Tough starting warm and cold what gives?
 

Just recently my truck (97 12v Auto 301k miles) has developed an intermittent starting problem. The problem has occurred in various weather conditions between 75 and dry to 35 and rainy. The idle seems average; I bumped it up to 800rpms about 6months ago. Sometimes it starts up normal as described other times it takes 5 or 6 tries to start and stay running. The accelerator pedal seems to have little or no effect.

Now the problem:
The truck will turn over, fire, and sound completely normal but cut off after a little less than a second. When the key is turned again it will repeat, turn over, fire, and then shut off. If I try and give it fuel to keep it running it doesn't matter, it will still shut off. If I hold the starter over for a few more seconds sometimes it will stay running, sometimes it won’t and just grinds. Also, sometimes the truck will start up fine, run for hours, and then cut it off for only a moment and the problem will exist where it doesn't want to start back up.

What could this be? Fuel filter was replaced about 15k miles ago, just recently I put some Power Services injector cleaner in the past 2 tanks of fuel, and this is when the problem started.

Could the fuel system be losing its prime perhaps? I do not have too much mechanical experience with the Cummins, but have done all my own work and maintenance so far and would like to fix this myself as well...


Let me know, Tim

Edit: After a little searching I noticed the fuel shutoff solenoid could cause something simmilar by releasing too soon. I replaced this with a new solenoid from fosters truck parts about 20k miles ago and have not had any problems with it since then.

The linkage adjustment off the shutoff solinoid , do a search on this site to find the specs. , the relay for same , mine the points got a little burned , filed them , now fine , check your fuel pressure .

Try changing the fuel lines. You can get them from fosters too but you would probably be better off changing them from the engine to the tank and if your having trouble when you get below half a tank you might want to change the ones in the tank also. As for the selinoid if its starting then its comming up but make sure it is staying up.

Check your lines. You wouldn't believe how crappy mine were.

Replace the fuel lines from engine to tank with diesel rated hose.

Most likely the reason you are having on and off starting problems is that the level of fuel in the tank is effecting whether or not air is getting into the system.

I ordered the kit from fosters, however I didn't order the line to do the tank side. Right when I bought the truck, the dodge dealer dropped the tank to replace/fix the fuel sender. Should or would they have possibly replaced the rubber lines on the tank side then?

P.S. I know "should have" and "did" are completely different things.

just curious if its likely. -Tim

Highly unlikely unless you paid for it. ;)

Well I purchased the truck from a Jeep/Chrysler dealer, and the work was done by thier sister (next door) Dodge dealership. I suppose they did the cheapest job possible. I will check the invoice they gave me as well as crawl under and look at it. Would I be able to visably see cracking in the lines? What should I look for. Let me know, Tim

PS. If I recall, the repair (as shown on the invoice) was nearly $800 to remove the tank and install a new sender.

Update:

Never knew what exactly the problem was so I threw some money at it.

I replaced the fuel filter, fuel pre-screen, fuel heater, fuel heater thermostat harness (mine was fried) and installed a fosters truck parts fuel line kit and the problem seems to have gone away for the past 200 miles.

Thanks for the help. -Tim