starting problem

[GAdams]

well I'm back again. I have a 1996 3500 that will not start in the morning. this problem started about ten days ago. After the first start and warm up it will start just fine the rest of the day. The fuel selenoid does not pull up with the first try I have to manually push it into place, the truck will then start immediately. I replaced the fuel selenoid four months back, just replaced the relay yesterday and cleaned all the battery connections. I could not find a blue fused line on the drivers side but cleaned everything connected. I have replaced the return fuel line three or four months back. Does anyone have any ideas about where I should start? Gary

 

[LarryB]

Try using a set of jumpers to get power directly to the pull open solenoid. If it works, your problem is still in the wireing, if not then you have a problem in the solenoid or linkage or pump. At least this may help you find the problem.



FWIW

 

[Ben Rumson]

Batteries?

This might sound over simplistic, but have you checked both batteries?



I kept a camp oven under mine for 4 hours one morning 4 years ago only to THEN decide to check both batteries. One was dead. Battery charger set to "jump start" did the trick.



Sounds like you're beyond this point as you can pull up on the one thingy and it works. Could be then that you're new replacement is defective... ?



Beyond a battery exchange I'm in over my head here.



Good Luck.



- Bruce

 

[GAdams]

starting problems

I think I have the problem solved. It turned out to be a wiring situation. The three wires coming out of the fuel soleniod go to a coupler. The white wire, the one that supplies twelve volts to pull the arm up in the seleniod, was not making good contact when the truck was cold. Cleaned that wire contact and replugged the connector and the truck starts. Thanks for all the suggestions and help, I learned a great deal from this little episode. My guess is that when the solenoid was replaced in Reno three months back that it was good and the problem at that time was the contacts. Parts replacers are really great and expensive!