Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) hard starting

[Moose]

The other day my 99 dodge developed a hard start condition... . It started up fine when I left to go to the store and then when I left which was about 5 minutes later I had to crank it about 10 times before it would fire over... I tried changing the fuel filter and it starts a little bit easier but not much... If I park my truck on any kind of a slope of more then a few degrees it usually takes about 5 minutes of cranking and waiting before I can get it to fire over... I came outside this morning after the truck had been sitting for about 8-10 hours and it fired right up after 2 cranks... Most of the time if I turn the key of and crank it a few time then let it sit till the lift pump stops running then wait an additional 5 seconds or so it starts tight up... . Occasionally when I finally do get it started the engine seems to surge untill it bring the RPM's up to about 2000 or so and hold it there for a bit then let it idle back down... ... . I looked under the hood for any fuel leeks or wet spots and didnt find any... . I had the lift pump replaced about 4000 miles ago... . Any help would be greatly appreciated...





Moose

 

[jerrethomas]

could be the vp44 going south. i read other posts of hard starting and that seems to be the problem sometimes. other will chime in here in a bit.

 

[CBrandt]

Re Hard Starting.

I am having the exact same problem as you! Mine just started about 2 weeks ago and has gotten worse. I just had the lift pump and the VP44 replaced this summer. Do to the lift pump going out and not knowing it. I ran it that way until the VP44 went into limp mode one morning. Did some trouble shooting and found no pressure coming from the lift pump. Had to charge the fuel tank with air to get the filter filled backup again, so I could start it and take it to the Dealer. Everything has been fine until 2 weeks ago. The truck started to not fire right way when turning it over. It would take 3 to 6 second before it would catch. It has gotten worse the over the weekend. I check the new lift pump and it is working fine. I plug my truck in when at home, but went to the cabin this weekend and let it sit over night. It did not get to cold, only 34F. This morning, I hard the hardest time ever starting it. It hit a few times and then the batteries gave up on me. I had to jump it till it started. Once started it runs fine. Shut it off and it will start backup after cracking about 10 to 15 seconds. On the way up it stumbled twice during the drive. I had that happen before, but that was caused by a bad crank sensor. This time when it stumbled the tach never died. So I am not sure what to think. The only thing that has changed is the fuel. The last 2 tanks have been blended winter and the last one I am fairly sure was No. 1 winter grade. I will let you know what I find out.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

same problem

I am having the same problem - truck currently at a mechanic, who I trust completely. In my case there are no relevant codes showing up, and the pump is getting the signal to supply fuel, and the solenoid is working. (He can tell this by the shape of the wave on the scope. ) Mine has been intermittant. We have pretty much ruled out fuel leaks/air in system, because when it starts it runs perfect. He says that it always starts, just takes 6-8 seconds sometimes, which seems like an eternity when it has always started on the first revolution! He set valves, and installed injectors on Friday - waiting to hear if anything changed this morning. I am going into withdrawel!!!



Ray

 

[rashwor]

VP44.

It may be your VP44 injection pumps are giving up. I don't know this; I can only speak from my experience. Mine did back in May. Had been having a hard start condition when warm for 2 years (would turn over 2 - 3 times before firing). This May, it got to the point that it would turn over for up to 10 seconds (an eternity) before it would fire after it was warmed up. Never failed to start on the first revolution after sitting all night. New VP installed in May and it has been starting perfect ever since. Mine never showed any codes on the OBDII code reader.



FYI on the VP44. Word has it on this forum that new pumps can be had for about $750 some place here in Texas. Do a search. I did not know any better and paid $1500 for mine in May.



Good luck to all.

 

[Ray Torresdal]

update

I talked to my mechanic last night (I told myself I wouldn't bug him, but couldn't stand it any longer). While replacing injectors, he found a bad o'ring on #4, where fuel returns??? Not having seen it, I can't quite visualize it. He said there was also quite a bit of crude in there. New injectors installed, and valves adjusted, it started like new. This morning will tell the tale. More news as it unfolds . . .



PS: 290+ on dyno



Ray

 

[Moose]

Over the weekend I took my truck over to Smokefoots shop here in San Antonio and he diagnosed the problem as a bad VP44... He replaced it for me this evening and the truck runs better then new... He is one of the best guys I have ever had the pleasure of meeting... I can honestly recommend him to anyone with a diesel who is looking for a bit more "oomph". .





Moose

 

[CBrandt]

Hard Statring update.

Ok here is the fix for my hard starting problem.







TSB 18-015-00 Rev. A Driveability Enhancements For Winter Fuel Use and For Hard Starts



I tried to get more information for you on this problem. Here is some information for everyone interested.



I had both my lift pump and VP44 replaced in June of 2003. Prior to that I NEVER HAD A HARD STATRING PROBLEM! This problem did not show up until 3 weeks ago. Around the time the stations started changing over to NO. 1 fuel. I noticed and correlated the problem after seeing an old post from JR2 that was for someone else having hard starting problems. I though about it and felt fairly confident that this was me. After checking for Lift Pump pressure, filter blockage, and leaks. All of which were fine. I took the truck in to the Dealer and told him about my problems and mention the TSB on the Hard Start conditions. I was a little skeptical that was totally the problem, because before I brought it in, earlier that weekend it had stumble 2 times while cruising to the cabin. So I did not know what to think. Any way they did some checking and determined that the flash was the first thing to try. It has seemed to work. My truck is back to its old starting habits. The question I have and could not get answered is how come a new VP44 would cause this problem with the old code? It must have to do with the VP44 having some software code of it's own or electrical change that brought about this problem. Because the old pump worked fine. So the fix is to flash the computer and fix the problem.



Chris Brandt

 

[Ray Torresdal]

still good

Either the bad o'ring was the problem with mine, or one of the old injectors had problems that we couldn't see. Mine has started fine since I got it back! Sure glad I didn't have to put a pump on it!



Ray