Engine is hard to start up and run?

Tiny
DAVID9091
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE TRUCK
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 100 MILES
I have several of these trucks and 2 out of 5 start hard have to crank them longer then the others and some times have to give them a shot of either to get it running and they both crank fine and once started run great so it seems it maybe electrical mechicanel but I have no idea where to start pleas help thanks so much

Dave

P.S. Also I have herd that you can program features of the truck by the buttons in the middle on the head linner where the tempature is showing?
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 7:12 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
It sounds like a weak fuel pump or the glow plug controller is out but to be sure lets run down this guide.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 7:16 PM
Tiny
DAVID9091
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes well its a 5.7 Dodge Cummins desiel and we replaced the fuel filter and air filter on both of them and the milage on one truck is 100, ooo and the other one is 60, ooo have not had any major work done to either one yet these engines are great most the time they keep on running like a good watch
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 8:57 PM
Tiny
DAVID9091
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes they crank as fast as the other 3 pick ups forgot to ancer this before sorry
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 8:59 PM
Tiny
DAVID9091
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Is there a start circut and a run circut on there as far as the fuel is handeled like a electris valve or regulater I ask this cus as soon as it starts it runs great
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
Being diesel, it may be a glow plug issue. Im sure u wait for the light to turn off before starting, and u said once they fire up they run great. Thats pointing me towards glowplugs.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
DAVID9091
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes you can hear the relay kick out when they go off and the light on the dash goes out also but thats true it dosnt mean there working we will check that out my next question would be how do you check a glow plug?
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
MADMIKE1735
  • MECHANIC
  • 951 POSTS
"Â Pull the electrical connector wires off to expose access to the glow plugs. Remove one plug at a time by placing the socket over the top of the glow plug and turn it counterclockwise to remove.

"Â 2
Clean the threads of the glow plug with solvent and a rag.

"Â 3
Set your voltmeter to Ohms and touch the electrodes of the voltmeter to the glow plug.

"Â 4
Check to see what the resistance is of the glow plug. If you do not have an auto-ranging meter, try other resistance setting to verify you measurement. If the meter reads an open or infinity measurement (on Fluke meters, it will read OL), then the plug is defective. If the glow plug shows resistance that is approximately less than 5 Ohms, then the plug is not defective.

"Â 5
Repeat Steps 1 through 4 for each glow plug.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
BIGBLUETRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE TRUCK
  • 160,000 MILES
2001 dodge ram 1500 318 if truck sits for a day just turn the key and starts. If sets for less than a day truck will take 3 to 5 seconds to start. Even after shutting truck off for 5 minutes it will do the same. Real bad fuel smell after starting. New fuel pump plugs, wires. Distubiter cap, coil, battery o2 sensors converter is good.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Check to make sure the regulator isn't allowing too much pressure to the engine. Check plugs. Check temp sensor.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGBLUETRUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Temp sensor new,
regulator is good. Plugs new. When starting truck have to hit gas pedal to get to start.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELODIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE TRUCK
  • 200,000 MILES
Dodge 3500 diesel Changed both batts & transfer (lift) pump, no codes. What to check next? Trouble started after changing lift (transfer) pump, had injector pump cheked, it is fine. Fuel pressure fine. Changed both batteries & no codes showing up. Please help. Thanks!
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you use the upgraded tranfer pump. The old style was a real problem and they have an upgrade that works much better.

Roy
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELODIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, used upgraded lift pump, last night changed Crankshaft position sensor & so far it's turning over fine, but I will put it to the test. Still no codes tho, someone said it might be the ECM going out, do u think this is true? Does the ECM go out all together at once, or does it give signs like this?
Signed. Baffled in tx--lol
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JHCZAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1999 DODGE TRUCK
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 141,000 MILES
Hello, I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 4x4 auto with a 5.9L I have had this for nearly three years and has always statred great, this summer it has begun starting hard when engine is cold, starts fine when warm. If I cycle the fuel pump 3 times when engine is cold it starts better, It also has begun to idle rough. I have replaced plugs, cap, rotor, and wires. Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Jeff
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Measure fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge.
If fuel pressure is good, scan the PCM with a scanner (free service at auto parts stores) looking for any error codes, or pending codes.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JHCZAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
47 pounds and there are no error codes
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Check fuel pressure regulator vacuum line for gasoline, if present replace FPR.

Also check spark, specifically the crank sensor, a scan tool in live data mode should show RPM when cranking, if not or sporadic, replace CS.
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MATTSTANTON
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE TRUCK
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,554 MILES
Can you please tell me why when it gets below 4o deg. My truck will not start only when the temp gets above 40deg. Then it will start
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hi:
Without checking the truck, I would tell you to try replacing the temp sensor. If the sensor sends a bad signal to the computer, it is the same as trying to start an old car with no choke.

Let me know if this helps.
Joe
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VABOO1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1993 DODGE TRUCK
Cold start hard to start crank then clicking engine lites then fuel pump will come on and it will start replaced relay no help, no codes runs good when warm
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 4:16 PM (Merged)

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