Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) hard starting? dont get it!!

[Ahopper]

so im trying to figure out my starting issue. if i let the truck sit over night and start it in the morning it starts right up. but if i get it up to opperating temps and shut it down and turn it back on i have to use peddle. i first thought that it was the fuel lines but i know they have been replaced and why would it start right up after sitting all night? i have replaced the return valve on the pump already. with the ac on and in drive i idle around 700rpm and in park its around 800-900.

 

[Ahopper]

forgot to mention that last weekend i was in flagstaff az. much cooler than phoenix and it always started instantly. faster than usual! i dont get it!!?

 

[Joe G.]

Your idle is a little low. There is nothing wrong with using a little pedal to start. I do that all the time. Starts quicker. Less wear on the starter.

 

[Ahopper]

now i have to use the peddle. i normally do use it but its not needed, but i have a remote start to cool the truck down befor going out and that isnt working anymore during the day but iff it sits over night it does. i know it isnt that big of a deal but i do want to know why its doing this. is it possible for my idle to slip? i know i had it right befor. because i didnt do it. the guy who did my trannie did. and i had it done by the dealer befor that. also, if im idleing and i let off just a little too quick the truck dies. the guy at discount tire stalled it 4 times on the way into the bay and 2 times on the way out. this has been a problem for a little bit now also.

 

[BigPapa]

If I don't give mine a little pedal mine will crank for a second or two before starting. Doesn't matter if it's been sitting for 3 days or if I just turned it off. I've been told it's because of the advanced timing. My idle is at 900 rpm.



Scott

 

[Joe G.]

If your truck is dying like that, then your idle is too low no matter who set it. Stuff like that is why I do all my own work that I can.

 

[MAllen]

Is it easy to adjust the idle rpm's?

 

[Joe G.]

Yes it is. You need a 10mm box end wrench. You can't see what you are doing so the hardest part is finding the adjustment screw. Feel around at the end of the injection pump where the throttle rod attaches to the pump lever. The lever stops on a bolt head. That is the idle stop. Find the lock nut on it and loosen it. Then use your left hand to move the throttle so that there is no pressure on the stop bolt. Then you can turn the bolt with your fingers. Turn the bolt until you get the idle like you want. Tighten the lock nut and check again to make sure it didn't change. You're done.

 

[MAllen]

Thanks for the info, by the way my 12 valve never has started instantly, but i barely touch the pedal and it fires up with just a click of the starter. Is that normal for these 12 valves.

 

[Joe G.]

Yep. I start mine like that all the time.

 

[raychem]

so im trying to figure out my starting issue. if i let the truck sit over night and start it in the morning it starts right up. but if i get it up to opperating temps and shut it down and turn it back on i have to use peddle. i first thought that it was the fuel lines but i know they have been replaced and why would it start right up after sitting all night? i have replaced the return valve on the pump already. with the ac on and in drive i idle around 700rpm and in park its around 800-900.

I see you have a GSK... . Give them one click on each side evenly. Go thru the top so you can run the truck with the AFC open. See how it starts. It should crank right up after you do this. Depending on who's GSK you use... some are soft and some are hard as far as spring rate. Your idle will increase so just bring it down to about 800 or so since your auto. If you have any questions or need help, call me at 786-543-9176.



Richard

 

[MMcCallie]

I've had two things cause my Cummins to die frequently. First it was the lift pump. It got so bad it eventually wouldn't restart at all and i had to be towed. Replaced the overflow valve at the same time and that took care of my fuel starvation.

After that i set my idle as low as possible for rock crawling. Never died going down hill, only when i tried to idle against resistance in the terrain. It really helped hold my truck back on steep descents but i got tired of the constant stalling so i raised my idle. With the low idle i absolutely had to depress the accelerator for a quick start. I've set my idle high enough that it revs to life on the first strike of the starter. If your engine dies without load, i'd continue checking fuel related issues.