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Won't start. Need advice from someone smarter than me.

2K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  secondarychaos 
#1 · (Edited)
:dunno:
I have a 96 F-350 7.3L with 149k miles on it. It has been running fine, but 2 days ago it suddenly refused to start. It has 2 new batteries and spins over good and fast. It tries to start, but acts like its only hitting on 3 or 4 cylinders and has a loud fuel knock. This is what I have checked so far:
Cranking fuel press. is 60 psi.
Oil reservoir is full.
VC harnesses checked good with ohm meter.
New fuel filter.
No check eng. light on or trouble codes present.
New glow plug relay, haven't checked glow plugs yet.
Disconnected right bank inj. harnesses. Won't even try to fire.
Disconnected left bank inj. harnesses. Will try to fire but won't start.

I should also mention that when I am cranking it I have a battery charger hooked up to assist the batteries and
it is inside a heated shop out of the cold.

I am leaning toward the IDM being the culprit. I am a heavy truck mechanic by trade, but have no experience on the Powerstroke fuel system. Am I on the right track or am I way off base? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I have a buddy that owns a salvage and can probably borrow a used IDM or other parts to use for diagnosis. Thanks.
 
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#2 ·
Well i dont know that i am smarter than anyone else here ,but i have done a fair amout of reading on the site.Try the cam position sensor.Its quick and easy to replace.Does the rpm guage move when your turning it over?Apparantly that is linked to the cps.Greg
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply. To be honest, I didn't notice if the tach was working. I will go to the shop later and see. Am thinking I might go to my buddies tomorrow and beg for any parts I can get my hands on. That way I can use what I need and take the rest back or just pay for it all and put it away for later.
 
#5 ·
Yea the CPS was just a bad one for these trucks. Mine got so bad it would die going down the road or just at idle. Never kept it from starting but that's just me. Got it done under the recall and no problems at all since then.
I'm thinkin maybe IDM cause of the rough cranking.
 
#10 ·
:thumb:Glad someone likes it.
I wish OSU woulda won. If they did, Tech probably would be going to the Holiday Bowl. That means free trip for the band, which means free trip for me:hehe:
 
#8 ·
yes all idms up thru 2003 7.3 will work.the newer idms put out more volts which will improve performance slightly so the newer the better.did you check all fuses? the fuel heater in the bowl has been known to short out and blow a fuse under the hood causing truck not to start.
 
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