Changed battery, won't start.

[steveoevets]

I dropped a red top in my L300 a couple of days ago. Now she will turn over like mad but won't start. I just drove her back from Calgary the day before and she ran awesome but I think the cold temps at the airport where she was parked for a few days did the battery in. So now I have the red top and electrics seem good.

I get 2 clicks as per normal so I assume that the I have 12 volts to the glow plugs? I hear a lot of talk about pumping the filter but I can't locate this. Can someone post a pic as to where the primer is? Also wondering how to check voltage to the fuel pump?

It's been pretty cold but all this happened after I replaced the battery.

Apologies if there's already a post for this.

Thanks

Steve
Invermere, BC

[White Mule]

If the fuel tank was not full at the time of the deep freeze, then its possible that condinsation has made it to the fuel filter. Drain the filter for a second or two and tighten. Check that fuel is flowing.

There are many possible reasons for a failed start. I am throwing out the easy one first.

[steveoevets]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Well I was able to drive the vehicle 3 hours back to Invermere with no issue the day before. Once home the van remained plugged in till the next day when I went to start it and the battery barely turned over the engine hence the new batt. It sat over night with a 3/4 full tank. Makes me think that something happened when I swapped batteries.

I am leaning towards a fuel problem which is why I wanted to pump the filter which I read people do during cold starts. I'm just not sure where the primer is.

[jessef]

Ontop of the fuel filter. Looks like a round mushroom style hand pump on top. 10mm bleed valve (bolt) on the side

If you can have your alternator checked to see if it's charging

[thedjjack]

since you changed the battery....check the connections and wires coming off the terminals....check you have power going to the injector pump to allow the fuel to turn on (I would giggle the wires there first (see if it helps), but also check with a meter and make sure no bad connections, bad fuse-able links or connections).

[steveoevets]

Sweet. Thanks all.

I am going to try priming it later. It's a
Warmer day today as well so hoping that bodes well.

Cheers!!

[steveoevets]

Just wanted to thank everyone for the quick replies. I know this wasn't a major issue but it sucks when you're van's sick. The weather was certainly warmer when I primed her but needless to say she fired up hard and fast.

If anyone is thinking of a new batt for their vehicle I think the Optima batteries are well worth the dollars.

[steveoevets]

Turns out the fuel filter had some air in it. Followed the bleeding instructions from Butch at CVI and now she starts like a dream even in the cold.

Thanks all.