Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Lousy cold start

[ScottLewis]

Just returned to balmy Calif. after a trip that included Austin, TX during the God-awful record cold there. My truck sat on the street for about 10 hours one day and although it did start after a couple of heat grid cycles, it only ran about a minute before stuttering badly, then dying. I had to go through the process at least 10 times over about 1/2 hour before the truck was warm enough to pull out. The poor running continued for the next couple of days, needing a much longer than normal warm-up before it would run right.



Question?? Is the problem the fuel heater or what? After heat grid cycle it fires up fine, just doesn't want to run until the temp gauge is above 140 for several minutes.

 

[Signal73]

Even though your WTS light comes on, are you sure the grids are actually functional? Does your Alt needle swing back and fourth every few seconds?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I doubt it's a grid heater problem, if it does get started it will keep running and smooth out pretty quickly.



More likely a dead fuel heater, they die fairly regularly, unbeknownst to the owner. A new one is about $35 from Cummins, Fleetguard PN is 3907766-S. Also order the $6 prefilter service kit Fleetguard PN 3845400-s and do that while you're at it. Read more here http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/filter/pre-filt_clean.htm



Also could be your fuel gelled a bit, especially if you filled up in a warmer climate. Do you use fuel additive? How cold was it?



Vaughn

 

[EXSTROKER]

yep what he said or maby getting air in system

 

[MMiller]

My brothers 94 starts very poorly when cold and he figured out if he puts his foot on the throttle just a little bit it starts much nicer and idles smooth. Actually the idle is set a little too slow, and when the engine is cold it has a hard time idleing.



My dads 95 starts perfect. My 93 used to start perfect with idle around 900 rpms, this summer I set it down to and it has a hard time idling until it gets a little temp.



How cold is cold? I am a little doubtful of fuel gelling, especially as far south as you are... ... but alas I could be wrong.



Michael

 

[ScottLewis]

Temp was about 20F. I filled up east of Dallas and had been in Ark. for a few weeks prior. I don't use additives, dont' normally need them. I do crack the throttle when temp is below 40, seems to help starting. I'm sure the heater grids are working. I suspected gelling was the problem because of the long delay in warming enough to keep running. A few days earlier temp was 17 near Albuquerque and it started fairly well. Haven't had a problem since getting to a warmer climate. I'll run a test on the fuel heater and review the site you suggested Vaughn. Thanks to all for the quick response.