Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Truck only starts sometimes...

[TPlasek]

I have a 2000 4x4 with 100,102 miles. At this point the truck seems to only start when it wants to.



Sometimes the truck will start just fine and other times it just cranks away but will not start. You can kick it, slam the door and walk away, then come back 30 minutes later and it will fire up.



Fuel filter is only a month old, lift pump is working, 14 psi. If it starts, it will fire up as usual with no stutter or hesitation. It seems to want to fail if you drive it, then let it sit for 30 minutes. I can always restart it right after shutdown, it has to sit for at least 15-30 minutes before it acts up. It will always start in the morning and in the evening when I leave to go home from work. Just DON'T take it to lunch.



The check engine lights up when it happens but it only gives me the 1693 code which doesn’t mean much. I have unplugged and replugged every connector I could find under the hood. I even removed the EZ but none of this seemed to help.



Could it be heat related??? Could it be the computer that is on the firewall behind the air box??? I don't think it could be the injector pump, because, if it starts, it does "start" and run normal. It will also keep running until the next time you try to start it.



Any help or experiences would be greatly appreciated. I now do a little prayer just before I try to start it. This has seemed to help a little but it has not fixed the problem

 

[khaneberg]

SIMILAR PROBLEM

I have had a similiar problem with mine. One thing to look for is this: does your "wait to start" light come on when you have this problem. When I turn my key, if my "wait to start" light doesn't come on, it won't start. My tech said he thinks it might just be a bad ground somewhere. Hard to pin point unless you can test it right when it does it. That's my problem don't know if it'll help you. (FYI, mine still isn't fixed. )

 

[fj40charles]

Hey Tim,



Sorrry to hear about your problem. How is Molly doing? How is your Jeep?



Charles

 

[Ron Bissett]

Try cleaning the AIT sensor and the map too . Just remove elect connector and screw them out clean with brake cleaner or other cleaner and reinstall . AIT could read the temp and send the incorrect info to the computer and cause over or under fuel to motor. Ron in Louisville KY

 

[TPlasek]

I cleaned the IAT sensor 6 months ago. It wasn't very dirty (also didn't change fuel mileage still 16. 5). Unplugged the IAT and The Map sensors and replugged them in. I will try to take the MAP sensor out and clean with carb cleaner this weekend. It seems like the colder it gets in Houston the truck seems to be more reliable. I can not seem to get it to fail when it is "Houston Cold" outside.



I would think if one of these two sensors were not reading correctly, it would through a code and not just the 1693, but a real code.



I hope I am not fighting the inevitable, a bad VP44.



Charles, Molly is great. She sure is one HAPPY dog!!! As for the jeep, I haven’t taken it out since summer. I purchased two 4wheelers, one for me and one for Brenda. Seems like we do more riding on those then in the jeep.

 

[TPlasek]

One more thing, thanks for the "wait to start" info. I checked for the light. The light does come one with the lift pump and the grid heaters. I'll try to look for anything that could help out.



So, IF I don't figure it out, do I go to a Dodge or Cummins repair depot??? Does the 1693 code mean there is actually a code set in the PCM that I can't see but a Cummins or Dodge place could?



I am at 100,102 miles, so I am out of my 102 miles out of my warranty. I figured the Cummins depot would have more experience in DIAGNOSING and repairing 24V diesel motors.

 

[fj40charles]

Hey Tim,



Good to hear she is a happy dog... I wonder if Dodge would warranty the truck since it is only a few miles over 100k?



Charles