99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 99 & up 7.3L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 1999-Up Super Duty trucks and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 7.3L Power Stroke engine.
First, thanks for looking. I'm not sure even how to troubleshoot this problem.
I have a 2002, 7.3L Crew Cab, 88,000 miles. Besides routine maintenance only major part that has failed was the alternator. Been a great truck. On Black Friday I was out shopping, went out to truck and turned key and the starter cranked but never started. I probably let it crank for 10 seconds. Never had that happen before, waited 30 seconds, turned the key and it started right up. I didn't think anything more about it until about a month later I go to Costco, do my shopping come out to the truck to start it and same thing cranks but no start. This time I tried over and over and still nothing. I let it sit for about 5 minutes tried again, same thing...crank but no start. So I got down in the fusepanel and pulled the fuel pump fuse just to make sure it was OK (it was), plugged it back in and tried to start again...started right up. So now I'm a little nervous driving it places but over the course of this past month, never had a problem. 2 days ago, I stop at our church to pickup some letters (maybe there for 10 minutes), I come out and same thing. Cranks but no start. I let it sit for a couple minutes in between tries and after about 4 tries it started up again and I haven't had a problem since.
Where do I even start on this one? It is so intermittent and doesn't seem to matter if the truck is really warm or has been sitting for a while. I haven't had it happen at all when it's cold and it's been really cold here (10-20 degree high's).
I am experiencing this exact same thing!! The only thing that seems to fix it is time. Letting it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. Not sure where to start looking either. Changed the GPR thinking that was problem. Thought it was a short or some electrical problem with my alarm or remote start. I just ordered an AE scan tool hoping that will help. Needed to buy one anyway. Will let you know if I find out anything.
Getting the codes read can go a long way in isolating the problem. Anything else is just guessing, and with the intermittent nature you are having it would be hard to actually be sure you got it.
A few things you can check that won't cost anything are the ICP connector for oil, and the bottom of the main wire harness where it sits on the drivers valve cover. It has an issue of chaffing and shorting out the injectors.
__________________ Tom
99.5 PS CC 4x4 SRW ZF-6
Triple Pillar Gauges; Fuel pres, Pyro, Boost
AE, Alldatadiy, and half a clue
- AKA "The Big White Truck"
Any luck rtalich? Mines been fine since I posted, but then this morning, same thing. Of course my son is in the truck about 20 miles from home. I'm praying it starts for him.
Update: He just called & it started on the third attempt w/ 5 minute breaks in between attempts.
Any luck rtalich? Mines been fine since I posted, but then this morning, same thing. Of course my son is in the truck about 20 miles from home. I'm praying it starts for him.
Update: He just called & it started on the third attempt w/ 5 minute breaks in between attempts.
No, I haven't had an episode for quite some time now. All looks good and normal with AE... makes sense of course because its running perfectly fine.
I am thinking, however, that my problem may have something to do with the fact that I haven't been very good about oil change maintenance in the past. Especially this last oil change. I've been letting too much time go between changes and also checking oil levels. So, I'm thinking that it got too low and with not so good oil. I did have one episode the day after I did the oil change but not since. That may have been because the good/new oil hadn't fully flushed out the old... make sense? I hope I'm not jinxing myself because I now have to go and pick up my son from daycare
Made it back OK!!
Forgot to mention... CPS went out a couple years ago and batteries were replaced last summer.
In cases like this, I ask whether you have a chip/programmer? If so pull it and leave it out for a while to ascertain whether the problem still exists or went away. If problem continues, than it was not likely the chip. If problem clears up for sure, than clean the contacts on the chip and reinstall, as it could have been vibrated loose and making poor contact. If problem comes back, the chip may be failing.
If the above swaps clears the chip from being a problem (or you do not have a chip), then look at the cps. Ford has offered new cps if you still have original so that could be the next step to take. Or else buy a replacement and install it to see if that cures the problem. Cps units can behave nice at times and fail to work at others, irregularly, as they go out on you.
Another area to try is the batteries. When batteries start failing, they may or may not have enough juice to crank the engine and have enough volts to power the computer and allow engine to start every time. Just because the engine turns over briskly, do not fail to realize it must have a certain voltage level or the computer will not allow engine to run - I guarantee this can fool you easily.
__________________
Lake Norman at Denver NC 1999 250 PSD (built Sept 98) Lariat XLE7 CC Auto LWB 4WD ESOF ABS 3.73LS X-Caliber cap BFG 285E AT/KOs Jayco-TT 31BHS
David: I had the CPS changed about 4 years ago under warranty after the TSB came out. I had actually purchased a new one and I still have that in my glove box just in case. You think it's still worth swapping out the CPS? Like I said, I have one sitting there. My truck is totally stock so have never had anything chipped or modified. I purchased brand new set of batteries for the truck probably a 18 months ago and I've replaced the alternator twice since I've had it. Fortunately I bought a Napa heavy duty alternator with lifetime replacement so I only had to pay for it once .
rtalich: I was hoping it might be the oil change as well and I was due, so I did a complete oil change about 2 weeks ago. I really was figuring that could have been it because I was about a quart plus 1/2 low. That's why I was bummed two days ago when it happened again.
David: I had the CPS changed about 4 years ago under warranty after the TSB came out. I had actually purchased a new one and I still have that in my glove box just in case. You think it's still worth swapping out the CPS? Like I said, I have one sitting there. My truck is totally stock so have never had anything chipped or modified. I purchased brand new set of batteries for the truck probably a 18 months ago and I've replaced the alternator twice since I've had it. Fortunately I bought a Napa heavy duty alternator with lifetime replacement so I only had to pay for it once .
rtalich: I was hoping it might be the oil change as well and I was due, so I did a complete oil change about 2 weeks ago. I really was figuring that could have been it because I was about a quart plus 1/2 low. That's why I was bummed two days ago when it happened again.
Thanks again for the help.
Well there goes that theory. I'm in my truck right now and it won't start. And I don't have my computer!!!! This sucks!!
David: I had the CPS changed about 4 years ago...... I had actually purchased a new one and I still have that in my glove box just in case. You think it's still worth swapping out the CPS? Like I said, I have one sitting there.
In that case what have you got to loose? At this stage it won't cost you any more money, just some time and dirty hands! Note that the cps unit can fail at any age, and even the "new" one you carry could actually not work right.
__________________
Lake Norman at Denver NC 1999 250 PSD (built Sept 98) Lariat XLE7 CC Auto LWB 4WD ESOF ABS 3.73LS X-Caliber cap BFG 285E AT/KOs Jayco-TT 31BHS
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Will remember to do that tomorrow.
F250 XLT Crew Cab 6.0L Powerstroke FX4 162,000miles,
Linear Mode
