Refuelling problem

[Cloudmaster Don]

During a recent trip to points north, I refueled my 2006 5.9L 2500HD at an Indian casino/fuel station in northern CA. The truck and my little Casita travel trailer were sitting level during the process. Afterward, restarting produced a 5 second run time, followed by a lesser run time the succeeding two times I tried, until it wouldn't start at all. After clearing the refueling lane with a tow from a real big rig, the route took me a short distance downhill, followed by parking slightly uphill. I called AAA, and waited. Deciding it wouldn't hurt to try to start it one more time before aid arrived, I turned the key and, voila, the thing started and ran just fine. Cancelled AAA and drove off, none the worse for the experience. But, I'm baffled! Was there air in the fuel line? How did it get there? No fuel leaks beneath the truck could be seen, and I had never had that kind of "fun" before in the 1.5 years (& 15,000 miles) I've owned my 110,000 mile Dodge Ram. Except for a Banks air filter, the truck is unmodified. Do any of you experienced diesel drivers have any thoughts?

Cloudmaster Don

P.S. Using the search feature failed to provide information on this topic.

 

[cerberusiam]

Do you have the play school key with the chip in it? Sequence of events are real close to a problem with SKIM key not being read correctly.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

When you say the "...play school key with the chip..." are you are thinking of the fat handled ignition key with the built in remote that came with the truck from the factory?






I just dis-assembled it and found that it has two chips in it. Must be significant, but in what way?
What is a SKIM key?

This may tie in with my electrical problems which manifest themselves as intermittent clock, radio, and Uconnect operation. There is also a loose ground strap on the driver side battery I've been meaning to fix.

 

[sag2]

Was there a little round red light on in the cluster?

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

Was there a little round red light on in the cluster?

I did not notice such a light, but then again, I am sometimes the least observant person in the vicinity. No matter, which light might it have been?

 

[BigPapa]

There is also a loose ground strap on the driver side battery I've been meaning to fix.

Don't put it off. Bad grounds can cause all kinds of issues.

 

[cerberusiam]

Grounds can cause the problems as can bad connections on battery cables and the ECM power wire. It is worth to check all grounds and connections. especially the cross over cable and battery cables.

Either the key with a remote on it or the grey top key will be a security key. SKIM is Sentry Key Immobilizer Module, Dodges anti-theft system. Like any security system it can glitch at times.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

Hmmm
... Fixing what seems to be a ground problem has suddenly become a top priority. Thanks, guys.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

Hmmm
... Fixing what seems to be a ground problem has suddenly become a top priority. Thanks, guys.

Well, there we were nearly a year later, trying to re-start the engine after taking a break in a Montana rest stop, and just like last year, the engine would start but stop after a few seconds. After an hour of sitting and occasionally trying to re-start, it finally ran and we were rolling once again. Puzzled, and thoughtful, I reviewed this post and many others on TDR's web site. Concluding that the SKIM key might be the problem, I inquired of a Dodge dealer in Bremerton, WA about it. They suggested I bring both keys to them for testing. Both keys passed. It was suggested to me that when both keys are in close proximity to the ignition switch there can be some cross-talk which interferes with the anti-theft system and immobilizes the engine. The next time it happens I'm going to ask my wife to take her key and go for a walk. We'll see if that solves the problem.

BTW, the battery ground problem was fixed, but then I discovered that one of my batteries was dying. New batteries solved the problems I listed above.

Cloudmaster Don

 

[Ozymandias]

Close means a couple of inches within the ignition switch.
There is an antenna built around the ignition lock cylinder that reads the key that is inserted in the lock.
No way to read over a distance more then an inch or two.
In your situation if it doesn't start - try with your wifes key, if it fails you are sure it isn't the keys problem.

Did you check for your fuel pump? If this doesn't run properly it will make it stall too.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

According to the folks at the dealership, close could be as much as a few feet, which would include the passenger seat. Under normal conditions both of our keys work, though I have not yet tried using my wife's key in this situation. Next time...

I have not checked the fuel pump, thinking that if it were the problem, other symptoms would reveal themselves during the past year and the 10K+ miles I have used the truck at normal highway speeds. My Edge Insight CTS2 gauges all show normal operating parameters at all speeds whether laden or unladen. The non-start symptoms I have experienced are known on this forum, as my searching revealed. For now, I am convinced the problem is with the SKIM system.

 

[sag2]

There was still no little round red light in the cluster? A start and die within two or three seconds of the start is usually a SKIM concern. You need to watch for the SKIM/Security light.

 

[Cloudmaster Don]

I forgot to look for it! Maybe next time, but only if I go to the truck right now and do so. I need to know where to look! Thanks for the reminder.

Cloudmaster Don