T444e cranks but wont start

[Antonioe1988]

Hey everyone,

I’m troubleshooting a 1995 International 3600 with a T444E that cranks but won’t start. Engine will run briefly with starter fluid. Battery is good (~12V).

What I’ve done so far:

• Fuel: Lift pump working, new filter, return line capped — no start.
• Sensors: Cam sensor replaced, ICP located and connector looks good.
• Injectors & IDM: KOEO test → all 8 buzzed. Found oily valve cover connector → cleaned. ServiceMax says “IDM toggle not detected.”
• IPR: Unplugged → still no start.
• Glow plug relay: Issue started immediately after replacement. Voltage at IDM/injector circuits ~12V.
• Grounds & power: Battery fine, IDM/ECM grounds not fully traced. Fuse box not clearly labeled

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

one there is already a thread here for the 444 crank start issue.
two QUIT USING EITHER PERIOD'
gasoline in a squirt bottle is safer for your diesel engine.
ether is like crack once its addicted you always have to use it gas is a softer drug.
be careful with the glow plugs?
but you state your issue started after glow plug replacement?
location is vauge? cold weather warm for this time of year?
why return line capped
was the system primed after filter replacement?

 

[ewo1]

I double down -QUIT USING EITHER PERIOD'
silicone spray is good too.
jolly roger asks good questions...answers are ???

Pull out IPR, do you have oil in the reservoir? Is it coming out?
If not, pour some in and crank, see if it starts.

You have servicemaxx I see, What are your desired and actual oil pressure readings? Are you getting over 600?

 

[Diverdude0075]

12v is a dead battery. You need to be around 12.6 to be fully charged. The T444E is picky with it's voltage. What's your actual fuel pressure? 55 - 60 PSI is ideal.

 

[Diverdude0075]

12v is a dead battery. You need to be around 12.6 to be fully charged. The T444E is picky with it's voltage. What's your actual fuel pressure? 55 - 60 PSI is ideal.

Oh and plus one on ether. However, if you do use it disable the GPR first. Small short squirt, crank immediately. But better not to use.

 

[Antonioe1988]

one there is already a thread here for the 444 crank start issue.
two QUIT USING EITHER PERIOD'
gasoline in a squirt bottle is safer for your diesel engine.
ether is like crack once its addicted you always have to use it gas is a softer drug.
be careful with the glow plugs?
but you state your issue started after glow plug replacement?
location is vauge? cold weather warm for this time of year?
why return line capped
was the system primed after filter replacement?

Im up un mt shasta, its a bit cold but not too much and i have a block warmer. In capped the valve to see if it might’ve been loosing pressure thru it, the engnise self promes when you turn the key

 

[nikitis]

I'm still a firm believer in ether, but I use VERY little when I do. I fixed my glow plugs and haven't needed to use ether since. It runs fine now but was probably started 100 times with Ether prior to my owning it.

 

[ewo1]

Murphy's law... waiting.......

Using ether on a T444E is dangerous due to its intake air heater and glow plug system, which can cause pre-ignition, detonation, and severe engine damage like broken rings or holed pistons. Ether ignites much faster than diesel fuel, leading to an uncontrolled explosion when the engine's own heating systems activate.

silicone spray is much gentler!

 

[nikitis]

I tried silicone spray and it wouldn't start on it for me. Just my experience. I bought and tried some at your recommendation before I replaced my glow plugs. She'd only run on ether when I was having troubles. Now she doesn't need anything.

 

[BamaBus]

I can't remember what youtube channel it was, but recently there was a video showing bent piston connecting rods due to ether use. Maybe the vid was posted here? IDK

... She'd only run on ether when I was having troubles. Now she doesn't need anything.

She's an addict in recovery. Cold weather may trigger a relapse.

 

[Mr P]

To the OP, see the repair tips topic that *needs* to be a sticky. T444E diagnostic/repair tips

Get a scanner and monitor the data found in the info in that topic.

 

[wanderingturtl]

Antonio (OP) is a buddy of mine that I've been helping from afar try to get it started. He just got his nexiq clone working today. we found no CPS signal. He did replace the CPS so I guess it's either bad connector, wire, computer or bad out of the box new CPS. Anything else it could be? Might have to trace CPS wiring.

 

[wanderingturtl]

Of note is that the no start condition began after he installed a new glow plug controller. He had removed the old GPC, started the bus and drove somewhere (with exposed wires loose). bus sat a few days, then installed the new GPC, then crank no start.

 

[ewo1]

I don't have any hands on experience on a T444e but I can share with you the CMP troubleshooting section from the EGES-125-1 manual.
Hope there is something in there that will get you going forward on your repair!

Now that he has his Nexiq clone working, what are the DTC codes???

 

[Antonioe1988]

I double down -QUIT USING EITHER PERIOD'
silicone spray is good too.
jolly roger asks good questions...answers are ???

Pull out IPR, do you have oil in the reservoir? Is it coming out?
If not, pour some in and crank, see if it starts.

You have servicemaxx I see, What are your desired and actual oil pressure readings? Are you getting over 600?

Hey everyone,

I’m troubleshooting a 1995 International 3600 with a T444E that cranks but won’t start. Engine will run briefly with starter fluid. Battery is good (~12V).

What I’ve done so far:

• Fuel: Lift pump working, new filter, return line capped — no start.
• Sensors: Cam sensor replaced, ICP located and connector looks good.
• Injectors & IDM: KOEO test → all 8 buzzed. Found oily valve cover connector → cleaned. ServiceMax says “IDM toggle not detected.”
• IPR: Unplugged → still no start.
• Glow plug relay: Issue started immediately after replacement. Voltage at IDM/injector circuits ~12V.
• Grounds & power: Battery fine, IDM/ECM grounds not fully traced. Fuse box not clearly labeled

Update, i was getting 0 rpm while cranking even with the new crankshaft sensor, intook it out and im measuring 12v in the connector

 

[Antonioe1988]

Update, i was getting 0 rpm while cranking even with the new crankshaft sensor, intook it out and im measuring 12v in the connector

I do have oil in the reservoir, ill check the oil pressure here in a bit once i can get my things charged

Hey everyone,

I’m troubleshooting a 1995 International 3600 with a T444E that cranks but won’t start. Engine will run briefly with starter fluid. Battery is good (~12V).

What I’ve done so far:

• Fuel: Lift pump working, new filter, return line capped — no start.
• Sensors: Cam sensor replaced, ICP located and connector looks good.
• Injectors & IDM: KOEO test → all 8 buzzed. Found oily valve cover connector → cleaned. ServiceMax says “IDM toggle not detected.”
• IPR: Unplugged → still no start.
• Glow plug relay: Issue started immediately after replacement. Voltage at IDM/injector circuits ~12V.
• Grounds & power: Battery fine, IDM/ECM grounds not fully traced. Fuse box not clearly labeled

these are the codes im getting rn, also cranking rpm is just under 250

 

[Antonioe1988]

I do have oil in the reservoir, ill check the oil pressure here in a bit once i can get my things charged

these are the codes im getting rn, also cranking rpm is just under 250

Im getting 38 oil psi while cranking

 

[ewo1]

I do have oil in the reservoir, ill check the oil pressure here in a bit once i can get my things charged

these are the codes im getting rn, also cranking rpm is just under 250

Too much glare and poor pic quality...

how about just posting what the DTC codes are please....

 

[ewo1]

Im getting 38 oil psi while cranking

That is your "Low" engine oil pressure, it's good.
What is your "high" engine oil pressure, from the HPOP.
You have to crank and use servicemaxx to see the numbers.

 

[Antonioe1988]

Too much glare and poor pic quality...

how about just posting what the DTC codes are please....

Sorry, codes are

155
124
224
612
541
622
615