'99 Dodge 3/4 ton with 169,000 miles.

Everyone including myself thought I needed to replace the lift pump, even two local Dodge houses. But I did that today and still the same problem.

I turn key on let the "wait to start" light turn off and try to start my truck. Turns over and over and will not start. After about a minute it will usually start or I have to get someone to pull me and I can pop hte clutch and start it. Runs just fine once it is started but starts like crap.

I replaced the the lift pump and bleed all lines. There seems to be good pressure in the lines becuse when I cracked one on top of the filter after checking the filter fuel came out at a good rate.

Lift pump now replaced and lines bleed still is not starting and acting the same. I check the batteries and they are just fine.

One note is that when I turnm the key and "wait to start" light to go off the lift pump runs much longer that it used to when the truck was running fine. It does this with the OLD and New lift pump. So it makes me think maybe there is a crack in the line or a seal where air is getting in.

Any Ideas.

This truck has treated me great. At 30,000 miles the power steerling pump went out and at 150,000 the clutch cylinoid went out. Original clutch after 169,000 miles. Other than this new problem this truck has been great. Some of you all are going to kill me but I have never replaced a single belt, battery or hose. Only things I have change regularly are oil, fuel filter, tires and the brakes. The brakes seem to need replacing ever 6 months.



Thanks for any help.

 

Could be a leak, could be a crank position sensor.
There are a few folks on there that have had similar problems, hopefully they'll see this post and help you out.

 

Fuel coming out does not necessarily mean good pressure, because you don't have much restriction if you've opened up the system. If it squirted out with force, you have pressure. There is no substitute for a gauge though.

Since you do have fuel coming out, at whatever presure, that should not be the problem. Air in the system seems like the only other possibility since once it gets running it runs OK. When it first starts, does it sputter or run perfectly?
The next possibility is the injector pump. I don't know a heck of a lot about them, but I am guessing it does somethign different upon startup than when running, perhaps a different solenoid that opens or closes. If this is the case, that may be the problem. Do you have any codes?

Have you tried cracking an injector line loose when you are trying to start it? When tightening the injector line, just tighten it until it stops leaking while idling, no tighter, you can crack a sleeve inside the head. It's best to torque it is possible though.

Chris

 

Sounds like a fuel line leaking somewhere. I was having the same problem as you and some people on this site instructed me on what to look for. I had replaced both pumps and the filter and nothing changed after some close inspections I found I had 2 pinholes in one line and a loose fitting right above the starter. Start looking in the places that are so clustered with wires and hoses you can't get your hands on the line and you'll probably find you have a leak in a fuel line. Happy Hunting!!!
P.S. I didn't have fuel visibly coming out of the line. I just foung to wet spots on the line where everything else was dry.