won't start..cold? - Diesel Forum

WarDogz · 12-07-2005, 06:17 AM

this is the first year my van sometimes won't start in the morning. It turns over fine and when listening, the cranking sound sorta changes...I'm assuming it's a pressure difference? It's a 7.3L PSD. It isn't that cold yet, maybe in the lower 30's/upper 20's over night and I've only had this problem a half dozen times. After turning on and off the key several times, waiting for the glow plug light to go off repeatedly, it has started up. This morning she's being stubborn. I found a heater plug (?) and plugged it in to an AC plug hoping this will help.
Is there anything that can be added to the fuel to help prevent this? or is it something else?

MADVAN · 12-07-2005, 09:37 AM

In 20/30deg temps if your batts and glow system are good it should start. If you plug in it will allways start better. You need 3hrs of plug in time to see benefits. Load test your batts then check glow system.
What year is your van?
BILL

WarDogz · 12-07-2005, 06:18 PM

Thx for the reply MADVAN,
It's an 02 e350 and I have had the battery go down to the point where it needed charging (left the lights on all day). I've been considering getting a new one.

I think I'll pick up one of those programable timers to turn on at 2 am and plan on using the built in heater thingy.

MADVAN · 12-07-2005, 10:36 PM

You have two batts in the van. The second batt is mounted under the van by the side door.

Bill

Yardbrew · 12-08-2005, 09:07 PM

Let us know what happens when you plug in the heater.

If that helps the starting problem, you have narrowed down the cause.

Yardbrew

WarDogz · 12-10-2005, 04:21 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Let us know what happens when you plug in the heater.

If that helps the starting problem, you have narrowed down the cause.

Yardbrew

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes plugging in the heater definately helped. Infact just yesterday at the end of the work day it wouldn't start again. I was told I likely had some bad glowplugs.

Should they go bad within 35k miles?

I have another problem that developed yesterday as well. When I got almost home from work I started hearing what sounded like a squeak in the dash. By the time I got close to home it was a full blown whine. It's coming from the engine compartment. When the van first starts up now it sounds like a cross between a clank and a rattle.. almost like something is being hit by the fan but I can't see anything or any fluid. However whatever it is is affecting the brakes. Brake pedal is hard to press and after a little while the brakes won't grab at all. It sounds like it's coming from the drivers side of the engine. I do have fluid in the brake reservoir.

Any ideas? 02 e350 7.3L PSD

MADVAN · 12-10-2005, 04:46 PM

Your vac pump needs to be replaced!!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]
Mine did the same. Tried to pull off road and had no stopping power at all. Then the brake light lit up in dash.
Bill

WarDogz · 12-11-2005, 02:17 PM

you the man-VAN!
Thx for that info, do you think the warrenty covers the repair? I have 35k on the van..bought it 2 years ago. Is it something I can do or is it way involved?

MADVAN · 12-12-2005, 08:42 AM

You can do it. Only special tool needed is to remove and install the pully on the pump. But if you can get it changed for free under warr why not.

Bill