Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Engine will not crank

[hdm48]

Hi there. A friend of mine just got his first Cummins and has a problem. It's a 99 3500 dually 4x4, auto. 80,000 miles.

He used it to go to mosses Lake this weekend and had no problems at all. But when he got home, it will not start. As in, the engine will not turn over. All the lights come on and the lift pump runs. When he tries to turn it over, nothing. As normal, the lights go out and the radio quits but the starter will not work. He tried to jump the starter and it works. All the fusses are good. No burgler alarm. He tried moving the shifter through the gears, nuthing.

Is there something he missed?



Thanks



Dave

 

[Sticks]

Find the starter relay. I have no idea where it is at. Could be the solenoid.



Try giving the starter a good firm "whack" with a hammer. It might be heat locked.

 

[LSMITH]

Dave, happened to me once too. Mine was the starter power lead connection was loose and would not put enough power into the starter to turn it over.



If you check all the connections and the batteries are up and all else is well I would make sure the starter solenoid is working. If it isn't check the ignition switch, they fail pretty regularly.



I have also seen this happen to others with automatics when the nuetral safety switch dog breaks off or the switch fails, and it is not that uncommon. You can either drop the pan and look at it or use a service manual and a multimeter to find the wire and see if it is working. Dropping the pan is probably faster, and you will only lose 4 quarts or so. You can screwdriver start it and bypass the NSS to get to the parts store.

 

[hdm48]

Thanks guys for the replys. I am heading up to his place tonight and we will try some of these ideas.



Dave

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by sticks

Find the starter relay. I have no idea where it is at.

If it is the same spot as it is on the '97's, it is in the Power Dist. Center (PDC) under the hood. Should be a diagram on the underside of the cover to tell you which one it is.



My guess is that he will probably need new starter contacts. Easy and cheap fix.