Here I am

Like someone turned Key from run to ACC at 80 MPH

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Timing rattle

48RE problems accumulating

2005 2500 cummins. 245,000. Only major has been new transmission like 80k ago. Older Adrenaline quad (now unhooked).

A month ago doing 80 on I-75 she shuts down like someone turned off the key from run to accessory. No power steering but lights and radio still working. Just got real quiet... Got her off the road, tried to start her -- she'd crank like normal but simply would not fire. Tried for 1/2 hour. Disconnected battery, waited, re-connected -- no dice. Had to get to work so got a tow to a local diesel shop and a rental car (had to get to work for a few days). I go back 4 days later, "It was your programmer, we disconnected it, works good!" ---- i was surprised but it was running great. so $500 later i'm back on the road.

Then two weeks ago I'm driving down a (thankfully) smaller road. Happened again, same exact symptoms, got real quiet, wouldn't start. Tow to local place near my house. I was thinking high pressure fuel pump control (had plenty coming into the cannister from low pressure side). They thought the same thing -- swapped it out. Another rental car and another week. When I picked it up it was running well. The dude who owns the shop goes, you know what's weird man -- when i went out to get it into the shop from where it was parked I cranked the engine to use the power steering to get the wheels over -- and it started right up. weird. that made me think that maybe the first shop did pretty much nothing (except put 75 miles on my truck...) -- that it had just started for them as well? Dunno, can't say that for sure. So anyway -- she's running again, new high pressure pump brain, makes sense. i drive and i'm happy.

then last week -- after driving just fine, starting just fine for two weeks -- and after driving 3.5 hours already that day --- right in the neighborhood, it got quiet, no start condition. get her to the shop the next day -- by the time they get to her she starts right up and runs great. She's now been there for another week, another rental for me, and they can't make her quit. I'm at the point where i need to be done troubleshooting and just throw parts at her? I'm seriously considering selling the truck -- things are just too busy and I have to have 100% reliable transportation. I've spent enough in rental car and airport parking in the last month to get a beater...

Fella's -- I'm frustrated. I'm getting fuel to the cannister, replaced the brain on the rail pump. it FEELS electrical. that sudden-ness of "key off" type thing. and then a flat refusal to start after.



No codes at any point.

Anybody got thoughts?
 
No such thing as "100% reliable transportation". It's either got a warranty on it or you got AAA, Good Sam, or other towing to get it home. Newer vehicles have more to go wrong, but, time isn't killing things. New trucks have, what, a $700 a month payment? I have rented a lot of vehicles for a good amount of time for that kind of coin.

You have an intermittent problem and I haven't seen the diagnosis to say they cured it. I read about the fan clutch shorting out causing a no-start condition. Ignition switches are always suspect IMO. Regardless start simple by looking for codes, disconnecting and testing the batteries, cleaning grounds, and make sure the positive posts connections are in good condition. I would then find out how to jumper the lift pump to hear it run or have a pressure gauge put on it so you know if it quits. (You did not say 'fuel at canister when it won't start' so just throwing it out there.) Check fuel - does it smell like gasoline? Any water at the filter drain? With the engine running you can do a harness wiggle test to see if there are any intermittent connections or shorts taking things out. You have to experience the problem with a scanner on it at times to track things down. Rail pressure when cranking, RPM - is the ECM seeing RPM... ETC.
 
i would also suspect the electrical part of the ignition switch, a cheap part and easy to change DIY. mine burnt out 2 or 3 years ago.
 
I had exactly the same symptoms. Lights, etc. worked. Starter cranked fine but no start. It didn't even try to start. Fortunately it was in my own driveway on the way to dinner. Rolled to the side and went in '98. next day I thought try the simplest thing first. The ground on ONE of the batteries was black. Cleaned it up and everything fine.
 
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