Engine won't fire.........(I'm going to go insane!!)
11-26-2010, 09:35 PM
#1
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Engine won't fire.........(I'm going to go insane!!)
Here we go again.
Just finished re and re'ing my starter. Got the turd home and was running great. Jumped in it today and won't start. Turns over fine.
I think it's not getting fuel. I tried to pump up the "lift pump??" and can get no pressure on the lever. Both times I tried to prime it I got the engine to almost catch... so I'm pretty sure it's the lift pump. (someone correct me if I'm calling it the wrong name)
What is the SOP for telling if this is pooched or not??
What else should I be checking??
My hair is starting to fall out.................
Just finished re and re'ing my starter. Got the turd home and was running great. Jumped in it today and won't start. Turns over fine.
I think it's not getting fuel. I tried to pump up the "lift pump??" and can get no pressure on the lever. Both times I tried to prime it I got the engine to almost catch... so I'm pretty sure it's the lift pump. (someone correct me if I'm calling it the wrong name)
What is the SOP for telling if this is pooched or not??
What else should I be checking??
My hair is starting to fall out.................
11-26-2010, 09:44 PM
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Even if the lift pump went bad it'd still start. And it won't prime up if its not up on the cam lobe.
Sounds like your shutdown solenoid went bad which would block fuel flow completly.....At the shutdown solenoid make sure the wire on top is there and hooked up.
Sounds like your shutdown solenoid went bad which would block fuel flow completly.....At the shutdown solenoid make sure the wire on top is there and hooked up.
11-26-2010, 09:50 PM
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I checked the wire on the shutdown solenoid. Looks good.
How come it will almost catch when I pump it. (I didn't know about the lobe
) I will try and get it to prime in the morning and see if that will do it.
I'm getting pretty frustrated with this thing. It has run great for ever and now is systematically shutting down on me.
I walked a good mile up and back on the range road to cool down this afternoon.
How come it will almost catch when I pump it. (I didn't know about the lobe
) I will try and get it to prime in the morning and see if that will do it.I'm getting pretty frustrated with this thing. It has run great for ever and now is systematically shutting down on me.
I walked a good mile up and back on the range road to cool down this afternoon.
11-26-2010, 10:18 PM
#5
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In 99% of cases, they will start and run with a dead lift-pump, so I doubt that is the problem.
Did you try a new fuel-filter ??
Do you have a fuel-pressure gauge plumbed in the system ??
Like already suggested, if the filter is not the culprit, it is most likely either the shut-down solenoid not getting KEY=ON power, or the solenoid itself has gone dead.
Put a test-light on the solenoid wire/connection, turn ON the key, and see if it lights.
If there is power to the solenoid, then carefully remove the solenoid by coaxing it to unscrew using a hammer and chisel.
Once the solenoid is out, you can test it by GROUNDing the housing and putting 12-volts to the terminal; the plunger should snap IN with power.
Be careful that you don't lose the spring and plunger while doing this test.
If there is no plunger action, then the solenoid is dead.
Now, you have two choices; either buy a new solenoid; or, remove the plunger and spring, re-install the now-gutted solenoid, and use the manual shut-down lever to kill the engine.
I much prefer the second option, as it eliminates the possibility of a dead solenoid stranding the truck somewhere.
Did you try a new fuel-filter ??
Do you have a fuel-pressure gauge plumbed in the system ??
Like already suggested, if the filter is not the culprit, it is most likely either the shut-down solenoid not getting KEY=ON power, or the solenoid itself has gone dead.
Put a test-light on the solenoid wire/connection, turn ON the key, and see if it lights.
If there is power to the solenoid, then carefully remove the solenoid by coaxing it to unscrew using a hammer and chisel.
Once the solenoid is out, you can test it by GROUNDing the housing and putting 12-volts to the terminal; the plunger should snap IN with power.
Be careful that you don't lose the spring and plunger while doing this test.
If there is no plunger action, then the solenoid is dead.
Now, you have two choices; either buy a new solenoid; or, remove the plunger and spring, re-install the now-gutted solenoid, and use the manual shut-down lever to kill the engine.
I much prefer the second option, as it eliminates the possibility of a dead solenoid stranding the truck somewhere.
11-26-2010, 10:20 PM
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OK....this gets more baffling.
Sorry to all who are reading this rolling there eyes wondering "who is this flake??"
I went out and tried the + battery terminal to the shutoff solenoid and while I was cranking the engine it almost caught once, then twice then started the third time and when I took my foot off the accelerator it died. Then I cranked it again and it fired up and ran. TONS of white exhaust. I undid the "hot wire" and hooked up the normal wire and good to go.
Why why why............
Could this just be a plugged fuel filter?????? So the engine is starving for fuel??
I'm shooting in the dark here.
Sorry to all who are reading this rolling there eyes wondering "who is this flake??"
I went out and tried the + battery terminal to the shutoff solenoid and while I was cranking the engine it almost caught once, then twice then started the third time and when I took my foot off the accelerator it died. Then I cranked it again and it fired up and ran. TONS of white exhaust. I undid the "hot wire" and hooked up the normal wire and good to go.
Why why why............
Could this just be a plugged fuel filter?????? So the engine is starving for fuel??
I'm shooting in the dark here.
11-26-2010, 10:27 PM
#7
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>>> more options <<<
It is also possible that one of the sections of rubber fuel-line has deteriorated and allowing the fuel to leak down and air to intrude the system.
If the line hasn't completely broken off and it has only a small leak, the engine will start on ether and, once started, will most likely run fine until it is shut off again.
A pin-hole rusted through the metal line will behave in like manner.
Were it myself, I would try a little shot of ether before I did anything else.
It is a good idea to dis-connect the grid-heater cables before using ether.
If the line hasn't completely broken off and it has only a small leak, the engine will start on ether and, once started, will most likely run fine until it is shut off again.
A pin-hole rusted through the metal line will behave in like manner.
Were it myself, I would try a little shot of ether before I did anything else.
It is a good idea to dis-connect the grid-heater cables before using ether.
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11-26-2010, 11:45 PM
#8
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Sure sounds like air getting into the system somewhere. But replacing the fuel filter will eliminate that as a potential suspect. The FSS is more then likely working since you got it to fire with a hot wire, then regular ign. power.
11-27-2010, 12:54 AM
#10
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if the truck has #2 diesel in it because the last fillup was september or earlier in the year that could be it but I doubt it would be gelling with #1 diesel. It's been -35 or colder here and I don't run anything for antigel and I've never had a gelling issue.
11-27-2010, 10:24 AM
#11
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Frozen moisture in the fuel.
11-27-2010, 10:35 AM
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Mine wouldn't even cough with a dead LP.......
11-27-2010, 02:50 PM
#14
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As I am quite a bit South, the possibility of gelled fuel or icing did not enter my mind; but, the more I ponder on your situation, the more it reads like either the fuel gelling or ice blocking a line somewhere.
The problem with troubleshooting such a situation and knowing for certain what the culprit really was is that, once the engine fires and things warm up a bit, all the evidence is gone.
The problem with troubleshooting such a situation and knowing for certain what the culprit really was is that, once the engine fires and things warm up a bit, all the evidence is gone.
11-27-2010, 04:30 PM
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I'm thinking you have water in the system too. Along with your new filter put some conditioner (that takes out water) in the fuel.
I have a GMC one ton with 6.2 that I bought not running. Mucked around and got it to run for a little sometimes. Found some water in fuel from filter. Dropped tank, 1" of water in the bottom of the tank. Cleaned out tank, purged fuel lines, new filter, running like a champ ever since.
JP.
I have a GMC one ton with 6.2 that I bought not running. Mucked around and got it to run for a little sometimes. Found some water in fuel from filter. Dropped tank, 1" of water in the bottom of the tank. Cleaned out tank, purged fuel lines, new filter, running like a champ ever since.
JP.