NO start HELP!!!

[Hornetfixer]

I hopped in the truck last night to run to the store and it started right up and ran like $%^&!! Sounded as if were not running on all cylinders. I shut it off right away and now it won't start, just spins up but won't fire up. I changed the CPS, checked all of the fuses, looked the filter bowl, it has a good flow of fuel dumping into it, and I can hear the fuel pump working. i have 1/2 a tank in it and drove it Friday night, Saturday and Sun. afternoon, it ran great as always. It doesn't have a programmer and isn't chipped either. Any idea's???

[mattymx]

Sounds like the symptoms of a bad under valve cover harness. That same thing happened to my dad a few months ago.

[hotstik]

Sounds like the symptoms of a bad under valve cover harness. That same thing happened to my dad a few months ago.

Agreed...The UVC harness and/or the valve cover gasket UVC plug may have experienced an issue, shorted, and melted. At least these are easy to check on and replace.

UVC wiring plug etc. is located on the top inboard side of the valve cover gasket. With the truck off, unplug the UVC plug on each VC gasket and look for any melting. If you don't see anything, then go ahead and pull the valve covers and check the wiring and make sure everything is still plugged in. You can also pull the oil cap and smell for melted plastic or burnt electrical.

If it's not UVC wiring, there is always the chance that your IDM died. However, this rare.

Also, if you know anyone with a good code reader, check for DTC's. They should be set with an issue like this even though they won't light the SES light.

[Hornetfixer]

how do I know if the harness' are bad?

[hotstik]

how do I know if the harness' are bad?

They will either be partially unplugged, totally unplugged, or melted.

Two connections are made to the valve cover gasket. One on the outside of the valve cover and one on the inside. There is also a plug for each injector on its solenoid.

If they are unplugged, then plug them back in. If things are melted, it's time to start replacing stuff.

[Eagle0ne]

very good hotstik, hornet please let me know what it is or was, my truck occasionally stalls but keeps running before I need to restart it.......I have been dropping the Deisel out thinking it's water in the fuel....sorry I don't want to steel your thread ;) any advise on that

[hotstik]

...my truck occasionally stalls but keeps running before I need to restart it.......I have been dropping the Deisel out thinking it's water in the fuel....sorry I don't want to steel your thread ;) any advise on that

That's almost certainly the cam position sensor letting you know it's about to die.

Since the new CPS's are only $25 or less, try swapping in a new one.

[Eagle0ne]

Hotstik I hope your right....:lol: as I just bought one last week through Ford, recommended from this site....It arrived on Sat and I think I will check out where it goes then stick it in the glove box for when it does go I'm hauling the trailer and wife and kids up to Lake Isabella this weekend for mem day, so i'll have it with me, what do you think shall I let it go out... then do the change, my mech and ford could not diagnose the problem ....

did'nt you just get a new trailer Hotty, wanna go to the lake or anybody..were meeting others there, I wouls like to buy a rubber dingy a good one with a outboard.

[Eagle0ne]

Sorry that was hoss350 with the new trailer, but I must say your doing a nice job of your truck can you do mine, I read the episode's of when you first got your injectors what a nightmare, your truck would pull my trailer nice.

[hotstik]

I'm hauling the trailer and wife and kids up to Lake Isabella this weekend for mem day, so i'll have it with me, what do you think shall I let it go out... then do the change, my mech and ford could not diagnose the problem ....

You absolutely do not want your CPS to go out while you're pulling a trailer. If the engine dies on you, you will have no power brakes and no power steering.

If it is the CPS, then it is indicating imminent death. It's an easy fix on a cold engine. On a hot engine while you're laying on the side of the road would be pretty miserable.

The CPS is held in with a single bolt, and is located on the passenger side of the front cover (just above and off to the side of the harmonic balancer). All you need is a 10mm socket, a 1/4" drive ratchet and an extension. Unplug it, unbolt it, and pull it out, then reverse the process to install the new one. Even if it's not a CPS issue, you will have a brand new one that will be good to go for at least another 50K miles.

[hotstik]

... I must say your doing a nice job of your truck can you do mine, I read the episode's of when you first got your injectors what a nightmare, your truck would pull my trailer nice.

Thanks!

[Eagle0ne]

yeah that sounds like good advice cold engine in the driveway, I just like to test things out but not this time.....

[Hornetfixer]

Okay, I just cme in the house (took a dinner break earlier), I took the velve covers off and the harness on both sides are good. Everything was plugged in, not melted and I ohmed all the wires out and no short anywhere. I put it all back together and now mt batts are drained a bit. Can it be a charging system problem or maybe water in my fuel? Man this has me stuck. Where is the IDM located? I'm at a loss. I put a new CPS in and nothng ($21.00 at the dealership), I can say though my top half of the motor is real clean for 150,000 miles though, maybe this synthetic stuff does really work.

[mattymx]

The IDM is on the drivers side between the inner and outer fender.

[hotstik]

Before pulling the IDM (they're expensive!) or doing anything else that drastic, I would check for codes.

Also, a bad battery or a dead alternator have been known to cause random issues. Low voltage will keep the injectors from firing properly. What's the voltage on your batteries?

Do you know anyone with a good code reader (like Autoenginuity)?