Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Cranking longer to start

[ROADWARRIOR]

I drove 50 miles and shut the truck off. Started right up 10 minutes later and drove another 50 miles and shut it down. After 10 minutes or so, went to start and it cranked about four times longer than normal. It did this two more times when pulling off of the Interstate. It acted like air in the fuel system, so I checked for leaks and found none, so I drained some fuel out of the water separator. After that it didn't act up anymore. What gives? I just drained that about two weeks prior and only do it every couple of months. No water in fuel light either.



My initial thoughts were of people saying that hard starts with a warm engine are a precipitator to a failing injection pump. My fuel pressure was fine and the idle was rock steady.



No problems the last five hundred miles.



What do you guys think?



Thanks in advance,

Dan

 

[MD500E]

My 98. 5 does the same thing. I am so used to turning the key for that exact amount of time that it seems weird when it doesn't light off. First start is always quick, then some re-starts take 2-3 times longer. I too hope it's not the injector pump. First one died at 35K and was on dodge. Now it's bombed the next one is on me!:{ My thinking is that it could be the crank position sensor?

 

[RobbyRam]

This may not be the solution, but I had the same problem and it turned out both my batteries wher only putting out 8. 75 volts. I had 73K on the OEM batteries. After installing new ones I was back to just a click and she fires right up like new.

 

[TPlasek]

I second that battery problem. I had 86k on my batteries. When the engine compartment was hot, it always took longer to crank. If the compartment was cool, cranked right up.



I couldn't tell it was cranking slower, but after trading out my batteries with another cummins owner my problem was gone and he soon experienced it...



HOT Houston, Tx

 

[bigbrassmonkey]

try cyling the lift pumps twice, mine does it, because I have a slight leak in my lift system, that I and four shops so far cannot find, but 1. 5 cycles and vroooom