Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine hard to start when Hot!!!!

[Kf6cmp]

I have a problem. Ive replaced my vp and lift pump with fass. Ran fine for six months and has run fine. I just went on a trip into Mexico and into the trip I started having a starting problem. When hot it cranks for quite a while before starting. When its left to cool completely down it starts up with a little cracking. When running it runs fine. The weather was very hot and humid. I was thinking it was the fuel but Ive never had a problem before running Mex. diesel. (pre-fass pump). Read the post and maybe check valve, could this cause this problem. coincidentally my fuel gauge also stopped working on the trip. What to do. Chris

 

[MRose]

When I upgraded to the FASS I ruptured the fuel diaphram in the VP44 after a few weeks. Ok to start when cold but had use ether when hot. New inj. pump with the upgraded thicker diaphram solved the problem.

 

[Kf6cmp]

how did you know that it was the diaphram. Is there a way to tell. And also when I bought the fass I also bought the new vp44 from the same company shouldn't they have known this issue. Seems somebody with the knowledge would know this.

Thanks

 

[LowFly]

Check out this thread... .



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ssion-1998-5-2002/192969-fass-hard-start.html

 

[Kf6cmp]

Thanks Diesel-Dan,

I will look at all fittings for leaks if none found then, I looked at the wiring schematic and do you think this could be the problom. Only hot does my truck have a hard time starting. Seems like air in system. Well Another adventure in fuel system problom. Thanks again

 

[LowFly]

We see this issue pop up every summer... ... its hit and miss... . but that hard start wireing fix works well.



Another thing is you can flash your truck with a Smarty. Then return it back to stock. This updates your ECM to the latest and greatest that DC has to offer.

 

[Kf6cmp]

Im pretty much a novice to this stuff. I can turn a wrench with the best of um but tech is always tuff. I'm familiar with flashing a com but how do you flash the ecm and pardon my ignorance,but what is a smarty. run this by me if you could. Thanks again, Chris

 

[LowFly]

Im pretty much a novice to this stuff. I can turn a wrench with the best of um but tech is always tuff. I'm familiar with flashing a com but how do you flash the ecm and pardon my ignorance,but what is a smarty. run this by me if you could. Thanks again, Chris

This is the Smarty...



The reflash has been know to work as well... BUT if you go to a Dodge dealer and ask for a reflash, 9 times out of 10 they will look at you like you just asked for a Chevy starter for your Ford Ranger..... :-laf I find the Smarty option easier as many have them. And all you need to do is flash your truck with it and then return it back to stock. That simple.

 

[Kf6cmp]

Diesel-Dan,

So far I looked into having the ecm at Dodge and its $100. Ive looked through the lines for no leaks. I Read on Fass that the weaker pressure spring would lower the pressure from 16psi(which my fuel guage reads at) to 11psi. This could eleveat it. Also they talk about a oil pressure delay that would delay the lp tell there is 4 lbs of oil pressure before activating the pump. Is this also the idea of the rewire schematic you refered me to? CHRIS

 

[LowFly]

Diesel-Dan,

So far I looked into having the ecm at Dodge and its $100. Ive looked through the lines for no leaks. I Read on Fass that the weaker pressure spring would lower the pressure from 16psi(which my fuel guage reads at) to 11psi. This could eleveat it. Also they talk about a oil pressure delay that would delay the lp tell there is 4 lbs of oil pressure before activating the pump. Is this also the idea of the rewire schematic you refered me to? CHRIS

OK... so you have the HPFP then... ... UM... i do have a 12 PSI spring... and the pressure switch idea can work as well. More or less the hard start fix that i send you could be done today with zero cost to you.

 

[Kf6cmp]

Hey Diesel-Dan,

I'm doing the rewiring and am hooking up to the power window fuse but I dont have p windows so i'm using a fuse tap to that spot. What amp fuse should I use, There is a 5 amp in the tap now, will this due or is it to little. Also my fuel gauge stopped working while in Mex. . Is this always the sending unit? This requires pulling the tank to replace agggg. Thanks for the help. I will post all finished work and outcomes. I plan on having the trucks ecm flashed also. Chris

 

[LowFly]

Hey Diesel-Dan,

I'm doing the rewiring and am hooking up to the power window fuse but I dont have p windows so i'm using a fuse tap to that spot. What amp fuse should I use, There is a 5 amp in the tap now, will this due or is it to little. Also my fuel gauge stopped working while in Mex. . Is this always the sending unit? This requires pulling the tank to replace agggg. Thanks for the help. I will post all finished work and outcomes. I plan on having the trucks ecm flashed also. Chris

Well the amp draw at the fuse box will be very light... its only running the relay... thats it. SO if the 5a fuse holds it..... run with it. If it dont... put a 10a in it... BUT I dont see you needing more than 5a to run the relay.



Fuel gauge..... not uncommon to see them go out... ... check your connection at the tank..... pull the connector and jumper the 2 center wires... . if you gague goes to full, its your sending unit that is messing up. AND yes... then you got to pull the tank at that point.

 

[Kf6cmp]

Thanks will do the test on the unit and will use the 5 amp. Thanks again. Chris

 

[Kf6cmp]

well I pulled the plug it was clean and jumpered the two center wires and no go at first then monkeyed with the probes of the jumper and they had to be insurted far into the female middle wire conectors. Then finally the tank gauge rose to full. Well looks like I have a bad sending unit. This will be my second one. First one was under warrenty. There is a thread out there I belive throu genos that talks about improving the sending unit. This is the thread to improve the sending unit:



Dodge ram Fuel Tank Sender Repair



Thanks, Chris

 

[Kf6cmp]

Just to let all know the outcome of my trucks latest. Diesel Dan's suggestion to do a rewiring of my FASS pump. And Two weeks now it is starting perfect. I was in real hot weather with humidity and it started right up. I feel this is a done issue. My fuel tank gauge started working after I ran my fuel tank down to almost empty. I filled up the tank and the gauge still works. The problem may be that in Mexico they fill up the tank all the way to the top. Maybe the unit just got jambed. Thanks again diesel dan.

 

[LowFly]

Just to let all know the outcome of my trucks latest. Diesel Dan's suggestion to do a rewiring of my FASS pump. And Two weeks now it is starting perfect. I was in real hot weather with humidity and it started right up. I feel this is a done issue. My fuel tank gauge started working after I ran my fuel tank down to almost empty. I filled up the tank and the gauge still works. The problem may be that in Mexico they fill up the tank all the way to the top. Maybe the unit just got jambed. Thanks again diesel dan.

Glad i could be of assistance... .....