Archived Cranking but won't fire

[spayne]

My 03 was running great but now just turnes over and wont fire up. I noticed a small amount of fuel on one of my fuel lines and also saw where fuel had dripped onto the ground. I am receiving the fan clutch code witch was just replaced. Fuel return line or???
03 4x4 auto 248K no mods just intake.

 

[cerberusiam]

Possibly a cracked line not letting rail pressure build? Which line is showing fuel present?

 

[Tinman]

I had the flare fitting nut to the cross over tube break when I installed a set of injectors last year (I didn't realize it on install). It was spewing fuel like you won't believe but I still ran, low power, but cranked up and ran fine. It did set a code.

 

[BDaugherty]

What is rail psi during cranking? I had a fan clutch code recently and cleaning the battery terminals seems to have cured it.

 

[bighammer]

Any updates? My 03 is also having problems starting.

 

[Mekhanik_]

I have seen #4 crossover tubes crack and leak many times. Engine at times will run and shut off or may be a no start.

 

[JCressman]

I am having the same exact issue. When the outside air temp gets below 45 degrees, my truck will crank forever, but never start (it usually starts if I have the block heater plugged in, but that shouldn't be necessary and isn't always an option). My truck also cranks for 2-3 seconds every time I go to start it whether it's a 90 degree summer day, or if I've just been driving it for a hundred miles. The truck always seems to run fine once it's started. fuel pressure is always around 15 psi. Rail pressure is about 5,500 psi at idle and goes up as you step on it. My rail pressure gauge only reads about 1,500 - 2,000 psi while cranking. I have a feeling that this is the reason why it won't start, but I'm not sure how to fix it. I never see white smoke and have not noticed my oil level rise so I'd like to rule out the injectors. I never see any fuel leaking from any of the lines around the fuel rail. The only leak is a very slow drip (one drop every 5-10 seconds) from the bottom of the cp3. This only happens when it's running. I wouldn't think that small of a leak should cause it not to start. I also believe that I have that same code mentioned above about the clutch fan. Can anyone suggest a direction for me to go in? Thanks!

 

[cerberusiam]

You need 2500-300 psi cranking or the ECU won't fire the injectors. Typical trouble points will be slow cranking, rail PRV, FCA, or injectors. The rail PRV can be checked to make sure it is not blown but the FCA is a replacement item to see if anything changes. There are several tests for the injectors to see if they are worn and bypassing too much fuel.

You just have to start somewhere and make sure everyhting is good. Batteries and battery connections are the easiest to start with.

 

[JCressman]

I have replaced the rail PRV and I tried starting the truck with the FCA unplugged and neither has helped thus far. I'm pretty sure the batteries are still fine but I have not had them load tested. I know the battery connections are good.

 

[cerberusiam]

If it is spinning fast enough and you still cannot get the rail pressure over 2000 psi it is likely injectors. Does it fire up fast if you hit it with a little starting fluid?

 

[JCressman]

I've never tried starting fluid because I've heard a lot of guys say never to use it, or if you do use it that you have to be very careful about the grid heaters. What is good practice for using it without hurting anything? Also, do you think a slight drip from the cp3 would be enough to cause low pressure?

 

[cerberusiam]

Safest way is just disconnect the grid heater power supply from the passenger side battery when trying this. It is a one time thing to determine if the lack of rail pressure is the issue then you need to fix the problem.

 

[Bob4x4]

Something to keep in mind the cp3 puts out high pressure but very little volum so any small leak will hae an effect

 

[HerbW]

Fan clutch code which was just replaced!

I have known of CTD trucks that won't start if the fan clutch has a problem. Unplug the fan clutch plug under the radiator and try to start your truck while it's unplugged. I'm not sure about 03 trucks but my 2007 5.9 is that way. The wiring shares a common circuit and one part can take down others! My AC wiring grounded out and gave me all kinds of headaches. Same circuit. Sure worth a try. Are all your trouble codes clear? If nothing else unhook the batteries and make sure to clear any fault codes that may be there. I believe Cerberusiam on here told an excellent way to do this procedure recently.
Let us know if that helped. Herb