2003 wont start when cold
02-18-2009, 03:39 PM
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2003 wont start when cold
2003 2500 5.9 6 spd wont start when ambient temp is below 70f and truck bone cold will start with block heater plugged in. any thoughts also no trouble codes pending or stored
02-18-2009, 04:10 PM
#2
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Any white smoke when it does start, if so it might be time to have all 6 Injectors checked out as I've seen several of these type post over the last 12 months about 2003's no start when cold.
02-18-2009, 04:14 PM
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Must be the grid heaters not working? amazing it wont start under 70. if it wouldn't start at 40 i wouldnt be as surprised.
we call weather in the 70s up here in south central Canada beautiful lol its probably cool to you
we call weather in the 70s up here in south central Canada beautiful lol its probably cool to you
02-18-2009, 08:05 PM
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My guess would be that it is more serious than the grid heaters, since when I had my 03, it would start with no problem if you were in a hurry and didn't wait for the grid heater.
I think I would disconnect the grid heaters and check for continuity, and check for voltage to them when the key is turned on, first anyway... but I'm afraid DBLR might be right...
I think I would disconnect the grid heaters and check for continuity, and check for voltage to them when the key is turned on, first anyway... but I'm afraid DBLR might be right...
02-18-2009, 10:03 PM
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Mine has been doing the same thing..shop mechanic says all new injectors and lift pump.$3500.00 truck has 89K on it..dealer says truck is under warranty...BUT if fuel is dirty NO WARRANTY..imagine that. i told my guy to replace the 1 bad injector for now..money is tight.
02-19-2009, 05:54 AM
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Sounds just like my 03 and a lot of others on this site with the same problem. I used to be in the denial stage but am finally convinced I have at least one bad injector leaking pressure. By plugging in the block heater, the engine is warm enough to build enough fuel pressure to start. My truck does not start if the water temp is below 60 deg. until I heat it up. After it starts, no smoke, rough idle, or any other signs of a bad injector.
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02-19-2009, 06:00 AM
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I think its just plain injector failure.Not trash.Duramax has same issues.Gm hs EXTENDED warrantys on the same type injector.Have read that NEW injctors are a differant part number with a hardened ball/seat design.The repair OUGHT to be covered on Chryslers dime in my humble opinion.Plus NO ONE EVER posts that their WATER IN FUEL LIGHT EVER comes on! I wish someone would read just how in the heck that WIF light is suppose to work and if theres a TEST for it.
02-20-2009, 10:18 AM
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no smoke on start up coustomer says he gives it a spray of eather 
then she fires right up.. heater grid is working but even without should fire found some info in the scanner for fuel heater not working and causing a crank but no start condition in cold weather. will test fuel heater and see if its working should start even without fuel heater i would think. ill get back after some testing and let you all know what i find out!!!!
then she fires right up.. heater grid is working but even without should fire found some info in the scanner for fuel heater not working and causing a crank but no start condition in cold weather. will test fuel heater and see if its working should start even without fuel heater i would think. ill get back after some testing and let you all know what i find out!!!!
02-20-2009, 01:24 PM
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well after testing the fuel heater (mitchell ondemand test) it tested bad no continuity, also very dirty fuel filter and water in fuel filter housing. changed filter and cleaned housing. cant get fuel heater till monday hopefully this takes care of the problem for our coustomer, alot cheaper then injectors. will have more info next week!!!
02-20-2009, 09:06 PM
#12
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I'm hoping for the best for you and the owner, but I know people running aftermarket filter systems that don't use a fuel heater and start fine in the winter, so I'm afraid the issue may prove to be more serious (injectors).
02-20-2009, 09:21 PM
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Mine did the same thing, 6 new injectors and everythings been great since. Take the truck and have the leak tested or send them to Don M. at Formula 1 he did mine.
02-20-2009, 10:21 PM
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Amazed a grid heater is bad but as JEFF iN TD said there are a number of posts of starting ok with no heater and yet MANY posts of NO starts needing injectors repaired.
02-20-2009, 10:28 PM
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03' and 04' 305/555 trucks have different injectors than the 04.5 and up. Do a search for Don M. He stated a rubber o-ring that was the culprit and sayed he has repaired many many with this issue. 04.5 and up have different issue cause they run more rail pressure stock. They tend to crack the bodies on them, hence the new stainless steel bodies. But they still have leaky seat issues due to over use of pressure boxes or dirty, watery fuel. WIF light is a joke.....