2003 has a Weird noise when idleing

[Highfinance97]

My friend has a 2003 3500 and when it sits and idles whether in gear or not.

It will idle idle idle then make a noise that sounds like a powerstroke then continue a normal idle, then a min. or two later do it again.





I hope my description is good enough :-laf





Michael

 

[Prairie Dog]

You mean it dies and refuses to start until it gets a reflash?

 

[Highfinance97]

SMART *** :-laf :-laf :-laf LOL

 

[Spooled-up]

You mean it dies and refuses to start until it gets a reflash?

I actually laughed out loud at that one!!

 

[BHolling]

my 03 3500 does the same thing. sounds like the a/c compressor clutch engaging and disengaging but no a/c or defrost on. it only does it when the engine is not warmed up all the way and i can only hear it when i'm standing in front of the truck. can't get it to do it when i take it to the dealer of course. would like to know if anyone has any ideas what this might be. thanks

 

[Dieselnerd]

If it's cold it's no doubt the heater grids cycling. The engine maintains the set RPM when the grids kick in and that takes more power since it puts a big load on the alternator. When it happens you'll hear the relays click and a deeper sound from the engine as the computer gives the engine more fuel to maintain the RPM's.



Normal operation...

 

[Highfinance97]

but the truck does it even after a long ride and when you come to a stop light and wait a min. it will do it. idk



Michael

 

[Spooled-up]

He said that the engine sounds like a powerstroke when it happens. My engine sounds the same as normal, just like it has a little load on it when the grid heaters cycle. I think his problem is a little more serious.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Spooled-up, yup, if it's warm it's not the grids cycling and you're right, just a sound of more power, not more noise. BHolling's noise sounds like the grids however.

 

[BHolling]

thanks dieselnerd. mine sounds more metallic though like a tinging sound. this occurs between 100 degrees water temp and 140 temp. it is also not consistent. it will also make this noise after the engine is up to full temp. when i do hear it it sounds as though its coming from the bottom of the engine. also the noise is not always the same volume. sometimes it's real noticable and other times its barely audible.

 

[Slow Six]

BHolling I have been experiencing a similar noise with mine for about 2 years now and no one would take it seriously. I found a decent dealership when I had other issues and the last time I was in I asked the mechanic to come and listen to my engine. He heard the same thing I did and checked it out. With the help of a fellow mechanic they determined that the noise was from the injection pump and there is a new pump going on in a couple of days. Apparently this is not the first one they have had that would do this. My truck had a clogged fuel filter right from delivery that I did not discover until another TDR member posted about plugged filters. I did an early filter change and noticed a lot of difference in power. However I had a lift pump failure shortly after and I am wondering if this series of events could have caused the injection pump problems. I am hoping that the new pump will address some of my other issues. I will try and post my results in a few days.

 

[Highfinance97]

Slow six

is the noise your talking about the same as my buddys problem??

 

[BHolling]

slowsix, thanks i'll call the dealer in the am and take it in. as far as i know i don't think i had a plugged fuel filter but may have. i changed it at the first 1000 miles and i change it every oil change. over kill i know but i figure it can't hurt. thanks again for the advise

 

[Slow Six]

Highfinance. My problem is the same as BHolling. By the way BHolling you did a good description of the noise.

 

[BHolling]

thanks slow six, i would not have had a clue as to what to tell the dealer. i would have no idea that the injection pump could make that kind of noise. thanks again, i'll let you know how it turns out. thanks again

 

[Dieselnerd]

BHolling, Let us know what the dealer finds. This is interesting and I'm sure we would all like to know what the problem is.

 

[BHolling]

i'll let you know. of course assuming it will do it while they have it. you know how that goes. thanks all for your help.

 

[rbattelle]

I believe the fuel control actuator will make such a noise when it's going bad (or gone bad). This is consistent with Slow Six's report, except that an entire CP-3 replacement is not required - you can just replace the FCA.



-Ryan

 

[JHardwick]

I'm pretty sure I have the same problem here.



Mine will actually skip a beat and then injector rattle to recover.



Other times it'll almost quit running and then "buuuuurp" to recover.



It also high idles in cold weather to 1000rpm like it should, but other times high idle to 1100rpm in warm weather with injectors rattling like crazy ... ... ... . a firm foot on the brake pedal brings it back to 750rpm.



Lift pump has been moved to the tank BTW.

 

[rjohnson916]

I thought you guys were having the same sound I have noticed recently, but maybe mine is different? Mine sounds like a liquid or solution going through a pump, or sort of metallic sound. Only does it first thing in the morning cold, until the truck fully warms up. Every time I hear it, the sound makes me think I left the A/C on, but it’s not that, it just sounds like the same noise an A/C compressor makes when it on. However my truck runs beautifully, getting good mileage, so I’m not too worried about it right now anyway.





-Ryan