Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Solenoid

[gorf1]

I drove my truck home and it ran fine, the next morning it won't start. It cranks and has plenty of fuel but it won't start.



I think I located the Fuel Solenoid and when I pull up on the lever under the boot it seems to click into place and the truck will start.



Is there a way to electrically test the Fuel Solenoid? Could it be something as simple as a fuse?



Anybody out there have any ideas?



steve

1997 2500 SLT automatic (stock)

 

[Runaway Ron]

Dirty Battery Cables?

Gorf 1, Moparguy had this happen to him and found out that it was from dirty battery cables. It would turn over but did not have enough power left to energize the solenoid. Try this first and if you still have problems do a search under titles for 2nd gen. turbo diesels and put in the words fuel solenoid. You will find some good posts. Good luck. Ron

 

[Joe G.]

Steve,



It's probably the fuel solenoid relay. You can test the solenoid. There is a large three wire connector the is usually on top of the wiring mess behind the injection pump. Pull the connector apart and test the connector part that goes to the solenoid. Put a ground on the black wire and touch 12 volts to the white wire. If the solenoid is ok it will pull up. This is the "pull on" circuit. It only supposed to be energized for only a short while. The "hold" circuit (the small dark wire, I think it's violet or something like that) keeps the solenoid pulled during operation. If this test works, replace the relay. I think it is the one of the two on the fire wall that is closest to the engine. These relays are between the master cylinder and the engine.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

check the blue fusible link wire connector at the + terminal of the driver's side battery. It powers the start position relay. The new style HD solenoid runs $275-325 depending on your source. I have also found the original style solenoid at about $190. It seems that usually the start winding of the solenoid goes out. Look on the potted top of the solenoid for cracks in the potting compound--a sign of problems.

 

[moparguy]

And if the relay proves bad, Radio Shack has a replacement for 5. 95, I've been running one for the past few years, no problem.



RJR

 

[gorf1]

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the help with my fuel solenoid. Turns out the terminal on the small black wire connected to the positive battery post corroded to the point the wire broke off.



I put a new terminal on and I'm back on the road.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

And some people just don't get it why we like the TDR so much, this is a perfect case, think what that would have cost at a shop and he spent what 30 pennies maybe... ... TDR rocks.



Jim

 

[illflem]

My experience says that if he took the truck to the dealer it would have cost over $500! They would have unnecessarily replaced the solenoid and in the process accidentally moved the bad wire causing it to make connection again then call it fixed. The repair would have only lasted a week.