My truck has been sitting for about 2 months with no fuel. I was only driving it around the yard in 4wheel drive because the pinion in the rear end was busted. I finally fixed the rear end issues. I put 2 gallons of diesel in it. It will start within 2-3 seconds when you crank it, then runs for about a second and dies. I've tried anywhere from no throttle to wide open, same thing. I primed and bled the injection pump with the bleeder screw on top. I can prime it enough to get the overflow valve to open if the bleeder is closed. I also cracked open all the injectors 1 at and made sure fuel came out. I even cracked 3 at a time. I am still getting the same results. I plan to change the fuel filter next, but I discovered something weird today.....When I cranked and the truck started, I forgot to release the key from "start". The truck ran until I released the key. I know it's really bad for the starter since it's engaged the whole time, but I tried it again....I left it in start for a couple seconds and even revved the engine a little...seemed to run fine, again until I released the key and it immediately died. Any thoughts?

 

Sounds like the hold circuit on the solenoid isn't holding. Turn the key on and manually lift the solenoid to see if it stays. It may need adjusting, it may need replacing, since the hold circuits don't go bad very often. Remove the solenoid completely to see if the truck will run on its own.

 

Well I don't think it's the solenoids. Left the key in run and used a screwdriver to short the leads directly on the starter, and it still has the same behavior. I put 2 more gallons of fuel in and tried bleeding thru the injector lines again, still no change. I actually don't know if I'm bleeding the injectors right...I unscrew 3 lines a couple turns, crank the engine over, let it start then die 3 times, and then retighten them. I can see fuel spraying out when I have them loose. I can't find my haynes repair manual so maybe I'm missing something?

 

Go back and follow Tate's suggestion
The fuel shut down solenoid is a 2 coil circuit of hold & lift
Key on only powers the solenoid "hold" circuit, but is not enough to move the plunger. The key in start position energizes the stronger "lift" circuit in the soleniod.
By the engine running with the key held in start position possibly means the hold circuit is not functioning.
Also, check fuse #9 in the fuse block.

 

It could be a problem with the ignition switch too. Put the key in eth run position and see if there is voltage to the run circuit at the solenoid connector.

 

Fueling around you are the ******* man!!! Thank you so much!!! I had pulled Fuse #9 to use on my other truck, thinking it wasn't anything important. Soon as a put a fuse back in she fired right up!!!!!

 

Thanks
Just don't ask me or listen to me about finding an air leak in your fuel system. Took me 3 months to find a rolled gasket on my fuel heater