Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) hard starting help needed

[nwcatman]

my son has a 1999 3500 that has started to become a pain to start. he says that when he turns the key to the on position, the "wait to start" lite won't come on and when he goes ahead and turns the key it cranks but won't start and acts like it is out of fuel. however, when he turns the key to the off position and tries again, the "wait to start" lite comes on, goes off, and the truck starts. just like it should. says its a consistant, everytime thing. maybe a fuel filter needs changing? any help is appreciated. THANKS

 

[Bob Wagner]

you can have your son reset his ecm by disconnecting the positive cable leads for a couple of hours.



Then when he reinstalls the positve battery leads, have the key turn to the on position (without starting)



this will reset the ecm, maybe something got screwed up or his stock ecm is failing.



it worth a try because the cost is right :-laf





hope this helps

 

[nwcatman]

thanks, will try it!!

 

[camnicolson]

Had the same sort of problem with mine, but also with a hard to start when hot. Never had any codes. Figured it was either the VP or the ECM. I was also told to check the CPS. As I live so far from civilization I decided to change all 3. The good news is that all is now good, the better news is that I finally had to get a Catcher ECM from Bob Oo.



Bottom line: do as Bob said, if that fails try the CPS. After that it gets expensive



Cheers,

Cam

 

[Marco]

No wait to start light = Dead ECM. :{

'Nough said?



Marco

 

[Herman8r]

just came back from the local Bosch rebuilder. He said the majority of the returned pumps are not bad. He stated the ECM'S are going bad. I wish I would have thought to have mine tested prior to throwing away $1000 for a new one !!! Still hard to start!!.



It's time for my call to Bob Wagner !!!



Herman

 

[Bob Wagner]

ok, now we are headed in the right direction, call made

 

[wes reeves]

I'm also having a temperature related hard start problem. The truck starts fine in the morning, but if the truck is warm it takes about 5 seconds of cranking to start. Wait to start light works fine. I've checked for air leaks in the fuel line and replaced the overflow valve on the vp44 and nothing has helped. I have researched the problem and a lot of people have this problem with a dieing vp44, but mine has never set a code, has had good transfer fuel pressure for the last 100,000 miles, and has never had the 'dead pedal'. It has had the hard start problem for about 3 months 10,000 miles or so.



Any suggestions?

 

[Herman8r]

Wes--check your local directory & search for a Bosch dealer or a local injection pump rebuilder. They can test the VP44 on the truck (to my knowlege) to determine if the VP44 is good or bad. Mine was good. My next step (hope it's the last step)

is to replace the ECM.



Herman

 

[wes reeves]

I checked with a local Bosch dealer who sent me to a Bosch dealer and injection pump rebuilder. The rebuilder told me he could only read the codes on the truck, and doesn't have the test equipment for the vp44. He also told me the pump could not be tested on the truck. The best he can do is order me a rebuilt pump for $1245.

 

[AC]

I'm in the same boat. To date have replaced the overflow valve, CKP, CMP, the lift pump, and still have the same problem. I wanted a Catcher anyway so I ordered one of those to see if maybe it would fix my hard start problem too. If it's not an ECM issue the only other thing I can think of is the VP44. I would feel a whole lot better about changing it out if I had some sort of a fault code. I have been following numerous threads in hopes someone will find the cause. Who knows, maybe we all just need a new Catcher Oo.



AC

 

[Marco]

From what I've seen so far. If there's aproblem with the Wait to start light. then you have an ECM problem and it can cause hard start conditions.



If the WTSL works... never heard or seen a hard start condition caused by the ECM. 'Nough said?



Marco

 

[Bob Wagner]

I checked with a local Bosch dealer who sent me to a Bosch dealer and injection pump rebuilder. The rebuilder told me he could only read the codes on the truck, and doesn't have the test equipment for the vp44. He also told me the pump could not be tested on the truck. The best he can do is order me a rebuilt pump for $1245.

cummins does have a vp44 tester that overrides the ecm. The tester plugs right into the back of the vp44 pump and has a handheld control pad to start the truck without the ecm.



I had a vp44 tester

 

[Marco]

I've "build" a VP tester on my own a long time ago. It's simple. Provide the power to the proper pins on the VP and another pin ( can't remember which )of the VP to ground. Even three cables with the crocodile clips can do...



Marco

 

[wes reeves]

I talked to a mechanic at Industrial Injection on the phone and he said to get the pump and the injectors tested. The local Bosch shops, although friendly, have not been very helpful with the VP44. I'll call them to see if they can test the injectors and, if not, I guess I'll be shopping for a pump hoping that's my problem.

 

[AC]

It seems like it must be electronic. Why would the truck start great when cold but struggle when hot? It's counter intuitive.

Mine is getting worse. I think I'm just going to wait until it either throws a code or dies.



AC

 

[wes reeves]

Well I replaced my VP44 today and so far it starts great. I drove down the highway about 20 miles then let it sit for 20 minutes, to absorb some some heat, and it started right up. I've started it 2 other times since then and still only 1/2 a crank or so before it starts.



I was also experiencing some shudder when I let the clutch out before I changed the VP. I figured it was my clutch going bad or maybe the carrier bearing. With the new VP it has smoothed out.



The old pump never did throw a code, but the problem was getting progressively worse. After towing for 20 minutes, the truck wouldn't start at all.



Thanks to everyone who has helped me in this thread and thanks to Herman8r for the e-help.

 

[Ron Bissett]

check your AIT ? Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[AC]

I borrowed a VP44 tester and went on a long trip hauling camper and horses. When I stopped I would check to see if it would restart. If it wouldn't I would plug the tester in and see if it would start. Each time it had a problem, the tester fixed it. This confirms that my pump is fine and that I have some electronic issue.

I took my AIT out and cleaned it up but that didn't seem to change anything. Is there a way to test them?

AC

 

[Herman8r]

I just put in the new ecu (Catcher)from Bob Wagner and the hard start problems went away !! What a differance the new ecu makes!



Herman