Archived 97 12v cranks, won't start

[diesel_dude]

Okay I'm new to TDR and the Cummins 12v. I just got this one a month ago, has been running fine. Today I jump in and she cranks but won't fire. If I press the fuel pedal while cranking, it sounds like one cylinder trying to fire but won't run. The cranking was slowing down, so I have the battery charger on it.



I got this P-pumped Dodge for its reputation for reliability and simplicity.



Is there a way to manually override the solenoid? What do you pull on and in what direction? Kind of hard to see / touch the solenoid...



What else should I check to diagnose and get this thing running?



Thanks all.

 

[surfbeetle]

It could be the fuel solenoid, fuel delivery/return hoses crack and the system loses prime, bad lift pump.



The solenoid is easy to check, just have someone turn the key while you look to see if it's moving up and down. It's on the driver's side of the motor, towards the top. As for the fuel system losing prime, you can manually prime the system at the lift pump and see if it will start.

 

[Skydiver]

Remember, the solenoid will not raise up untill the starter is engaged. You can turn the switch on (run position) and manualy raise it. It has two coils. One to get it moving and one to hold it up. A simple ohm test will tell if the large coil is bad.
Is it smoking while turning over?

 

[Joe G.]

There are several possibilities. Some of the problems are free to fix. Email me at -- email address removed -- for my 12 valve fuel supply system write up, how it works and how to fix it.

 

[diesel_dude]

Thanks for the comments, info. I'll let you know what I find...

 

[diesel_dude]

I got the truck running now, here is what I found:

Based on your comments, I tired the easiest thing first, I cracked a fuel line that feeds a pressure sensor for the A pillar "fuel pressure" gauge, and I pumped the hand primer pump. It pumped easily, and took awhile until fuel came out. I replaced the fuel line, and kept pumping. The pumping didn't get hard, but I did see fuel coming out of the aftermarket fuel filter relocation assembly. There is a fuel connection block, held on to the fuel filter head by one allen head screw. I tightened the screw until the leak stopped. I also tightened all the fuel lines leading to the remote filter assembly. After that, it started right up.

Thanks for all your replies, suggestions. I learned several things, and am back on the road. The moral to the story for me: if the engine gets fuel, it should run.