I just bought a 1994 powerstroke with 200,000 miles on it and drove it trouble free for two days. On the third day i went to start it up and it would not start. It was smoking and acted like it wanted to fire but would not start. I turned the key off and tried it again but this time it just cranked over with no smoke and no sign of firing. I checked for power going to the glow plugs and it seems to have power. Both batteries are fully charged. I heard it could be the cam sensor or the high pressure oil system but would like to know if anyone has heard of this problem and what it might be. Also in regaurds to the high pressure oil system the truck builds oil pressure very slowly but was told its just the gauge. Any ideas would be helpful before I start dumping money into it.

cam sensor is a good possibilty, also have found corrosion in the connector at the sensor will cause this.

That or possable a Glow plug relay???

hook a scanner to it and watch ICP pressure during cranking, should get atleast 400psi or the injectors cant operate. if the pressure is too low...injector sealing O-rings could be leaking high pressure oil by them or the Hi Pressure oil pump could be at fault


You did check the oil level right?

Before you start ripping things apart, check the obvious. Jump the truck. If it starts, your batts likely need replacing. (Or get them load tested.) These trucks absolutely need top CCA to light off, not so much for the glow plugs or starter, but for the fuel pump. At least that's the way I understand it.

starter and electrical system is a good place to start...but the only "fuel pump" on a power stroke is just a lift pump in the valley between the filterbase and the turbo, and all it does is pressurize the fuel rails in the head so the injectors get a charge of fuel after every injection.

sounds like wiring harness to glow plus and fuel injectors is shorting out. my 95 did this. check all 4 connectors were harness plugs into valve cover gaskets. look for burnt ends or melting. you will probably need to look at conections under valve covers also.

If you get white fog fromt he exhaust that smellslike diesel..it's your glowplug relay. 20 bucks from napa.

As has been mentioned the CPS, insufficient high pressure oil pressure, and low batteries will cause a non start but in all of these cases there will be no smoke. The CPS controls the injector timing and if not working properly the injectors wil not operate. The injectors will not operate if high pressure oil is low. The Injector Driver Module (IDM) requires at least 8.5 volts and tired batteries often drop below 8.5 under cranking. The engine cranks good but the IDM does not send signals to the injectors. If you have white smoke it is most likely the glow plug relay. From your description I think you have both glow plug relay and battery issues. Battery was high enough at initial cranking but after a bit became too low. Good luck on getting her running again. Edited by: Larry S.

had same problem, my psd would not start. replaced cps, changed valve cover gaskets checked fuel pump, batteries were both good but would wear down after short amount of cranking. Come to find out the starter was drawing to many amps and not allowing the motor to turn over fast enough to build up enough oil pressure to the injectors. I changed starter and truck fired up. Also check to see if there is enough oil and that its not low.