Takes a long time (3-4 seconds) cranking my truck to get it to start, I usually tap the throttle a little to help it out. Idle is where it should be (800-850 in gear). Any other ideas why it takes so long? My step-son's takes about a second....

 

is your step son's a manual tranny?

you could bump the idle up a hair and it'll help. or just keep giving it a little pedal

 

Nope, his is a auto also.

 

Mine is the same way, it will not start unless i give it just a touch of the pedal. I mean a barley even tap the pedal but until then it just cranks and cranks. I don't mind it anymore but I am still at awe of why it can't start with me not touching the pedal

Adam

 

Air getting into the fuel line. Old lines that let in small amounts of air but do not have a visible leak.

 

This is also my problem-just this last month my truck has gone from starting very easy to only starting with pedal. I posted a tread "hard starting" earlier and had some replies-just haven't had time to dig into it. I just replaced a rubber section of fuel (return I think) aft of the head (difficult) and a few weeks later the problem started-anyway the fuel lines are not cheap-is there a source for cost effective replacement?
Andy

 

Could be one of many things. Does it seem to stumble, like it's running out of fuel?

 

Usually the problem is the idle it too low because the tach isn't right.
Factory service manual says not to trust it.
Personally I'd rather give it a little throttle than have the idle at spec.

 

I like where my idle is at and I am fine with just pushing the pedal down, O and i have adjusted the idle down too so that could be the problem but if I remember right it did that before I adjusted it. I barely tap the pedal and it goes. There is no stumbling, except twice it did for a split second after it sat for over a week while I was on vacation.

Adam

 

Mine has started like this the entire 7 years i have owned it. Press gently (about 1/4" of travel) on the throttle and it's 1/2 second, every time. Forget and crank 2-4 seconds, every time. Even tried a differnt shutoff selonoid, to no avail.

Where my '95 AT 4wd, which I owned less that 6 months, was 1/2 second, every time, no pedal at all. It was about the only positive thing that truck had going for it (former company truck, abused, and dealer essentially played the clueless one.) Never sure why there's a difference.

 

.....but since it's fuel injected, there shouldn't be a need for go-pedal action to start it; not unless there's not enough fuel at the injectors. If the fuel line hasn't been checked or replaced, I'd start there. The only time I had that issue (other than when I change a water/fuel filter and have to re-prime) was when the fuel line to the pump was leaking and losing its prime over night.

Guess I'll put the disclaimer..... this is, of course, if the starting system is good to go.

 

I went thru this about 2 years ago. My truck always started quickly and suddenly started taking a few seconds to start. Bottom line it was my starter. Eventhough the starter tested good, it was weak. I put in a new starter and I was back to instant starting.

 

Both my 12 valves are/where like that. The only bad thing is when someone else gets in there that has never drove it before and they go cranking on it.......and you run around the corner screaming like an idiot....."GIVE IT SOME PEDAL!!! GIVE IT SOME PEDAL!!".

Its like someone is beating your best dog.

Happy 4th everyone! later.

 

Interesting. I was just about to make a post on this. My 1994 and the 1998 are the same but my 1995 would start almost instantly without touching the pedal. So it seems some trucks will and most won't. So what should be expected according to factory specs?

In my case, I have tried starting immediately after shut-off and its the same so I don't thing priming is an issue, right?? I have checked the soleniod movement and its free. Truck runs real good. It just needs a little pedal about the weight of my boot and fires instantly even cold with a little puff of black.... I really don't mind as long as this is considered normal. Bill (Infidel) seems to indicate this and we all trust his expertise.

Just seems that if some start instantly, then all can be made to do the same. hmmmmmm

 

Mine is the same way, still takes the same time after shut-off. Could the gov. springs adjustment have anything to do with it?
Starter related? Could it be that my truck only has about 11-12 volts at idle? Only comes up to 14 when under power or reved up? The parts store guys have tested both batteries and the alt. all say there normal.