My (recently purchased) 1989 F250 Diesel frequently "buzzes" when I try
to start it. Sometimes it just turns over and fires up as normal, but
at other times it makes this loud buzzing noise over and over again
without starting up.
If I keep turning the key, it seems, sooner or later it will stop the
noise and start the engine. But it seems to be a random thing. Could
be the third try - or the hundredth.
Does the starter/solenoid need to be changed out? Where is that
located in the engine compartment? How tough is it to do-it-yourself?
Joe S. - 13 Jan 2006 19:53 GMT
> My (recently purchased) 1989 F250 Diesel frequently "buzzes" when I try
> to start it. Sometimes it just turns over and fires up as normal, but
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Does the starter/solenoid need to be changed out? Where is that
> located in the engine compartment? How tough is it to do-it-yourself?
Is the buzzing temperature related? The engine may be trying to tell you
that it has not warmed up yet.
Most diesel engines have some kind of pre-heating for the cylinders to bring
them up to temperature where the diesel fuel will ignite. If the outside
temperature is cold, the cylinders need to pre-heat for a minute or so,
depending on how cold it is. If it's warm outside, the pre-heating can be
almost instantaneous.
It's possible that the buzzer is telling you that pre-heating is still going
on and don't try to start the engine until the buzzing has stopped.
Just a thought, not necessarily the solution.
Hairy - 13 Jan 2006 23:07 GMT
> My (recently purchased) 1989 F250 Diesel frequently "buzzes" when I try
> to start it. Sometimes it just turns over and fires up as normal, but
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> noise and start the engine. But it seems to be a random thing. Could
> be the third try - or the hundredth.
Clean your battery connections.
Dave