'01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

At times when I go to start my F350, I click the ignition to heat the glow plugs and all I hear is a fast clicking sound some where in the dash, then it will crank but not start ? It's only happened a few times but I spoke with someone else about this and they said they had the same problem and never could figure it out either. It's like it's not getting fire. Anyone else had this problem? Dave

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

Sounds like the cam position sensor is being nice and is giving you a warning. Mine did that once and I thought nothing of it and a few days later it died while on the interstate. It would crank but would not start. It seems that when it is working properly the tack will move when the key is turned on but when the CPS is bad and the keys turned on the tach will not move.

Just a thought. Hope this helps.

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

It's done this for a number of years and it seems if I shut the key to off position, wait a few seconds, and try again, it fires right up. I'll check on the CPS. Thanks, Dave

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

you probably have a bad glow plug relay. look at the relay mounted on the intake & inspect the terminals for discoloration. by the way the camshaft position sensor has nothing to do with your problem. the glowplugs are heated through the relay based on engine oil temp. camshaft pos. sensors do fail but almost always cause the engine to kill
while driving. 99% of the time if you let the engine cool down it will start again & run for a short while.

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

Wardley,

2001 F350 DRW 4x4 CC 7.3. From your description it seems like I had the same problem, and for a few years too. It drove the dealer crazy. I had the truck towed there when it finally died for what seemed like for good and it started on the wrecker when it got to Ford, go figure. They started it 10 – 15 times a day for a week and a half and thought I was nuts till one morning it did it to them. Turned out to be what the dealer called a “Start fuel sensor”. When they replaced that it never happened again.

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

Did they throw in a new starter too
:D

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

No new starter. But they did eat a set of polished rear rims and a rear end. You just wouldn't believe what I went through with Beach Ford in North Miami.

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

I quit dealing with Beach when they were friendly...

Atlantic has done us pretty right, I continue to use them when needed... Palmetto is our second choice.

Re: '01 Ford 7.3 Diesel Question
 

OH, back to the original question. My 7.3 did that, it turned out to be the High Pressure Oil Pump (HPOP I think is the abbreviation) was weak in one spot... Drove us nuts for months, once replaced it hasnt done it again in 100k miles...