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2003 KW T600 with Cat won't start 0 degrees

Discussion in 'Kenworth Forum' started by tallmon, Jan 8, 2015.

  1. Jan 8, 2015 #1
    tallmon

    tallmon Medium Load Member

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    Oct 22, 2014
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    I'm new with this truck and trucking... help would be appreciated.

    2003 KW T600 with Cat engine. 0F degrees out this morning. It start's up and runs for about 3 minutes and then stops. I tried a couple of times to get it going again but it would just turn over. I didn't have time to mess with it anymore so I took another truck to get going.

    Tonight, I get back and try again. It's about 17F tonight. I try maybe 3 times for a few seconds each time it turns over strong but not start. 4th time it won't even turn over, just click.

    The block heater has been plugged in the entire time. Voltage reads on the dash reads 12-13 or so.

    a) Would changing out fuel filter or water separator get it going? Or put in 911 into the FF?
    b) Are the batteries now dead or did try to start it too many times and some fail safe kicked in?


    Yeah, I sound like a dope but I'm trying to learn and fix it myself before have to spend the dough on roadside.

    thanks.
     
    tallmon, Jan 8, 2015
    tallmon, Jan 8, 2015
    #1
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  3. Jan 8, 2015 #2
    socal

    socal Medium Load Member

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    all the things you suggested and get it warmed up. If it is not puffing smoke when trying to start it is not getting fuel. Something's frozen
     
    socal, Jan 8, 2015
    socal, Jan 8, 2015
    #2
  4. Jan 8, 2015 #3
    jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    south english iowa
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    change the fuel filter or filters,add some 911 anti gel into the filter,pour the rest into the tank, while you are doing this charge the batteries. you either run the battery down or got the starter to hot, my guess would be low batteries. when you get it started fuel with some blended fuel and put some ant-gel in the tank. that should get you going, if all that fails get a bullet heater but be careful you dont get the plastic bumpers to hot. lots of luck just keep using the anti-gel in really cold weather
     
    jbourque, Jan 8, 2015
    jbourque, Jan 8, 2015
    #3
  5. Jan 9, 2015 #4
    kw600

    kw600 Road Train Member

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    How do you warm up the starter? And what does this do?
     
    kw600, Jan 9, 2015
    kw600, Jan 9, 2015
    #4
  7. Jan 9, 2015 #5
    rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    TN
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    You don't need to warm the starter up. What he was saying is when you crank on it for too long with the engine not firing up it gets too hot. My block heater quit working last year. Mine will fire when it is that cold but when you turn the key over it is almost like you better not stop before it starts or it won't have enough juice to start again. My batteries are about 4 years old though.
     
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2015
    rollin coal, Jan 9, 2015
    #5
  8. Jan 9, 2015 #6
    kw600

    kw600 Road Train Member

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    Ironically I've been having the same issue with the same type of truck. I changed the batteries and put in a brand new starter. The first few times it turned over and would fire right up and no issues. Than I guess I broke in the starter and it didn't turn over - it would just fire up. However a few days ago it would not turn over nor turn on. It just clicks a few times and a big thud when I turn the key. Any thoughts on the issue?
     
    kw600, Jan 9, 2015
    kw600, Jan 9, 2015
    #6
  9. Jan 9, 2015 #7
    tallmon

    tallmon Medium Load Member

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    Oct 22, 2014
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    My guess would be the batteries aren't charging or are shorted out. We have a KW that got new batteries and a month later all four shorted out. We discovered that the alternator had a loose wire and was overcharging them. I don't remember exactly the story but something about the alternator having an extra wire or regulator wire that was corroded. Anyway, check your alternator voltage and amperage. Ours was cranking out 18V and overcharging the batteries. Good guy service center replaced the corroded wire and all four batteries saving me a bundle. :yes2557:
     
    tallmon, Jan 9, 2015
    tallmon, Jan 9, 2015
    #7
  10. Jan 10, 2015 #8
    kw600

    kw600 Road Train Member

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    Is this a wise move? Instead of paying someone to come and jump it for me I was thinking of buying one of those portable jumpers if they have them at Walmart. I'm going in for an overhaul on Monday and I can't get it to start-up course. And I'm trying to avoid a tow bill for 90 miles to the facility. Hoping that I can jump it.
     
    kw600, Jan 10, 2015
    kw600, Jan 10, 2015
    #8
  11. Jan 10, 2015 #9
    QUALITYTRUCK

    QUALITYTRUCK Road Train Member

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    romulus,mi
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    if you are going in for overhaul,this changes things.make sure engine isn't "hydro locked"which means there is coolant sitting on top of a piston.this will not allow engine to turn over,let alone start up.could also explain why it ran for a few and shut down.low on coolant.check your coolant level.good luck.
     
    QUALITYTRUCK, Jan 10, 2015
    QUALITYTRUCK, Jan 10, 2015
    #9
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