5.9 wont start

[HillBilly_12v]

So, I have a new to me 94 12 valve, with only 148k miles, that my father in law gave me. I have never worked on a diesel, and I don't know where to go after bleeding the fuel lines.

In a gasser I would check to make sure I'm getting spark, but that won't help me here.

What should I check next?

 

[16 Bighorn 4x4]

How long are you cranking it over?

Sometimes it will take 2 or more sessions of long cranking times to get it to start running and smooth out once the fuel pressure is built back up from the pump to the injectors.

Sometimes a little shot of ether will allow it to run long enough so that it will build up fuel pressure and run on its own.

 

[HillBilly_12v]

I was afraid it would over rev if I used ether.
I've let it crank for over 30sec multiple times, so much so that I've had to recharge the batteries a couple of times. I just found 2 wires with bad connections on the battery last night. I'm going to replace them today, and try again.

 

[HillBilly_12v]

Update: I replaced the 2 wires, that had broken ⅜ bolt-hole crimp connectors, that routed to the positive connection on the battery. After I waited for the "wait to start" light to go out, it fired right up without even making a full revolution.

Now I want to know what the wires were, any clues? One blue, and one a dirty burnt orange color...

 

[16 Bighorn 4x4]

Try to trace where those wires go and terminate at.

It's hard to know if someone has changed some of the wiring from what it came with from the factory.