I posted on the help page and didn't get any responses, maybe someone here can help.

My 95 2500 2wd diesel died on me a couple days ago. I thought maybe I ran it out of fuel, so I put fuel in it today, tried using the primer pump forever. Nothing. I took off the fuel filter and it is completely empty. I did notice I had to turn the key on and push up on the shutdown solenoid to get it to click. I was just told by a friend who really doesn't know dodge diesels, that you have to have the key on to prime it, don't know if true. But the solenoid will not go up when the key is turned unless I manually do it. Could this be my problem? The only thing with that is I had it replaced and the wire going to it and the injection pump rebuilt about 2 years ago. Could it be bad already?

Any advice is appreciated, I am at my wits end =)


I also have another question. Everyone I know keeps telling me my truck is just done because I have 387,000 and it is beat up looking. Anyone hear about them going a lot longer than this? I really love this truck despite its little problems.

 

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renacolt:

It sounds to me like the problem is definitley your shutdown solenoid. I would also look at the mechanical fuel pump down on the lower left (drivers side) of the engine. With the miles you have, that pump may be going bad. I would check the fuel pressure of the pump and make sure you have 22-25lbs at idle.

As far as the mileage, I wouldn't let anyone discourage you on that. There is documented evidence of many Dodge CTD 12 valve trucks going running MUCH longer than 300-400,000 miles. On Turbo Diesel Register, there are even a few that have hit the one-million mile mark.

Good luck.

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John_P

 

You solenoid is dirty, not allowing the magnet to pull the arm all the way up, as a result, your engine is not getting full fueling. They are easily cleanable, remove it, remove the arm, clean the barrel and put it back together. No need to buy a new one. If the rubber boot that protects dirt from entering from the bottom is shot, make one from a bicycle inner tube.
On the primer plunger, there is a 10c rubber O ring that can fail. Unscrew the cap, pull the plunger and replace the O ring. If that fails, then consider replacing the lift pump, but make sure it is the problem before you go that far. You also could be pulling in air from the fuel lines, especially with your mileage. You will not necessarily see a wet spot. You could pressurize the tank with 5psi and see. Most people just replace with marine rubber lines all the way to the tank and be done with the metal.

 

The fuel solenoid WILL NOT pick up when you turn the key on. There are 2 sets of electrical windings inside the solenoid. One set uses little power and is not very strong. The other uses a lot of power and is strong. With just the key on, the low power winding is energized. When you turn the key to the start position, the high power winding is energized which is strong enough to lift the plunger. When you release the key, the low power winding stays energized and keeps the plunger held up. This is done to prevent excessive power consumption and excessive heat inside the solenoid. Try to just "bump" the engine with the starter i.e.- just crank it for a second. Get out and check the solenoid, I'll bet it's pulled up.
You don't need the key on to bleed the fuel system.
When you tried to bleed it "forever", did you break the bleeder screw loose on top of the fuel filter??
Oh, and 387,000 miles is nothing

 

As Southtowns said the relay is duel purpose the key has to go to the start position to lift the solenoid then to the run position to hold the solenoid. The solenoid could need cleaning and that would be the cheapest fix but check the solenoids next, then there is a blue fusible link at the battery that sometimes corrodes. You can prime the 12v's w/o the key on. There are lots of reasons the fuel filter is empty, do a search for JoeG he has lots of knowledge on the fuel system.
Floyd

 

Thanks for the reassurance on the mileage!

I did open the bleed screw, did I possibly open it too much? Is that possible?

 

Some trucks have logged on in excess of a million miles!!!

Can't open the bleed screw too much though just one turn is plenty.

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