1992 P30 Chassis Van cranks but will not start

[JerryOwen]

I have a an old chassis van that I am converting into a vending truck. The other day, I went to start it. It cranked and tried to start then died and there has been no signs of life. The engine still cranks fine. I did notice that when I turned the key, I heard a bunch of clicking like relay chatter but it is not even doing that now. Any ideas?

Thanks

[trbankii]

From your description, my first question is that you don’t mention glow plugs - is the light coming on? No? Have you confirmed glow plug operation? The glow plug relay could have been what you were hearing - and now are not.

Second thing would be the lift pump. Again, that could have been the clicking you heard - and now do not.

[JerryOwen]

There is no sign of electrical activity on the dash board. (Incidentally, this is a Grumman conversion van) Before the incident, I could hear the glow plugs relay come on and maybe cycle off and on once before cranking. I would guess that there is an old power relay that has finally failed, but I don't know this to be fact or even where to locate it, if it is.

[trbankii]

No familiarity with the 6.5 engines in Grumman vans, but the glow plug relay typically sits on the firewall just above center of the engine in the GM versions. Looks like this and has big cables connected to the two studs.

[Dvldog8793]

Howdy
Do any of the other electrical items in the truck work? Lights, dash, radio ect...

[JerryOwen]

There are absolutely no signs of life when I turn the ignition key. The last time the truck started, there was a lot of relay chatter under the dash. The glow plug light came on and went off like normal.

Batteries are new, 1000cca and fully charged.
Don't see any blown fuses.

Could this be the switch on the end of the arm coming from the ignition? (Bad contacts>>inconsistent power to relays causing chatter and ultimately complete failure)

[1988 P-30]

I too have been having this trouble. Have you tried disconnecting both batteries and reconnecting them? I experienced the same thing when I changed my fuel filter and housing from the block style to a spin on filter. I cannot seem to get her to start up. Did you figure out what solved your problem?