Engine won't turn over - Diesel Forum

kcastle · 07-07-2005, 05:43 PM

1990 7.3 IDI, 5 speed

The engine won't turn over by the starter. The starter enguages and jiggles the positive cable. The starter was pulled, tested good, and put back in. All 4 bolts on the starter are tight. Replaced ground cables and batteries. Pulled all the injectors and replaced all the washers and o-rings. Then removed all the glow plugs. If the glow plugs are out, shouldn't the engine have no compression and turn over easily.

What should I check nexy?

Thx, Kevin

nickbf2504x4 · 07-07-2005, 05:48 PM

did it turn the engine over before it was removed?

cdnsarguy · 07-07-2005, 06:53 PM

Did you try rotating the engine with the crankshaft bolt and a socket and ratchet...... if this turns it over then the engine is fine. If the starter engages by that I mean the starter drive goes "completely" into the gear/flywheel but does not spin, sounds like the solenoid may not be making the proper contact to spin the starter drive.

[ QUOTE ]
All 4 bolts on the starter are tight

[/ QUOTE ]

Really.......

kcastle · 07-07-2005, 07:24 PM

There are the 2 bolts on the front, and 2 longer bolts on the back. I think the 2 longer bolts hold the gear reduction unit.

The engine does turn over with a socket, ratchet and pipe. It is very hard to turn over by hand.

BuilderBob · 07-07-2005, 07:41 PM

I really need a sequence of events!
Start the story over, Start with "When the truck was running it would...!"

jdkline · 07-07-2005, 09:40 PM

It should be hard to turn the motor over by hand on a healthy IDI, 300-500lbs of compression X8. This means you're probably not hydrolocked. Are all you connections good, not just the opne to teh starter. What happens if you jump the starter solenoid (fender mount)? Good luck, J.D.

icanfixall · 07-07-2005, 10:26 PM

I don't like throwing money and parts at a problem but from what you are describing sounds to me like the starter is at fault. Its that or you have a bad connection somewhere..... [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

cdnsarguy · 07-07-2005, 10:37 PM

Ok your talking about the actual starter assembly bolts not the ones to the bellhousing........ has the starter been disassembled by anyone recently........

kcastle · 07-08-2005, 12:35 PM

If you jump the starter solenoid with a screw driver, the starter goes to engage but does not turn the engine over.

I'll try to pull the starter again then check it. Anything else I should check besides the commutator and brushes?

cdnsarguy · 07-08-2005, 11:26 PM

Check the solenoid as it is what activates the starter rotation when the main power contact closes after the bendix drive is pulled forward and drive gear into the flywheel..

kcastle · 07-21-2005, 07:15 PM

The starter has been completely rebuilt. The housing was cracked and had to be replaced also. The engine still wont turn over with the glow plugs out.

tim94f250 · 07-21-2005, 08:08 PM

I think you have a bad starter. The solenoid throws the bendix out, but the starter fields must have an open.

kcastle · 07-22-2005, 09:50 AM

The starter was COMPLETELY rebuilt by a very reputable shop here in town.

mgraveman · 07-22-2005, 10:06 AM

I know it's a pain in the butt to get out, but after all the time spent telling everyone that it's not the starter, you could already have it out. I have the same problem on an old truck sitting in the back yard. I will replace the starter frist on my truck.

These things are not always right because somebody else said so. You need to establish that it works for yourself. If the engine turns over, then you have a starter or wiring problem. You need to pull that starter and test it. If it was completely rebuilt, then they should stand behind it.

agnem · 07-22-2005, 10:10 AM

Let's start with some basics. You've verified that the engine will bar over, so we know it is not mechanically bound up. If you can turn it with the human hand, then the starter can turn it. I'd suggest putting a voltmeter on the battery, and then at the starter, and observe what the cranking voltage is. I think you will find your problem there.