hi, i just purshased a 1997 3500 ram and it have a starting problem everytime I want to start it, hot or cold engine, i need to apply a little pressure on the fuel pedal. If i don't do that it will not fire or if lucky maybe after 50sec and stall. My dad have a 1990 and even at -20°c it start without giving it fuel pedal. I have a base on how a diesel engine is working but it's the first time i own one. Idle rpm is like 700 rpm and the truck seem to have a lack of power between 1100 1300 rpm. This truck don't have power like other cummins i've tried.

thanks for your help and it's a nice forum, i'm learning since the first day i have my truck.

 

97 - Welcome! You'll find lots of info here.

Unfortunetly - you really should have noted all these traits before you put any money down to buy your truck. It's always best, if there is any doubt, to take it to a reputable mechianc and have it looked over prior to purchase, so you can approach the seller (dealer or owner) and work with the price a bit more. In addition, truck & cars should be test drive thoroughly (45+ minuites) in a variety of conditions to get a pretty good fell overall how they will perform. I also always perform a cold and hot start, just to check it out. When I bought my truck 8 years ago, I took along a friend who drives a cement truck daily for his evaluation as well.

As to the starting - 5 - 10 seconds maximum. Mine takes about 1/4 inch of pedal travel and it will start in 1/2 second or less. However my former truck - a 95 AT 4wd, started in 1/2 second with no pedal regardless of conditions. Some take pedal to start quickly, others do not.

I would reccommed changing the fuel filter, and be sure that the fuel lines (supply & return) are tight and not allowing air to leak in. There's an issue with these trucks with these lines needing replaced due to corrosion.

Lack of power - something a test drive should have pointed out. Probably due to injectors needing cleaned, or maybe a bad injector - which may contribute to hard starting.

Good luck - don't be afriad to take it back to the seller if it doesn't meet your requirements.

 

hi 96, i done all you said before buying the truck, checked the truck with my dad ( who owned a lot of these ) and it's why i got a good deal. i just want to know how to solve this problem i'm not afraid to put money in it, just need some explication, how-to or tips because i'm new with cummins.

 

Cool - glad your Dad helped you!

Good luck sorting it out - you'll like it a lot...

 

The use of a little pedal to start is not uncommon. With the pedal does it start right up or do you have to crank it for a while? The lack of power could be a lot of things. Do as suggested earlier and change the fuel filter and the prefilter screen. If the problem persists then it could be injectors if the truck has fairly high milage. It could be the lift pump also so you should check the fuel pressure too. It could be the injector pump, I would put a quart of 2 stroke oil it the fuel and drive it 20 or 30 miles and see if the problem improves. these older trucks were not made for this ulsd fuel we have to use now. I mix 2T oil with my fuel at 400/1 all the time because of this.

 

changed the air filter and ajusted the idle and now it starts very easy without pedal even at -10°c