My Rig Fails to Start

[Nemies]

Okay, I'm a newbie to both the diesel and the truck world, so please excuse me if don't know what I'm talking about. #ad


I'm also the type that likes to understand what I'm dealing with, so when I got my truck, I ordered the service manual too. (Got the service manual first, actually. ) So after my little event yesterday, I spent some time learning the fuel system, and read as much as I could at these forums.

Starting point: 99 4x4 2500 41k miles, stuck to Maint. Sched. B mostly. Had the manifold heater relay stick the first winter I had it, dealer replaced all kinds of stuff. After that, I haven't had a single problem with it. (Well, went in for the hitch replacement, if that counts as a problem. )

What happened: came home for lunch yesterday, and when I got back in, I turned the key, and it just cranked. All it does is crank. Didn't even try to catch. For the rest of the afternoon I read the service manual, the TSBs, and this forum. I checked fuses, checked lift pump (I can hear it running the 25 seconds afterwares, etc), and got nowhere.

From the TSBs and the wiring diagram, I'd suspect a computer problem. From this forum I'd guess a suddenly injection pump failure, but I had no symptoms leading up to it.

It's at the dealer right now. I figured I'd get the ball rolling. They said they'd call me tomorrow when they got to looking at it (they were almost closed). Hopefully I can get some DRB info out of them.

Any thoughts or ideas? I haven't been able to find any mention of suddenly total no-start situations. I guess I'm lucky! #ad


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Kees C.
99 4x4 2500 - stock (for now)


[This message has been edited by Nemies (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

[Mick2500]

Kees,
You could try a couple of things... . open your fuel cap on the tank, try it again.
Loosen an injector line slightly while you crank to see if fuel squirts. Sure sounds fuel related to me.

Mick2500

PS. Welcome aboard!

<font color=blue>

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 4X4, SB, LSD, 3. 54, SLT+, Sport, Intense Blue PC/Agate, Tow Package, Camper Package, 'DC' Bed Cover, Sliding rear window. Totally STOCK!!
On Order 4/28/00
Arrived 9/14/00 !! #ad

My Truck



[This message has been edited by Mick2500 (edited 03-27-2001). ]

 

[k_yeend]

Thats exactly what happened to mine, except I was on the interstate going about 70. I could hear the lift pump and the truck would only crank. It ended up being the injection pump.

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1999 2500 Quad cab 4x4 auto,Forest Green Sport,Banks Stinger-Plus,Smittybilt nerf bars,Smittbilt Outland grill and brush guard,Tuff Country leveling kit with SX 8000 shocks.

 

[Nemies]

Anyone seen computer failures that caused this? If it IS the injection pump, does this get better, or should I expect to have it replaced every 40k miles?


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Kees C.
99, 4x4, 2500, 5spd, HD, LS-Diff, QC, Sport, Forest-Green, Cab-Lights
Rhinoliner, toolbox, dual firestiks

[This message has been edited by Nemies (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

[Doc Tinker]

Out of fuel?

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Sounds like it is the injection pump. My 98. 5 did the same thing. Was running fine, then I shut it off, then it would not start. I eventually got it going again, but only after two hours of bleeding lines and cranking. The problem got progressively worse in the next week, and eventually the truck would not start. I scanned the ECM, and it told me "Injection pump timing failure. " It turned out to be an internal injection pump failure.

Funny thing was, there were no symptoms leading up to the problem. I was getting a consistent 24 mpg, and power was excellent. No smoke, no problems whatsoever.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

injection pump or lift pump , just because you here the lift pump don't mean its pumping any fuel . injection will just go , like those above have had happen .

 

[Big-D]

Makes me want to reconsider my thoughts of not spending the $$$ for an extended warranty. Would hate to put a new injector pump on my '99 if Cummins doesn't cover it.
Dave

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[John Berger]

Big-D, your pump should be covered under the Cummins 5yr/100K engine warranty.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 03-29-2001). ]

 

[Nemies]

#ad
#ad


Gah. Yes, I was out of fuel.

However, TSB 08-42-99 seems to apply, since my fuel gauge was stuck on full. Thank goodness it wasn't the injection pump. I was worried. The gauge had stuck before, but I guess I noticed too late this time, and started my trip odo without realizing how far I had already gone on that tank of diesel. Whoops.

Oh well, a nice excuse to experience flatbed towing on DC's dime. I've never seen a truck towed before, and I had a great conversation with the tow-er. #ad


Waiting to hear from the dealer about the TSB. As expected, I had to tell him.

Oh, another question for folks: I got the impression from other threads about fuel senders sticking that the low-fuel light and bell were unrelated to the sender. I couldn't imagine how they were, but from this little experience of mine, I'd have to say they all get their info from that same place. Is that correct?


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Kees C.
99, 4x4, 2500, 5spd, HD, LS-Diff, QC, Sport, Forest-Green, Cab-Lights
Rhinoliner, toolbox, dual firestiks

[This message has been edited by Nemies (edited 05-08-2001). ]

 

[csutton7]

I'd say yes as there are only two wires in the tank module so if the float sticks your light will not come on----glad to here it wasn't anything to serious---chris

 

[John Berger]

My gas gauge has "stuck" twice in the last 15K miles. Usually at some before I refuel it "unsticks" itself. I am out of warranty on the float and not sure that the TSB will cover me. I can live with it if it is irregular. I pay attention to my trip meter and take no chances.

 

[Nemies]

Dealer replaced the sender (TSB 08-42-99) and everything is happy. Sender is working, and rig is moving again. #ad



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Kees C.
99, 4x4, 2500, 5spd, HD, LSD, SB, QC, Sport, Forest-Green, Cab-Lights
Rhinoliner, toolbox, dual Firestiks

[This message has been edited by Nemies (edited 05-08-2001). ]