no start

[CHKNFKR]

This isn't urgent or anything, that's why i didn't post it there.

My full size won't crank. I can hear the solenoid kicking and a light squeal when i turn the key, almost like a belt squeal, but once again i get no crank. also, batts are normal. any thoughts? particularly on the squeal?

I don't think its relevant but if i don't do it now the first person to post will ask. its a '95 f-250 with a 7.3psd

 

[martin]

The last time I saw something like this it was caused by a seized alternator. If you loosen off the accessory belt and check that all of the pulleys turn, that would be an easy place to start.

 

[adsm08]

I'd bench test the starter. It may have gone kaputski. Pull it out, hook some jumper cables to it off your battery, and see if she'll kick over.

Martin's idea is good too, but I just can't see a stuck pulley stopping a 7.3L. I've seen 7.3's going with siezed vac pumps.

 

[CHKNFKR]

thanks for the help guys! not looking forward to having to pull the starter, there's 3-4" of snow under the truck.....

 

[gwaii]

check the battery terminals and the connections at the solonoid and starter.i've seen this sort of thing when there's enough juice getting through to get the electrics going,but not quite enough to crank the starter,so the current going through the starter causes it to squeel.see if any connections are getting hot when trying to crank....grounds need to be checked too.

 

[Earl43P]

Rap it with a screwdriver handle for grins.

 

[feellnfroggy]

The light squeal you hear could be a fan motor inside the cab? Check teh 4 components battery, relay, solenoid, starter.

 

[CHKNFKR]

all connections are tight, no wires getting hot but i did confirm the starter is whats squealing.

 

[CHKNFKR]

also squeals when starter is hot wired

 

[adsm08]

Can you crank that bad boy over by hand?

I know out in Montana there are big problems with cats. They crawl up in the diesels in the winter because it's warm, then when you go to fire it up....

and sometimes the engine doesn't want to crank.

 

[CHKNFKR]

gonna get someone to pull start me so i can take it somewhere to work on it on a dry floor and hopefully with a heater

 

[CHKNFKR]

can crank it by hand. never had to do that on a diesel before and wow can you feel the difference in compression

 

[adsm08]

can crank it by hand. never had to do that on a diesel before and wow can you feel the difference in compression

Yeah you can.

At least now you know it's not locked.

 

[mht95ranger]

CHECK YOUR GROUNDS!! If you have any of the DIY battery terminals pull them apart and wire wheel them and then scrape the wire with a razor blade to remove any crud on the cables. Also check chassis ground connections.
Just my .02 worth

 

[danielwd]

CHECK YOUR GROUNDS!! If you have any of the DIY battery terminals pull them apart and wire wheel them and then scrape the wire with a razor blade to remove any crud on the cables. Also check chassis ground connections.
Just my .02 worth

If it was a ground, wouldn't there be a "click" rather than a squeal? I left the ground off the thermostat housing before on accident and it "clicked" when I tried to start it - I think it was actually the relay that clicked though.