Stuck in the Netherlands with 1998 7.3 liter please help!! - Diesel Forum

jmhjohns · 07-28-2007, 03:47 PM

Hi I had my 1998 Ford E-350 7.3 turbo deisel shipped to holland from here i want to drive to Israel. My van has about 160000miles and i have three questions i need help with.

1. Went out to truck today and it would not start. All dash lights come on but when i turn the key It does not turn over. No click, click , click. It did not sound like the starter was engaging so i changed it but same problem?

2. Before todays problem i had an strange intermittent grinding vibration from the rear end. Happens very seldom and usually up around 50-60mph. It happens when i accelerate or decelerate. Sometimes i can drive 500 miles without ever hearing the sound then it happens. It has happened about 10 times in the year i have owned it. I had the rear end replaced at a ford dealer two months ago [for other reasons] and it still happened when driving out to the east coast. I would really like to identify what this is before i head off again.

3. Is there somewhere i can get info on 1998 turbo deisels? It seems that the 1998's don't get alot of mention or attention and i would like to have a good resource?

I sure would appreciate any help i can get i have my family with me and we have a long way to go.
thanks
Jason

**SmokeyWren** · 07-28-2007, 08:28 PM

[ QUOTE ]
3. Is there somewhere i can get info on 1998 turbo deisels? It seems that the 1998's don't get alot of mention or attention and i would like to have a good resource?

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no such thing as a 1998 Ford diesel pickup, so you won't hear much about them. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

But there were 1998 Ford diesel e-Vans, as you know. Folks in the E-Van forum right here on TheDieselStop should be a good place to get good info. I'll advise the moderators of your post, and one of them will probably move it to the E-Van forum. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/warmsmile.gif[/img]

**klhansen** · 07-28-2007, 08:48 PM

[ QUOTE ]
1. Went out to truck today and it would not start. All dash lights come on but when i turn the key It does not turn over. No click, click , click. It did not sound like the starter was engaging so i changed it but same problem?

[/ QUOTE ]
Your van has a starter relay in addition to the one on the starter. It's located by the right side battery. The start signal goes thru the ignition switch, thru the shifter (neutral safety switch) and then to the relay to pull that in, which connects the large gauge wiring to power the starter itself.

You may have an problem with either the ignition switch, the neutral safety switch, or the relay by the battery. If you pull the small wire off the relay and get 12V volt on that wire when someone turns the key to start, then replace the relay. If you don't get 12 V, you need to look at the neutral safety switch. It may not be completely in P when you're starting (try moving the shifter to N from P to see if it works). If that checks out OK, and it still won't start, it may be your ignition switch.

Don't know what might be causing your grinding in the driveline, but the first place I'd check would be u-joints.

Good luck, and Welcome to TheDieselStop [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

FULLAUTO · 07-28-2007, 11:34 PM

did you check to see if baterries are fully charged?maybe they ran down when shipped? what did ford do to rear rebuild or replace with new or remaned?Wade
all the info you need is here ask away most of the members wil be glad to help!WELCOM to DIESELSTOP

jmhjohns · 07-29-2007, 06:37 AM

Hi Thanks everyone for the help.
This may sound like a lot to ask but what does the relay look like?

Thanks
Jason

jmhjohns · 07-29-2007, 06:41 AM

Hi
Is there a place online where i could order an ignition switch, nuetral safety switch, and relay? Is changing these parts something i could do myself?

thanks

Jason

cdnsarguy · 07-29-2007, 11:44 AM

For picture to certain items.....look on...... NAPA web page

There are several Ford dealers who might ship overseas......

Fordpartsonline.com , Kearney mesa ford http://billm.web.aplus.net/ and many more others here may know.

jmhjohns · 07-29-2007, 12:31 PM

Thank you

The Ford export parts dealer will be a big help. I would like to test the above mentioned relay but i am not sure what it looks like. If anyone can tell me what it looks like i would really appreciate it.

I appreciate all the fast replies it is a big help to me.

fulltimer50 · 07-29-2007, 05:56 PM

On my truck (a pickup)the relay looks just like the glow plug relay. Couple of small wires and two large battery type wires coming out of a round looking relay. Try following the large wire away from the starter. Get a test light and/or a small multi meter. They are a lot cheaper than buying parts to trouble shoot.
Where are you in NL?

strayder · 07-29-2007, 05:57 PM

Over here, in Norway, we call the starter relay the Bendix relay...
You have one relay to "push" the "starter rod" to engage with the fly wheel teeth and then, when it is firmly secured with the fly wheel, the bendix relay (that isn't more than a round bit of copper at the "end" of the rod that "short curcuits" the curcuit and starts the acctual starting). Sounds to me that you might have a bad connection either at the bendix relay or at the batterys.... Since your dash light is gone when you try start. Clean the batterys well and then try again...

My two cents...

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

oystein · 07-30-2007, 02:01 AM

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If anyone can tell me what it looks like i would really appreciate it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Standing in front of the van, the relay is mounted on the left fender right above the headlight. Really easy to access once you've removed the battery....

jmhjohns · 07-30-2007, 06:08 AM

We are in the province Zeeland in a town called Zaamslag. I know it sounds kind of wierd it is actually pronounced zomeslaw. We are here visiting with my wifes grandfather who is ill. I had our ford e 350 mini shuttle bus shipped here for three reasons. It has a wheelchair ramp in it for my wife. 2 we have four kids and we can camp out in it. 3 it was cheaper to ship it here $2600US than to rent a car while we stayed here. From here, in a week and a half, we hope to start our drive to Israel were i will go to school for a year.

Hope that sheds a little light on things.

I am going out to the van this morning to find the starter relay and test it. I will keep you updated on how things go.

Thanks guys i would not have known where to begin without your help,

Sincerely,

Jason