Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12 Valve hard start

[MStrain]

A buddy of mine recently bought a 1997 CTD 2wd with a utility body on it, truck has 220k on the clock, looks pretty clean under the hood, the interior is a little beat but he only paid 7 grand cash for it. He is clueless about Cummins engines and I am not very familiar with the 12 valve as you might gather from my signature. The problem he is having is hard start, alot of times he cranks it over and it won't fire up, turns the key back and tries it again and it lights right up, any ideas of what to look for would be helpful. Also any other tips on things to check for on a truck like this would be appreciated.

 

[hsmith]

First thing to check is the shut off solenoid. Bump the starter, get under the hood and pull up on the plunger, then try to start it. If it starts, then check small blue wire at driver's side battery positive terminal. It will break at the connector. Also can be corroded. Other things can be relay, starter contacts.

Try this and let us know if it starts.

 

[Joe G.]

It's probably the fuel solenoid relay or the blue wire as hsmith says. It could be something else too. Email me at -- email address removed -- for my write up on the 12 valve fuel supply system, how it works and how to fix it.

 

[JFaughn]

Fuel pressure test .
Adjustment for fuel shut off solenoid .
Test light to ignition sw. - fuel shut off relay - then solenoid , he should get a FACTORY MANUAL , for wiring diagram & future repairs .

 

[surfbeetle]

Gauges



LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here. - scroll down to the section with the fuel hose picture



A common problem is that the fuel system loses pressure while sitting. By cranking it for a bit, he is priming the pressure back into the engine. When he stops and then tries it again and it lights right up, its because it got the pressure back into the system.

 

[tgrfan2]

Does it start if given a lttle throttle? My two 12Vs are very finicky about the idle speed. If it starts with a little throttle, bump up the idle speed.

 

[MStrain]

Wow, thanks for all the replies, I have been busy working all week and haven't had a chance to check in, I will probably see my buddy this week and try check some of the stuff you guys mentioned, I will post results as soon as I can.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

It may very well be the fuel shutoff solenoid or the wire that runs to the battery maybe broken off or the battery connections maybe corroded too. Also watch out for the liftpump maybe starting to go bad. I just very recently had my liftpump go bad and had to repllace it and then come to find out that my fuel shutoff solenoid crapped out on me too.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Don't forget to find out about the dreaded kdp whether or not it has been fixed and if not I would fix it asap.

 

[DieselDoghouse]

1. Fuel solenoid esp corrosion if boot is broken open (foster truck for $28. 00 replacement) this will cause hard restart when the truck (and solenoid) are warm. The longer it sits the BETTER it gets, IMHEx.



2, Fuel relay as mentioned.



3. leaking fuel return lines that bleed air and purge fuel prime. The longer it sits the WORSE it gets.