Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Truck is not starting

[Justin1889]

This morning it got down to below 20 degrees for the first time since I have had the truck and forgot to plug it in. Went out let the grid heater cycle twice. Tried to start it this morning and it wouldnt start. Then the batteries went dead, so I charged them up and plugged the heater in for most of the day and get home and it still wont crank. It has alittle under a 1/4 of a tank but I dont think that is the problem. Does anyone know what could cause it not to start? Its a 98.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

Sure sounds like weak batteries to me. My truck has no problems starting when it is 20 degrees or below outside and that is not plugged in and no heater grid hooked up.

 

[Justin1889]

Well it was the relay for the fuel shutoff solenoid. Reached down picked up the plunger and started right up.

 

[PWelsh]

it was the relay for the fuel shutoff solenoid. Reached down picked up the plunger and started right up



I am new to the Dodge but what and where is the fuel shutoff solenoid plunger? I have a new 05. Does it have the same thing. I went to work today @ 0530, it was -15*F when I parked the truck in the yard. I was back 6 hours later and it was -6*F. Of course at work the truck is not plugged in. She started right up with one cycle of the grid heater. I was lucky because I have been running Diesel #2 but it's been so cold I am switching over to winterized diesel now. Up here in Minnesota the blended fuel is normally a mixture of 30% kerosene and 70% #2 diesel. At least when I was driving tankers that's what the computers at the refinery said when I was loading it into the tanker truck. I don't know what else the various gas companies were mixing into their fuels. I was surprised when I cycled the grid heaters that it light went right out when I turned it on the second time so I just went ahead and engaged the starter.

Paul Welsh