I am looking at a 2004 Ram 3500 diesel with 300,000 miles on it, however the engine won't start, cranks but no start. The starter has been replaced and so have the batteries but it's still the same thing, cranks but won't start. Any idea's as to what might be wrong?

 

Can you hear the lift pump? Have you checked for codes?

 

it would almost have to deal with hte fuel correct???

check pump, lines, filter,

since it wont start offer them 5K for the truck . .. . .. . (at 5k ) anything can be fixedd

 

Worst Case: Dead CP3, stuckFCA, destroyed injectors, no compression.

Best Case: Out of fuel, plugged fuel filter, dead lift pump, weak batteries

 

Not sure where you are at or how cold it is, but the 03 and 04 models have been known not to start if you have a bad injector and the temp is below 45 to 50 deg. If you have a power source, plug the block heater in for a hour or two. It sounds crazy, but heating the block, oil, and water will allow it to build enough pressure to crank.

 

Thanks for the help. The guy wants $7,000.00 for it, I told him I don't think so.
(Also he said that the front seat needs to be replaced, needs new tires and a new CD player).

 

I paid a little over twice that for mine with 70000 miles on it, and other than a minor cruise control problem it seems to me to be operating satisfactorily. Some guy up there said offer 5K, if it were me I might show up with 40 $100 bills and see what happens. If the current owner hasn't fixed it, then it might be something quite expensive to fix. I did read somewhere else in the forums that motors are selling for 7K. Good luck

 

have you tried using ether?? I give mine a couple shots every once in a while when it wont start. mostly in cold weather. It seems to help alot.
Just spray it for a few seconds into the air filter and then run around and give it a try.

 

This is VERY bad advice! Ether is a big no-no, especially a "few seconds" worth. That truck should start, even without the grid heater, down to about zero degrees. If it's not that cold then look into the fuel system. Avoid Ether.