My 96 just developed a problem starting. Turn the key and the engine fires but only for a second or two. If I hold the key in the start position, the engine starts. This only happens during the first start of the day. Once the truck has been driven, it starts every time. Any help would be appreciated.

 

When was the fuel filter and pre-filter last changed/cleaned?

If you hold down say 1/8 throttle while starting, does she stay started?

What is you cold idle RPMS?

 

Fuel filter changed 1 year ago. No change if I hold the peddle down while trying to start. The idle seems no different. If I hold the key in the start position and keep it there until the engine is running (a couple of seconds), the engine remains running. This only happens the first start of the day.

 

Sounds like air leak in flex fuel line letting fuel siphon back into tank. Common problem. New fuel line fixes this.

 

Here is Joe G's old writeup on the whole system. Lots of info here..

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/94...m-writeup.html

 

OK, first off, this is very abusive of the starter, so definitely we don't want to continue to do this.

On your lift pump there is a priming button, may still have the black rubber cover, might be just the hollow white stem, but tomorrow morning, before you try and start it, pump the bejesus out of it until you hear a hissing sound similar to forcing air through your front teeth.

Then see if it starts normally. If so, you have a air leak in the lines, super common and all of us have been through it at one time or another.

 

Definitely air leak check lines and if it hasnt already wondered off the fuel heater

 

Definitely air leak check lines and fuel heater.