99 7.3 just quit- wont restart- Need it to feed

[Jayfarmlaw]

99 F 250 4x4
stock motor
AFE intake, Superchips tuner in tow safe, Hay bed
310,000 trouble free, worked but taken care of, miles

Was going to pull some people out this mornning and the truck just quit...out of the blue, no surging, popping, nothing. Sitting idling in gear staring at the predicament the people were in. Just like you turned the key off. Would not restart. I carry a spare CPS and put it in. No change.

Checked and made sure lift pump was working. It was. Diesel was clear and clean.

Checked the fuses. The "Trailer Battery Recharge" Maxi fuse under the hood was blown. Dont know if it is related because I dont have any trailers with batteries. All other accessories seem to work fine.

Last month, replaced o-rings in the engine mounted oil cooler. No problems.

It has been cold here in the 20's but truck started just like normal without being plugged in. Pulled it home and plugged it in and still no change. Fuel was treated with double anti gel at last fill up.

Other than that, it just quit. It has been used alot recently to pull people out of snow drifts but nothing abusive or out of the ordinary. I did get stuck in a drift but nothing insane. Pulled it out with the tractor.

Im at a total loss. Any ideas of where to go next would be greatly appreciated. No way to check codes until I pull it into the mechanics on Monday. Trying to Save some $$$$. Thanks in advance for your response. Happy new year.

Jay
Tuttle, OK.

[twildman]

Is the fuel bowl heater still plugged in? IF so unplug it, change the bad fuse, and try it.

Also, have you checked the oil?

[forddieseldoctor]

see if you can come up with a code reader. otherwise check your ipr connector. have seen a few of them come unsnapped. will cause a no start. is located down in front of the fuel filter. 2 wires in connector.

[cpayne6335]

I had the same problem, it just quit running..... unplug the fuel bowl heater, and replace the 30 amp fuse under the dash and it ran fine. I think it is lower left side on a 99.5.

for the cold, I am not sure..... I live in southern Ohio, and the coldest I started the truck was about 20 outside with no heater pluged in and it started ok. also have been running "cold weather" diesel (the pump says rated for -20) and no problems with the fuel yet.... and I keep one diesel 911 bottle handy just in case.

[PowerStatement]

Just out of the blue... but have you had the batteries checked? I had a bad cell in one battery and my truck wouldn't heat glowplugs enough to fire....Worth a try

[melmount]

its the number 30 fuse. If its popped no power to the main computer.(bottom right fuse)30 amp i believe. If its bad unplug the fuel bowl heater as stated. When it goes it shorts the fuse and truck wont run.Be just like its not getting any fuel.

[Jayfarmlaw]

OK it started...but I dont know why. I replaced the Max fuse under the hood (Trailer Battery charge) and no change(nor did it blow the fuse again). I swapped the relays around under the hood and disconected the fuel heater element. It started then.

It only started once I disconnected the fuel heater and swapped the relays.

I guess this means bad fuel heater...right? I cant get to it to run an ohm test on it. # 30 fuse in the cab never blew??? Does that mean it was something else all along and I have a gremlin? I will let it run for a bit and go feed to test it out to see iof it quits again. I have a couple of extra 30 amp maxi fuses just in case

Thanks again for all the help and fast response. I thank you and the girls (cows) thank you. By the way, I used to be member of a forum called Ford Diesel .com and they had to change their name to the Dieselstop because Ford got mad....Is this site related? My old links did not work so I found you guys. GrEAt site and I love the 911 section!!!!

Im sure you guys will see me again. Have a happy new year. If you guys need a lawyer in Oklahoma, I will return the favor.

Jay

[melmount]

usually when the fuel heater is bad the #30 fuse goes. But its possible it was shorting out, but did not pop it? ( i doubt it, but anything is possible) I would plug it back in and use it that way. If it does it again unplug it try to start it, then recheck the fuse it does not start. Truck will not run with that fuse out unless some one else wired the truck differently. BUt you dont need the fuel heater , but to help pin point the problem put it back.I like to know exactly whats up. Or leave it and if it happens again, you know what it isn't.