How do i get a 1996 ford f350 diesel to start after its been sitting for years it will turn over but not fire

Do the glow plugs het hot ...............
Check the relay.

Hi Austin, I think you hit the nail right on the head! Replace the glow plugs:-) Regards John

Diesel or gasoline engine?

check your filters and fuel filter.. if they need to be replaced then do so.. then check your fuel pump.. a mechanic can tell you if you need to replace that or not... and check your starter, alternator, and battery cables

Bad Injectors most likely. I have a 2006 f-350 and was having the same problem. I ended up changing the fuel pump and 4 injectors.

you have somewhere short which is draining your batteries.

check the fuel pump and injectors, pump maybe retarded and injector maybe plugged . Take it to a diesel mechanic shouldn't cost much for a diagnostic

when you get a code the PCM will keep that code and till it get easased. you need a scaner or disconect your battery for 1h. this should clear your codes. when the battery is disconected don't sit in your can. the air bags may deploy if you hit the steering collem or a sensor to hard. just let it sit. reatach your battery then try to start your truck. if the codes are still pressent you make need let the car sit for longer or bit the big one and get the shop to do it.

I can't remember that year exactly so help me out it's been a while
is that a IDI diesel that has a injector pump sitting in top center front of engine (has all the fuel lines running off it) or is it a Direct inject engine that has the injectors all comming off a central fuel rail

IDI diesel = sensor is on pump front lower under cold throttle kicker coil

direct inject= sensor is on driver side at end of fuel rail toward fire wall

this sounds like the high pressure oil pump ( HPOP ) is weak. The HPOP is what fires your injectors. After it starts its building pressure..