Cummins 8.3 won't start in the cold

[Josh]

It's about 28 degrees F here and I went out to start the Champion to take it to storage. It hasn't run in about 2 weeks and I have had some trouble with the batteries draining while it sits even though plugged into shore power. It did crank a bit but wouldn't start so I hooked up the battery charger. A couple hours later I tried again and it wouldn't start. It dawned on me that the fuel shutoff solenoid is really old and has been acting weak this past year. I have a new one but haven't installed it yet. Sure enough when I turned the ignition on and went back to look the valve was closed so I pushed up on it and it stayed open. Went back in and cranked her over but still no start, need to wait for batteries to charge up more.

[Josh]

Update: Charged chassis batteries for about 24 hours at 2 amps and she cranked like crazy and started up. Did take quite a bit more cranking than the warm weather starts and I did have to go push the fuel solenoid up again after turning on ignition to turn on fuel. New fuel shutoff solenoid will be installed first thing when out of winter storage.



Linkage comes out of the bottom of the solenoid thru that black rubber boot. When it's all the way down the fuel to the engine is off, when ignition key is turned on it should energize and pull the linkage up to open the fuel valve. These get weak and sticky when they get older, sometimes the problem is that you can't get the engine to shut off. The older Cummins diesels like this (circa 1992) (and maybe new ones but I'm not schooled in those) can only be shut off by this mechanical fuel valve. If the solenoid sticks with the fuel valve in the open position, well, the engine will run until you are out of fuel unless you pull down on the linkage and get the valve to close manually.

If your diesel engine cranks but won't start this is one of the first things to check. Valve linkages may need some lubrication or solenoid may be weak or has failed completely. If you are stranded you can push up on linkage to turn on fuel & use wire or zip ties to hold it up. To shut off engine you will have to remove wire or zip tie & possibly manually pull down on linkage to shut off fuel.

[Grey Ghost]

Good info! Probably should get a spare for mine!