wont start

[kilrspd]

hi all this is my first post, my names jon and i just bought my first diesel truck. my trucks a 86 f250 with 6.9l with a banks sidewinder turbo kit and i cant get it to start up without using starting fluid after it starts its fine will run forever if i let it. the guy i got it from said its the injection pump so i went on youtube to figure out if that could be it and youtube videos prettymuch say it would run like crap or just die and i dont have either problem, so any ideas. i do know it smokes white smoke alot after it warms up though.

 

[lindstromjd]

Glow plugs. Replace them with Beru/Motorcraft brand. If you use any other brand, you'll be doing it again within a year and your "savings" will go down the drain.

 

[riotwarrior]

First Welcome to the site,

Second check the Glow plugs and the controller LOOK IN FA! and Tech section for info and use the search function here as there are tons and tons and tons and did I mention TONS of threads on GP's and hard start. Also gander at the Hall of shame too so you keep yer hard earned cash!

As stated Motorcraft/Beru ZD1's for a 6.9 IIRC flat spade connector.

Use a test light and connect the clip to the battery + lead, then take the probe and touch the spades on each GP if it lights it is at the least working...however we cannot tell how well.

Oh and don't forget to fill in your signature so we know what truck and so on you have.

Again welcome to OB

Al

 

[jrad235]

Shoot, mine had the same problem when I got it, only the seller completely lied about it and said "Oh yeah, just cycle the plugs a few times, it'll start."
That was awesome, trying to get it to start the day after I bought it. Killed the batteries too, had to jump it at that point.

Yeah..********! A new set of Beru ZD9's later and she fired up good.(I have different GP's than you, Riotwarriors part # should be good)

 

[Wyreth]

Does your wts light come on? for how long? Do you hear the glowplug contactor clicking on, or off? (when the wts light goes off)

with the wonderful reliability of the 6.9 Glowplug controller, betcha it's shot.

Also, what does this white smoke smell like? Does it smell sweet like coolant?

 

[warhog]

I'm surprised nobody has warned him not to use starting fluid. It's advised to only use if you disconnect power to the glow plugs, otherwise, you could be causing terrible damage to the internals.

 

[lindstromjd]

If the glow plugs are non-functioning, the ether won't hurt a thing. It's when the glow plugs are hot and the ether sticks to them that you cause problems. Ether is a perfectly acceptable way of starting a diesel, provided you know what you're doing. Crank the engine a little, get some fuel in the cylinders, add a small shot of starting fluid and you're good to go.

 

[warhog]

If the glow plugs are non-functioning, the ether won't hurt a thing. It's when the glow plugs are hot and the ether sticks to them that you cause problems. Ether is a perfectly acceptable way of starting a diesel, provided you know what you're doing. Crank the engine a little, get some fuel in the cylinders, add a small shot of starting fluid and you're good to go.

Like i said, only advised when power is disconnected from the glow plugs. Just because they aren't working, why lead someone who is new to diesels into a potentially destructive habit? Ford stamped a warning on our air cleaners not to use for it a reason...best to explain it thoroughly, just because we know it's ok right NOW because they aren't working, doesn't mean he understands that.

 

[kilrspd]

Does your wts light come on? for how long? Do you hear the glowplug contactor clicking on, or off? (when the wts light goes off)

with the wonderful reliability of the 6.9 Glowplug controller, betcha it's shot.

Also, what does this white smoke smell like? Does it smell sweet like coolant?

i dont have any light on except the gauge lights and the turn signals. if the ket is turned and the hood is up witrh me infron i can hear a ticking from a solenoid on the fender.
ive been trying to find a wire diagram w/fuse box in it but all i can find is the gas versions no diesel. any help so i know what fuse covers that unless its not a fuse issue and is the bulbs them selves.
to answer someone who replied to this thread i have a 86 ford f250 supercab 4x4 with a banks sidewinder turbo on a 6.9l and a 4 speed manual and thats all i know about it.

 

[kilrspd]

oh the engine temp light comes on while turning the key to start position.

 

[kilrspd]

one more thing i dont really know but i think i really have a 87 cuz the door tag says 8/86 and i thought if its past june its the next model year.

 

[lindstromjd]

one more thing i dont really know but i think i really have a 87 cuz the door tag says 8/86 and i thought if its past june its the next model year.

Depends on what the body looks like. 1987 is the start of a different body style nicknamed "brick nose" with a very sharp slant at the front of the hood, and the interior is very different than an 86.

With the hood open, turn your key on and then take a test light and jump the two big terminals on the relay that you hear clicking. If it lights up every time the relay clicks, and stays lit up, then we have bigger problems to diagnose. But if it only lights up for 1-2 seconds, then you have some bad glow plugs that need replaced.

 

[kilrspd]

its the 86 front nose. i also went out and check with a test light and to two big wires/connectors always has power (light stays on) the small connectors have no power ever(no light) and the clicking is the(i think) fuel related it has hoses coming from or to both sizes. sxo does this mean my rely is dead? it looks new still shinny so is there a fuse for that i need to find and r/r?

 

[lindstromjd]

its the 86 front nose. i also went out and check with a test light and to two big wires/connectors always has power (light stays on) the small connectors have no power ever(no light) and the clicking is the(i think) fuel related it has hoses coming from or to both sizes. sxo does this mean my rely is dead? it looks new still shinny so is there a fuse for that i need to find and r/r?

That, to me, sounds like a dead relay. It's supposed to be an open circuit (no power through it) until you turn the key on and the glow plug controller tells it to power up. Relays are cheap; I would replace it first. The bad part of that though is that if it's stuck open like some of the old style controllers are known to do, all 8 of your glow plugs are going to be burnt out and your controller will need replaced too.

 

[kilrspd]

ok does anyone have any idea why i have for the most part no lights on on the dash? no brake light, no oil light (if equipped) almost no lights except flashers and gauge lights thats it. i dont really wanna pull the dash apart yet. i have a 400mi trip the day after tomorrow and need this truck to get there and then 400mi back the next day. so alot of driving. oh and i dont have squat for oil pressure i check the oil and i was like "wow!" there was like 1/4" on the dip stick. so i but in 8 quarts and its good on oil level but still no pressre. it sits on the second line on the low side. where should it sit? next thing i noticed was today i filled my front tank and everytime i turn off the ignition when i go to start it up my fuel level drops a 1/4 tank. so is it my sending unit or the fuel leaking out with no spots on the ground, im a bit bewildered