I tell you lately haveing some major problems with my cummins. Makes me like my powerstroke better. Anyway have a 2003 that just would not start when cold. When warm it would start, but just got worse and worse. I had it towed to one dealer two times and they tried, new filter and full fuel flush with same problem. After they said they can not fix and brought it to another dealer. Now they claim they are checking injectors. Been four days now that they have been doing this. I don't think it takes four days to check injectors. Before the truck got towed to them, I can tell no white smoke out of tail pipe so no fuel must not be reaching motor. I can hear the fuel pump pumping fuel and dumping back into tank. I them lossened the banjo type nut near top of filter before it goes to injectors I think, while my brother turned key to see if fuel was coming out and none at all. I am no mechanic by any means but trying things. Did anyone have similar problem and if so how did you fix it, so I can call the dealer some idea how to fix it.

Thanks,
Rob

 

Where are you? Maybe someone could point you to a good dealer.

 

Lift pump test would be a good place to start. Heater grid working? Also monitoring the setpoint and fuel rail psi while cranking would be nice to know.

 

The CP3 can't pull through the LP if it's not pumping. Sounds like your LP may be running but for some reason it's not sucking any fuel through. Grid heaters may not be working either but I would think it would eventually start even if they are not working....

 

Pretty sure there is a fuel heater on these trucks, maby check to make sure that is working, also the grid heater that was already mentioned. These are the two things i would check first seeing as how your problem only comes when it gets cold out. Just because you hear the lift pump running doesn't mean it is working, open the drain on the fuel filter canister, let it drain then bump the starter with the key and leave in the on position, the pump should run for about 20- 30 seconds, make sure you have a good size container under the drain hose because if the pump is working you are going to see a lot of fuel before the pump shuts off.

rob

 

Talked to dealer today and they said they are gonna change injectors. I really don't think it is that, but whatever they say, its under warranty. If does not work bring it back.

Think you guys are right on the problem. I will let you know what happens. They still did not give me date when they will have it ready.

 

No way I can see injectors causing this, but keep us updated. I hang out here to learn with the rest.

 

Update, Called dealer today and you can tell they are pulling my chain. They said on friday injectors need to be changed and parts coming in today. Well today they said the original injectors are fine and the truck runs fine. I said what about what you said on Friday?? He gave me run around. I said fine so what did the mechanic do to get it to start, and he said call back will find out. I call back and said the truck wont start again. I said truck was there for 9 days now and still same problem. He then goes on to say that dodge has to tell him what to do tomorrow. I tell you I had it with dealers and the run around. At least the first dealer was honest and told straight out we are not capable to fix it. I still think its the lift pump. I will keep you updated.

Sorry for the rant
rob

 

1. Find another dealer.

2. Dodge is required to get permission from DC to replace any part on the Cummins. ( or so I've been told by a dealer )

3. The cheapest (and most likely the fix) route would have been to check the LP first.

Good luck

 

....that is the case for alot of Cummins stuff, especially injectors.

 

Get them to do a flow test on the Lift pump. (it is either located on the back of the fuel filter housing or in the fuel tank).
If the lift pump passes then have them check the Injector pump flow rate.

If that is ok have them disconnet the fuel lines at the injector to see if their is any fuel their, (pressure will be in or around 18,000 psi) if so have them pull the injectors and carry out a bench test on them. (if they dont have the injector bench tester then have them send them to a Cummins shop)

They should have all the proper tools to carry out these tests. If they start to stutter or give you the run around demand that they call their tech line and have you speak to the Tech Authority.

I would hope that they gave you a loaner vehicle while your truck is down.
Good luck keep us posted

 

Thanks guys. I do have loaner, but only for 5 days. I called company and told them my delima. They said they would push tech and try to speed up process. Still did not hear anything from dealer.

 

......flow on the lift pump is good info, but what the heel is "injector pump flow rate"?

......not a real good idea to loosen the lines on a common rail. It's not going to prove anything except that you can damage the lines, and sealing surfaces of the crosstubes. Also, a decrease in psi in the rail won't allow the truck to run. It really has no benefit. Anyone "bench testing" these electronic injectors??? I'm thinking maybe a few specialty shops may have the equipment, but it's not something "any" truck shop would have. Either way if an injector was an issue that should show up on the power balance test.

Tools are only as good as the people using them, which usually is the root cause of most of the dealer bashing that occurs here way too often. That and having to "pay" for anything. Who is the "Tech Authority"?

Good Luck!!

 

I dunno why the dealers have trouble diagnosing a no start. It is real simple:

a) while cranking watch the rail pressure. It needs at least 3500 PSI before the ECM will fire injectors.

b) while cranking watch for camshaft and crankshaft sensing errors.

If you got crankshaft signal and fuel pressure, the injectors should be firing. Dunno how to test that easily, but there should be a way.

I don't have the grid heater connected on my truck. It will start with 5 seconds of cranking at freezing without being plugged in. It smokes for 15 seconds and then runs clean. A Powerstroke won't start without glow plugs at freezing.

 

Injector pump flow rate should have been injector pump pressure sorry. (But you can check flow rates of all of these componets with the proper tools and flow charts from Cummins)

Any Cummins shop should be able to carry out an injector test, they will check for spray, burst pressure, timing and a few other specs.

tech Authority is their tech line that the dealers can call to get their answers for problems. They also can trasmitt data to them, for in dept diagnosing (this is how chips and boxes get figured out) They are also the people whom authorize fixes for abnormal things.

Cheers hope it all works out