Archived 2001 3500 cranks but doesn't start??????????

[diesel DOG]

truck has 179,000 on it. Second lift pump in truck dealer put one in tank at about 50,000 under warranty. 10 days ago I had cranked it and it didn't start right away so I left it for 5 minutes then it started right up. 3 days ago it did the same thing so I gave it a tad of ether / starting fluid and it started. I reved it up and fuel pressure looked ok it was 10 or 11 and when reved up it didn't drop much. Yesterday it did the same thing and I gave it a bit of starting fluid with no luck. I didn't want to put much in so I stopped till I can check somethings. Going to start with fuel filter but I don't think it is that because when started it ran fine at 2,000 for a while.

Any ideas on what else to check before I have to tow it to take it somewhere? Can I spray some diesel fuel in the air cleaner inlet to the turbo to get it going? Original owner and never had this before it has always started great hot or cold. When I got it going the other day and shut it off it started right back up with no problem. Any kind of check valve on the fuel system that keeps it from draining back the fuel? I had a 88 ford diesel that had that or they put one in it I forgot.

thanks for your help.

 

[cerberusiam]

Sounds like it is time for a new VP-44. Son had almost exact same problems and the IP crapped out on him making a parts run. Check codes and see of you have any, look for a 1693 or 0260 or 0216. You may have no codes and still no start but if fuel pressure is good to the IP chances are its the pump.

 

[diesel DOG]

had a new vp44 put in at 120 or so not really sure of exact mileage. Thanks! Can I read the codes on the dash somewhere or am I thinking of another vehicle?

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, key-on key-off sequence should give you any stored codes. There is an over flow vlave on the IP that can cause a hard start, maybe a no start but it should take off with starting fluid. The symptoms indicate an IP problem but with out checking the obvious like the overflow and codes it is a guess.

 

[diesel DOG]

what is the key off sequence?

 

[cerberusiam]

With the key off: on-off-on-off-on in 5 seconds.

 

[diesel DOG]

best I can read them PPUC PE Pdone PECU thanks for any tips batteries are dead to cranking but I didn't hear any lift pump running. Will charge batteries in morning.

 

[diesel DOG]

I see Pdone means end and I have no 216 code for a V-44pump thank goodness, I hope! Guessing lift pump now as I can't hear it run. Time for tow truck!

 

[cerberusiam]

Yeah, if you aren't getting fuel it won't run. Whether it is the LP or the ECU is the next question.

 

[JR]

I would charge the batts over night, then bump the starter and listen for the lift pump. It will not run simply by turning the key on. If the lift pump runs, let it run until it quits then bump the starter a few more times and let the lift pump run until it stops. Maybe even leave something loose at the filter to help bleed the air out and fill the canister with fuel. Then tighten back up. You should see some kind of fuel pressure at this point while the lift pump is running. Crack an injector line or two at the head and crank it. 30 seconds at a time, then let the starter cool for a minute or two. You should get fuel to the injectors after one or 2 cycles of cranking, tighten the lines and restart. If you got the truck to run and it ran fine with no issues before, I'm guessing you have a small leak somewhere and it's siphoning the fuel back into the tank when it sits for a while. Without cracking the injector lines it will be difficult to start.
If that works and you get the truck running, then we most likely know you have air being introduced into the system and can go from there.

 

[diesel DOG]

I'll give it a shot. I crack the injectors with my rough terrain forklifts and bleed them out although no expert. thanks Playing with it last night seems LP not making any noise or running.

 

[JR]

OK, if the lift pump does not run with bumping the key, then there is no sense in trying to bleed the lines. Make sure your batteries are fully charged before you condemn anything, low voltage will really mess with the electrical system. I'm assuming you checked the fuse in the pdc box?

 

[diesel DOG]

Running again! Bleed fuel filter with lever and no fuel. Then bumped the key a few times and I had more fuel in filter and almost started. Now I bumped starter again about 6-7 times and it started. Still not really hearing pump with all the bonging going on with key being in. I guess I have an air leak / fuel leak somewhere. Best way to track that down is? thanks

 

[diesel DOG]

held it at 2500 rpm neutral and fuel pressure was steady at 8 lb.

 

[diesel DOG]

guess I am running for now I appreciate all the help. Not fixed yet but I guess I will continue it here https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?243399-2001-3500-cranks-but-doesn-t-start and not 911 thanks.