relays located.

[jesilvas]

#8 shows fault usually because of a bad CPS.Black, Grey, & Dark Blue Cam Position Sensor Perdels Test - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com - Read

Cold starting issues:
850CCA min. batteries. Load test separately.
Clean connections. Good cables.
What weight oil and when was the last change?
If you don't know why oil matters in starting running - How HEUI works and best to convert - Read
5W40 is a great oil, and works great in cold, but still protects against heat.
For starting, check your glow plug relay, glow plugs, and the under valve cover wire harness (supplies power to the GPs).

[kaya@bernhausen]

it will not show on a scan tool. the relay is located in the valley, to the passenger side.
there will be 2 near identical relays. one is for the intake heater, the other is for the glow plugs. just follow the wires to differentiate which is which. i would definitely start there for a hard start cold issue.
if it runs fine once it does start, i highly doubt it's an actual injector issue. sometimes the #8 contr. is thrown as a phantom code. sometimes caused by the outdated cam sensor.
as mentioned, check to see the color of the cam sensor you have.