Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Hard to Start, now what????

[PSchmidt]

Have a 98. 5 (stock) 24V with 125K on the ticker. In Jan 04 the lift pump went out. A trip to Cummins in Cincinnati replaced the lift pump with a warning from the service writer that lift pump failure usually takes out the Injector pump, only time will tell. March 04 fuel began to leak from the top of the fuel tank. Only seemed to leak when the truck was running, did not leak when truck was off, even if the fuel tank was filled to the neck. A trip to the Mopar men and they replaced the sending / filler / fuel line unit on top of the tank. (Ouch) The leak has stopped, but so has the ability to start rapidly. I have always been able to start the 24v with the tap of the starter. Now I have to crank about 5 seconds. This problem is more noticeable on truck sitting overnight but also happens on a warm engine. The nights have not been that cold here, but on a couple of nights it did reach temps low enough to bring on the grid heaters. They seem to work (good current draw) & cycle OK. This morning the temp was 62 degrees and the first crank cycle was 15 seconds. I let the starter rest one minute and then hit it again for another 15 seconds. (Sounds like the lift pump is working -PSI unkn) The third time was a charm; it started with the smell of raw fuel in the cloud of white smoke through the exhaust. The fuel filter was replaced, does not seem to make a difference. The truck seems to have normal power under load and has no other deviations from normal except the hard to start. Where do I start to search for an answer?? Does the computer module need reset? Sensor failure? or am I going to the newest member inducted into the injector pump failure hall of Dodge doom? Thanks Paul

 

[ACoyle]

TTT

 

[RichardButler]

Aaaahhhh, Help I have the same problem w/ my 99 24v and I am at my wits end, Please contact me if you have any info. It seems worse in the summer, warmer months. I have already replaced the very expensive VP-44 3 times and consulted 5 dealerships that have been a complete waste of time and money. It may not be the vp-44, cant find any other reason.

-- email address removed --

 

[daveshoe]

Where to start

Without fuel pressure gauge, about only way to tell if your lift pump is in total failure again is to bump the starter [without starting truck] and then turn the water in fuel drain open. It will spew fuel with pressure from an operating lift pump for about 25 seconds. This will still not proove how much fuel pressure you have--only that lift pump is pumping a volume of fuel.

Not much of a start, but it will at least proove whether lift pump is operational.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

As for richard I would look into the tank area. Possible screen clog in the pickup tube , clogged vent on top of the sending unit platform. The chances of 3 back to back bad vp's are slim so there is something else undermining your situation.



Paul, Being they were in the same area I have mentioned above I would make sure that the line is secure. You may be drawing air? Long shot but hey it is after all 1 somethin A. M. I WOULD however get a fuel pressure guage on your rig pronto!!!!!! Basics number one is fuel supply. With that being an unknown variable you could be killing (Or killed) the injection pump. 70 dollar guage VS 1200 and YOU INSTALLING the vp or a 3000+++ dollar dealer job.

 

[GKarpen]

I have the same problem after I installed the FASS. Does it only when the tank gets below half way. I am re-installing the stock fuel filter so I can mount the fuel pressure guage. I did the flow test at the VP44 and it pumped over 50 oz's of fuel in 25 seconds. Checked the vent tube with paper clip, it is free. I am waiting for parts to arrive to move on to the next step.