'03 wont start

[VolsFan]

Hi, my dad has a 2003 3500 6 spd dually. Never had any motor problems with it until lastnight. Called me and said he was on the side of the road, the truck had been spontaneously shutting down, he would stop and it would start back up, then it left him on the side of the road, it cranks but doesnt fire up. long story short he is using my truck today, we are going to try to fool with it this evening after I get off work. The truck has the bully dog triple dog on it, so I was going to try unplugging that, then I was going to get a new fuel filter. Other than that, Im not sure where to go with this thing. I have a code reader for my truck, but I dont think it will do the 03+. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[VolsFan]

Also, I was thinking it might be the lift pump. He doesnt have a fuel pressure gauge in the truck. How do I test for it on these trucks? Is the lift pump in the same place as on 99's or is it in the tank? These newer models scare me to death.

 

[BHanna]

I think the lift pump on the '03 is the same as on my '04. 5. It's mounted on the fuel filter housing. You could try draining the fuel filter, then bumping the starter (don't start it but leave the key in the run position) and let the pump run (you'll hear it run for about 20 seconds). If the housing fills back up, the lift pump is at least moving fuel. Geno's has new ones if you need one.

 

[p-Bar]

Any codes?

 

[SSheldon]

My 03 did the same thing, I took the cover off the fuel filter and turned the key on the pump will run for about three seconds or you can bump the starter as suggested and it run for 20-30 seconds. I ordered the oem replacement kit from geno's and that fixed. easy install to about 30 minutes, save the time remove the drivers side front tire and liner the pump is staring right at you. The kit even comes with an inline filter that goes in the suction line to prevent debris from going through pump I change this filter every 15,000 with canister filter. Hope this helps good luck.

 

[BHanna]

You can see the codes without a reader. Just turn the key from off to run 3 times and leave it in run on the 3rd time. The codes will be displayed on the odometer.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

If your tall or have disproportionally long arms (like me) I was able to change mine from the top of the engine with the exception of disconnecting the quick disconnect on the fuel lines. It's a pretty simple job, you just need the pump to do it.

 

[VolsFan]

Thanks for all the replies. It ended up being the lift pump; however, he took it to a shop where they put the pump in the tank. We were going to go look at it but it was dark where it was at, so he just had it towed to a nearby reputable shop. They cleaned out his injectors and everything, says it runs better than ever now.