Repair 7

How to Troubleshoot a 1999 F250 Ford Diesel Truck That is Hard to Start

The 1999 Ford F-250 is a diesel truck that many people use to haul heavy items with good fuel economy. If your F-250 is having a hard time starting, there are a few things that you can do before you get it towed to a repair shop. You dont have to be a car mechanic to get your diesel working again. You can do it yourself with little hassle and minimal knowledge of truck repair.

Instructions

1

Insert your key into the F-250s ignition and then try to start the truck. Check the electrical panel on the dashboard. Look at the battery meter and the gas gauge on the dashboard. If your truck does not have enough gas to start, fill the tank with diesel.

2

Use the applicable fuel for the truck. If you are using winter diesel in the summer, you will need to change the fuel. Summer diesel should not be used in the winter. Use a siphon to pump the gas out of the trucks gas tank.

3

Insert one end of the hose into the gas tank. Insert the other end into an empty container. Pump the siphon hose to siphon the gas out of the tank and into the container. Fill the gas tank with the applicable diesel.

4

Check the battery connections to the battery if your gauge indicated that there was a low charge. Open the hood and locate the battery next to the engine. Make sure that the battery connections are properly connected to the terminals. The red cable should be on the positive (+) terminal and the black cable should be on the negative terminal (-). Use a pair of channel locks to secure the connections.

5

Place the terminal leads of the voltmeter to your batterys connections. The diesel truck uses a 12-volt battery. You should get an 11 to 12 volt reading on the voltmeters display. If you dont get an 11 to 12 volt reading from the voltmeter, replace the battery.

6

Jack the front end of the truck up with a jack and then locate the small black box on the bottom of the engine. This is the starter. Have a friend turn the ignition and listen to the starter. If you hear buzzing or clicking coming from the starter, you need to have it replaced by a certified technician.