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7.3 help


jingles1928

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Went out to start it the other morning. It would crank but not start. As long as the starter was engaged it would run. Checked fuel system and everything OK. glow plugs are working. tried electrical system and as far as I can get under the hood. Could it be the switch or something under the dash?  I can't get under the dash because of back problems. I'll have to send it out somewhere if I cant get to it. Thought I would check with you guys before I hauled it to the shop. Thanx.

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Does a 90 have a cam position sensor? It is a common failure on 94 and later turbo 7.3s. It will cause a crank and no start situation. I carry one in my glove box, just in case. 2 10mm bolts and the wiring harness plug. Takes just a minute to change. Front of motor toward the passenger side, if I remember correcly. Accesses from the front. I go up between the radiator and the motor. I don't know if NA 7.3s were the same, but on the later ones, this will cause what you are describing. 

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Is this in a Ford Truck? Am I understanding you to say that the engine will run until you let off of the key? It sounds like a problem with the steering column if that is correct. There is some linkage that the key switch moves on top of the steering column that can cause very strange issues when it is starting to fail. I’ve had several replacement columns on my 1991 F-250 IDI. No cam sensor in 1990. 

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dirt floor poor had the right answer. the actuarater rod is not catching the ignition switch properly. now to find somebody to crawl under the dash and adjust the rod or the ignition switch. also need to find parts . thanx for the replies.

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8 hours ago, jingles1928 said:

dirt floor poor had the right answer. the actuarater rod is not catching the ignition switch properly. now to find somebody to crawl under the dash and adjust the rod or the ignition switch. also need to find parts . thanx for the replies.

The easiest thing to do used to be just get a different column, but good parts are not as plentiful as they once were. The last one I got came from eBay. It’s been a while since I had one apart, but there is a rack that the ignition switch moves that is usually the culprit, or that is my memory of it anyway. Glad you at least know what the problem is now. 

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