03 6sp, hard starting hot or cold??

[ADanka513]

3 to 7 seconds crank time,getting worse with time. changed fuel filter,lift pump. wait for fuel pump to build pressure heater grids when needed, no difference. have 04 auto, hit the key, its runnin. Ya i know, drive the 04. any other ideas?????????

 

[wcjp]

What's your fuel pressure?



Also, Does this sound like an FCA? - BOMBER Board

 

[TMcLachlan]

i had a buddy with the same year and stick with the same problems he took it to the dealer they replaced his injectors about a year ago never had a problem since

 

[ADanka513]

Truck runs fine under all load conditions once runnin,not sure how injectors would help, but thanks for your input.

 

[KDOHM]

ADanka,

I am having similar issues, just opened a new thread then saw this one.

Have you pulled any codes? Mine throws a P0602 (control module programming error) I wonder if the FCA will throw a code

A local repair shop suggested a reflash first, then replace ecm if code comes back - I don't want to have to buy an ecm!

Hopefully we can find solution - Kevin

 

[ADanka513]

No engine service lites show up, so if its throwing a code, I don't know of any unless I have someone throw a computor on it?????

 

[Scrappy]

ADanka,

I am having similar issues, just opened a new thread then saw this one.

Have you pulled any codes? Mine throws a P0602 (control module programming error) I wonder if the FCA will throw a code

A local repair shop suggested a reflash first, then replace ecm if code comes back - I don't want to have to buy an ecm!

Hopefully we can find solution - Kevin

do you have a programmer/downloader on it? that is a code that will show up with a programmer.

 

[KDOHM]

I haven't had any engine light either, my power pup read same code as shop did - I don't know if related or not. I just went to lunch and truck did not want to start, seems like its getting more consistant (for the worse) - I've got the "updated" in tank pump, think I'll change fuel filter tonite just to make sure thats not it. I don't think it's fuel delivery because it runs so good once started

 

[ADanka513]

Yes, runs great once its runnin, changed fuel filter, nem BG lift pump, don't know whats next other than the dealer, and thats scary!! U can't take it to cummins unless the rep has purchased dodge software, from 03 up its strickly dodge. ???????????

 

[sag2]

You need to get a DRBIII on it and see what the rail pressure is cranking. If it is building slow, you have a leak on the high pressure side. Unless you have the Miller tools to do the fuel tests, you can only guess. If your guessing, start by torquing the connector tubes. Could also be the FCA, so pull it out of the pump and check for signs of rust or debris. After that you will need some tools to properly diagnose so you don't throw away a bunch of money.

 

[ADanka513]

Now its a no start situation! Aranging tow to dealer to troubleshoot? I thought, before we take it to the dealer, could the ECM be having a brain fart?? Disconnected bat's for an hour or so and then tried, it started and drove it for about 6 hrs, will see if it starts again in the AM??????

 

[ADanka513]

Before we take it to the dealer, could the ECM be having a brain fart?? Disconnected bat's and let sit for an hour or so, it started, ran fine for 6 hrs, will try in AM??

 

[KDOHM]

I havent tried disconnecting batts yet - that may be a good idea. Sat I got stranded at a Walmart - truck wouldn't start for 2 hours (Thanks to Bighammer for talking with me on the phone and checking the forum for more ideas!), got a ride with friend back to campgound then came back 3 hours later - 4-5 sec crank then started! Definatly a relief, but still confused. I think I'll check and clean FCA and disconnect batts tonite. May get a rail pressure guage to check relief valve.

 

[ADanka513]

Is there a procedure for check & clean of FCA?? Oh bye the way wouldn't start this AM until lift pump completed 20-30 second cycle then shut down, still 5-7 second crank to start. NOT NORMAL!!

 

[KDOHM]

I think to check fca, pull fca off cp3 and make sure plunger is free to slide (it is spring loaded) - I have not done it yet, so I'm no expert we'll see how it goes tonite! Also I thought about temporarily capping rail relief valve ( there are some threads on here with a couple different ways of doing it.

I hope to find a cure before getting stranded (again). Oh BTW I checked prices on relief valve ($400!) and rail sensor ($350) at local dealer - I have not found a Cummins # yet, But read on here that a new fca from Cummins is about $100 (p/n 4932457)

Kevin

 

[bighammer]

Kevin, glad to hear you got rolling again. Sorry I couldn't have been more help, but we had a birthday celebration (mine) happenin' at the time. I think my family thought it was odd that after the cake I was searching the net and making phone calls for somebody I don't even know. (got to change that) At least my wife was able to explain to them this TDR thing...

Those parts are a bit $pendy I was hoping to find somebody still open, pick them up and run up to Petoskey. Hopefully you can find the inexpensive fix-- I'm sure it will happen to my truck at some point, so I'm all ears.

 

[KDOHM]

Hey Pete - Happy B-day! I really appreciate just being able to call someone and thank you much for doing the checking things out for me! I'll make sure to let you know what I find out as well as hopefully help ADanka as he's having similar issues. Goin home to do some wrench'in (hopefully, truck's been starting fairly well today!)

 

[HullD]

I have seen this twice in my shop now.

Both times it was injectors.

They would crank but not start, give them a wisp of either and they would run fine all day.

but shut them off and back to no start.

I was told there is a ball and seat that goes bad and cranking the engine can not generate anough pressure to fire the engine

 

[DE Jeeper]

I just fixed my hard start with a FASS 150 system. I have 132k on the clock. Even though the pump was running and you could cycle it with the scanner it must have been too weak at start up. When the engine got hot it would not start at all. I think since it is mounted to the block the heat in the engine bay was affecting the performance. It seams that the '03 lp is no better the the 2nd gen models.



HTH,

Aaron

 

[KDOHM]

After doing checks on fca (looks clean but couldn't seem to pry out end cap without excessive damage-so left it together) and relief valve (only leaks by a small amount of low pressure fuel at idle with banjo bolt loose), threw another 7 micron fleetguard fuel filter in (2nd filter in about 500 miles) - Starts RIGHT UP!



I am thinking lift pump ("upgraded" in tank pump @ 80K - now 125K) is getting weak - does pump, but with no pressure guage can only speculate.

I may look at getting FASS system, maybe guage first?



I would tend to think if injector(s) were bad I would see other symptoms like smoke, etc. I set bddl to stock to run for a while.