HELP, STERLING Acterra Truck, making hunting rig, no start

[cjjfarms]

I have a 2006 sterling acterra 4x4, has a flat bed, cat engine, trying to make a hunting rig, it wont start, cranks but wont fire, i checked and when it cranks, the taillights flash. It gets fuel, but wont fire either. Does anybody have any sterling knowledge?

I need it ready for hunting season, my wife, me and our 7 kids, need to fill the freezer and this rig looks promising to take me into the deepest parts of the muskeg.

[Sooner]

Better have a great big winch on that sucker if you are going to the deepest parts of muskeg. Old Sterling dealer in Edmonton, now called Western Truck & Trailer. West end. I would call their service dept and see what they say.

[Drewski Canuck]

Welcome to the Board! But really, no truck like that is going anywhere OFF the road, into the Muskeg.

Muskegs EAT Cats, Track Hoes, etc. Let alone something like what you are describing.

Also, true Muskegs do not hold a lot of game!!! Go for a ride after a fresh snow from Wabasca to Nipisi, and see how many tracks you actually cut. VERY VERY few. Even the FN's hunt elsewhere.

But all the same, you are doing the right thing by getting your equipment ready well before hand. Nothing worse than getting out in the bush and having a break down. All you can do is get as prepared as possible. Mother Nature has a cruel sense of humour, and will punish the unprepared.

Drewski

[gmcmax05]

Get pics before she submerges haha

[Johnnyg313]

Is it a cat 3126 or a c7?

[Red Bullets]

just a long shot possibility... 12 year old spark plug wires can break down and cause misfiring and non starts.

[sako1]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

just a long shot possibility... 12 year old spark plug wires can break down and cause misfiring and non starts.

Long shot might be an understatement. ...lol

[NCC]

Most likely a Cat diesel, so won't be the plug wires. If it's a diesel, and it's getting adequate fuel and air, and won't start, it has to be the valves or lack of compression. The first thing I would check is that the positive air shutoff is open. 2nd thing I would check is that the ECM is actually opening the fuel valve and you are getting pressure to the injectors. Third would be that the fuel system is air locked.

If the brakes will release, try to pull start it. The extra RPM's might convince her to fire up.

Edit; I just googled a photo of a Sterling Acterra and this has to be a joke or trolling thread. They are a Medium Duty Truck that would get stuck if someone threw an ice cream cone in front of it. No way it's going through the 'skeg.

[Trochu]

Originally Posted by NCC

They are a Medium Duty Truck that would get stuck if someone threw an ice cream cone in front of it. No way it's going through the 'skeg.

He did say he wanted to go the the deepest part of the muskeg.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by NCC

Most likely a Cat diesel, so won't be the plug wires. If it's a diesel, and it's getting adequate fuel and air, and won't start, it has to be the valves or lack of compression. The first thing I would check is that the positive air shutoff is open. 2nd thing I would check is that the ECM is actually opening the fuel valve and you are getting pressure to the injectors. Third would be that the fuel system is air locked.

If the brakes will release, try to pull start it. The extra RPM's might convince her to fire up.

Edit; I just googled a photo of a Sterling Acterra and this has to be a joke or trolling thread. They are a Medium Duty Truck that would get stuck if someone threw an ice cream cone in front of it. No way it's going through the 'skeg.

I have appraised a few and I had to do a double take when I read that too, hence the big winch comment. That's a lot of truck on a bed of grass over water. I await the videos on you tube.

[IL Bar]

Does it have a low coolant sensor? On freightliners they will run a few seconds and shutdown if the coolant is low or if sensor has failed. Maybe on a sterling they won’t start if low on coolant or a failed sensor. My other thought is a bad lift pump.

[RandyBoBandy]

Originally Posted by Red Bullets

just a long shot possibility... 12 year old spark plug wires can break down and cause misfiring and non starts.

I'd be making sure your glow plugs are sparking properly, if that doesn't do it, try a full can of ether while cranking that sumna beach... otherwise just touch the battery cables together to clear out the computer

[dangerranger5143]

Originally Posted by RandyBoBandy

I'd be making sure your glow plugs are sparking properly, if that doesn't do it, try a full can of ether while cranking that sumna beach... otherwise just touch the battery cables together to clear out the computer

I would not recommend using ether to try and start it. If it is a smaller Cat engine like a C7 it will have a grid heater in the intake manifold. If the grid heater turns on while you are spraying ether into it the results will not be pretty.

Depending on what model of engine this is there could be a problem with the high pressure fuel pump. If it is a HEUI system there could be a problem with the high pressure oil system, not allowing the fuel pump to build injection pressure. Need some more information on the engine.

DR

[ram crazy]

Check your fuses for the ECM they should be at the batteries. If you can get a hold of a scanner that would be your best bet.

[MountainTi]

First and only (oddball) post....has not replied to it in a day....take it from there