Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Help..All that is sacredly male is at stake

[Ol'TrailDog]

I've got a problem. My "new" 97 has refused to start twice after a long run. I turned the truck off. When I got back in the truck fired right up but then died after a very brief run. This happens over and over - a brief run then dies. So I go eat lunch or fiddle with things under the hood (one of the advantages of the 12v is you can tug on the throttle cable and the such like you are actually doing something useful :-laf ). After a while the truck will fire up and run great. Coming over Togwotee Pass tonight it was amazing how the truck with 4. 10s made a mole hill out of a mountain - slapped that hill like a bad dog.



Since I'm getting spark, it sounds like it could be a fuel delivery problem. Which means it could be an impending problem with the P700. What say the gurus? What else could it be???



Now the problem is my dear little wife - 5'2" 100lbs of Korean wisdom - it's that Asian thing you know, (They use to call her The Calculator at work because of her ability to do complicated math in her head) told me that "When you buy a used truck you are buying somebody elses problems. " And this is even though she knows it is better to buy used than new. You can imagine how well she managed to stifle being over-joyed when I showed up with the new 98, 02, and 04 :-laf



At times she lovingly refers to me as her "gong pay dol moni" which is best translated as a hooligan, or in my case the oaf. Usually because I tend toward scruffy work-worn attire and wack my hair off crewcut style, much to her disapproval. But I aint going to change. Anyway, I need help desperately before I get the "I told you so treatment" that will last for years to come.



PS: kidding about the spark

 

[bmoeller]

Check out the shutdown solenoid, or the rubber fuel lines.

 

[mechanic]

I would check the fuel control solenoid. It is on the fender side of the 7100 injector pump. Hold it up and have someone crank the engine. After it starts, release the plunger and see if it stays up of drops down. If it drops down, check the connections and if no problem is found, replace the solenoid. Heat is an enemy of electrical components. So if it starts cold and only has the problem after an long run, the solenoid would be my first check.

 

[FATCAT]

Check this site ...

Ol'TrailDog check out the Dodge Ram Org site for info on the Fuel Shutdown Selenoid and its adjustment or replacment procedure. Just scroll down a page when you jump to this link.



This site is a wealth of knowledge.



Also, there is some guy "Larry B. " who sells new Shutdown Selenoids for a good price. I do not have his website, maybe someone here will chime in with it.



Good luck there "gong pay dol moni" :-laf :-laf

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thanks a bunch for the replies and the link. The Dodge Ram site is indeed a wealth of info, thats where I checked out links to purchase my gauges and also to check TSBs.



Fortunately, the truck came with a 60 day warranty from Lythia and diesel fuel system parts are covered. Candidly, this was one of the reason I picked this rig, besides it is super clean inside, carfax checked out, and although it has a touch of body work and new paint it is sharp. Plus, I took it over to Rocky Mountain Cummins in Billings for Dave Moody to check out. I'll check out the fuel shutdown selenoid and have a discussion with them to see whose job, and expense, it will be. :-{}

 

[Lsfarm]

Try this

The next time you have the problem you described, once it stalls don't touch the key, just get out lift the hood and take a look at the fuel solenoid and see if it is still held up [correct] or has fallen down [wrong].



If it is down, then you can try either a new relay [they can be affected by heat] since it is a lot less $$ than a solenoid, and then the solenoid itself .



BTW, there was a similar, but not exactly the same problem in another thread, I think the problem was rough running after a heat soak. And this problem was solved by using a fuel additive. Might be worth a try if you can't see any problems with the solenoid.



Best of luck Greg L

 

[Joe G.]

The relay is only involved during start. Ignition on holds the fuel solinoid up. To check it just turn the key on and lift the lever. No need to start the engine to check that. If it stays up and starts ok then the hold coil in the fuel solenoid is ok. Then you have to find out what is preventing it from lifting when the key is turned to start. You don't have to actually start the engine to check this, just turn the key to start so the starter engages. Usually if the fuel solenoid does not pull up the problem is the relay. It is the larger of the two relays on the fire wall between the master cylinder and the engine.

 

[Lsfarm]

Thanks Joe G

Thanks Joe, I forgot that the relay is only for the pull up circuit. So the next possible item is the blue wire at the posifive battery post, corroded?? being affected by heat?? Don't know, but if it starts and then dies, it might be a fuel issue instead of a solenoid issue. This is why I suggested letting it stall and then checking the fuel shut off solenoid/arm position. If it is up then he has other issues, like fuel supply [no vent to the tank?] Who knows at this point.



Good luck Greg L

 

[Joe G.]

I forgot about that blue wire so don't feel bad. I shouldn't forget it because it happened to me. CRS as usual.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. Will be heading for Billings on Friday since it under warranty. Seems to makes sense that it could be the fuel shutdown selenoid because of how it runs for a second, then quits - repeat. Have a few other fixes they agreed to before I purchased the rig anyway, e. g. adjust park brake, right spare tire, all heater/ac vents working, and etc.



It is different than the rough idle problem on the other thread that was solved by conditioner. I run a condition regularly. Hadn't had an opportunity to put it the 97, but have added some now.

 

[cahammer]

make sure you dont get stuck with a bill i just priced a fss and the local dealer wanted $500 you can imagen what i told him to do but found a replacement on ebay a new one not used a woodward i hope to get it by thursday has any one else got this fss let me know good luck to ya