Won't start below 32 degrees unless plugged in

[PettitR]

My 2003 3500 runs so well but won't start below 32 degrees unless plugged in. It's been re flashed-- no codes-- Been to Dodge twice in last year and they cannot give me a reason!! any help here?

 

[jelag]

When the truck is warm... . drain the fuel from the filter and see if there is water in the filter assembly and WIF light is not working?? or the sensor is not connected??

The grid heater is not coming on... . when you turn on the key first turn on the head lights and see if they REALLY go dim when the grid system cycles... this is a key indicator that the grid system isn't working if the lights don't dim...

These are the first places I'd start.....

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

At 32F a Cummins should fire easily if left unplugged and no grid heaters. PettitR does your engine crank over and not fire at all? Does it roll out any white smoke? Does it stutter or try to start but not quite "catch"?

 

[PettitR]

thanks for responding-- will not fire-- no smoke--runs great after a short plug- in start.

 

[MMoroney]

It may be related to low cranking fuel pressure/injector problems. How many miles are on the truck?



How are the batteries? If the batteries aren't strong enough to spin the starter over at a decent RPM, the fuel pressure will not build high enough to fire the injectors.



Another possibility is the injectors are leaking fuel through the return because they are worn. This will also cause a no-start condition due to low cranking fuel pressure. Although, if you've gone a year or so with these symptoms, I would have thought this problem would have shown itself at warm temps as well.

 

[PettitR]

thanks for responding-- I have 82000 now but this was an ongoing problem since 60000. Today at 41 degrees it took about 10 seconds of cranking before it started.