Archived 2004.5 cranks won't start

[BCoffman]

Friends,

I have a problem with my truck (2004 325hp, lift pump on filter). I just took it out of long-term storage (4 years) and had all (I mean all) fluids changed, fuel drained, 2 new Interstate MEGA TRON PLUS batts, complete once over for leaks and dry rot, nothing found (was stored in dry garage on stands not started for duration). Mechanic said all fluids looked great, fuel was amazingly clear for age, but drained and replaced anyways. The truck has an (I think) dealer installed 'Code Sys Inc" alarm.

Now the story: After pickup from mechanic, truck was taken to gas station and filled up and driven 30+ miles home and put in garage to avoid hail storm. The next day the truck cranked, but would not start. The truck cranks fast and easy, the lift pump is filling filter canister fast. The alarm was suspected as it only flashes 2 blinks red pauses and flashes 2 more time. After talking to the alarm manufacturer; they informed me that was valet mode and the alarm only disables the starter portion of truck and not ECM so "if it cranks it isn't the alarm," is this true?

After web searches, etc., I came to the conclusion that it is getting fuel on the low pressure side (not lift pump) and not starter, ignition. I had the truck towed to Red Oak Diesel clinic (well known Bosch, diesel fuel specialist). The folks there notified me today that the High pressure/low pressure fuel system is operating as advertised and he suspects a possible ECM issue. What I love is he will sleep on it over the weekend and research some more before he calls in parts. Symptoms: Truck cranks, low side fills fuel canister, guages light up, but don't move including fuel guage, cycling sound from solenoid or something near CP3 pump (FCA???). The mechanic said he gets no response from ECM when hooked up to machine. Any ideas??? Thanks for any help on this...Glad I'm back in the USA....

Brian

 

[cerberusiam]

If a scanner is not connecting to the ECM that is a problem. Until that happens it is impossible to tell what is really going on. If that takes an ECU then it does. That said there are a couple things that will shut the ECU down and cause it to do that. Shorted wires in a couple accessories have been known to cause the symptoms of a dead ECM. Specifically, the ac wire rubbing and contacting on a metal part and the fan clutch will do weird things to the system. The OBD ports are really cheap and it has happened that the pins contact each other and shut the bus and everything else down.

Couple of the more common things that can go wrong.

 

[BCoffman]

Thanks for the words...Also, truck will fire on starting fluid but won't run once stop spraying. I will check the wires around sensors and the AC as suggested. Thanks again.

 

[p-Bar]

Remember a diesel only needs a fuel source to run no other external components

 

[BCoffman]

Does anybody know if I remove the ECM can it be bench tested or sent to someone to trouble shoot (like a ignition module on GM HEI)? I don't know anybody w/ same truck to do a swap test.

Thanks
Rooster

 

[cerberusiam]

Remember a diesel only needs a fuel source to run no other external components

Yes an no. A diesel engine only needs fuel and air to run, but, a 5.9 CR or 24V needs the electronics to function correctly or there is no fuel delivered to the cylinder and no good way to get it there.


I do not know of anybody that tests them. Some of the ECM repair places may but it is a good bet it will be bad if you send it to them. Basically, if simple OBD scanner cannot connect then an expensive one won't either and that almost always points to an ECM problem.

 

[BCoffman]

Thanks friend. I will talk to the guys working on it tomorrow and verify they can't communicate through OBD. Guess I'll be getting a new ECM :-( At this point I'll just want my rig back...I will drop this thread once running...more help is welcome....

Brian

 

[p-Bar]

Yes an no. A diesel engine only needs fuel and air to run, but, a 5.9 CR or 24V needs the electronics to function correctly or there is no fuel delivered to the cylinder and no good way to get it there.


I was making the point that he said it would run when starting fluid was sprayed in the intake.

 

[cerberusiam]

I was making the point that he said it would run when starting fluid was sprayed in the intake.

Gotchya. I misunderstood the intent of the statement.

 

[BCoffman]

Great news truck is running! Replaced ECM and she started...Thanks for all the help guys. How does this get moved to archive?

Rooster