Guys,

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500, 6spd HO, HD 4x4, Quad Cab, Straight side with 151k miles. I've owned this truck, my 5th Ram, 3rd 3500 and 2nd 2003 for about 1 year. It has never been what I call a fast starter but turns over 4 to 6 times before it cranks as a normal. Last winter, it cranked just fine without being plugged in. All summer it cranked just fine. This winter, it refuses to crank when temps are below 40degs without being plugged in. If I plug it in, it cranks just fine, turning over its "normal 4 to 6" times. All my other Rams cranks down into the negative temps without ever plugging them in. Lately, it has started turning over more and more each week before it cranks, even with it plugged in.

I've read through most of the threads on this forum, checked the net over fairly well and am not finding the advice that I need specific to my situation. When the key it first turned on, a pump, I assume the lift pump, runs for 3 to 5 seconds and then shuts off. The preheater works, at least it dims the lights when it kicks on and they brighten when it kicks off. There is no white smoke as start up nor is it making oil. I get 24mpg around town and during cold weather can get up to 29mpg on the highway at 70mph.

I don't know the history of this truck other than I'm the 3rd owner and it came out of western Colorado. The first owner put 120k on it, second owner put 1k and I've had it since. I've had absolutely no problems with it, change the oil every 5k, have changed the fuel filter, (didn't help) and generally take care of my baby.

Any ideas of what the problem is? Any of you have this problem before? I would really appreciate help with this. I don't trust dealers at all as the most "honest" local dealer tore down my engine on my last 03 and he told me I needed a new engine when the fuel pump and 1 injector was bad. (Found my crank in the bed rusted after a rain storm, engine open and full of dirt from wind and dealer refused to take responsibilty).

I would appreciate any guidance that you have to offer, past experience or recommendations.

Thanks,

 

first, I think your mileage is off, are you getting that off the overhead? cause that thing is lying.

second. I would bet its an injector issue. I went through the same thing as well, no smoke, no oil issues, just a cold weather no start/hardstart.

get em checked, then call don m.

 

Does anyone have a suggestion for someone to check them around Atlanta, GA?

 

obviously the dodge dealer can do it, but their answer will be "you need six new injectors, that will be 4,500 dollars"

I am sure there are a bunch of diesel shops in your area that can run a flow test on your injectors, and let you know if they are bad. its around 75 bucks to run the test I think.

if you do have bad injectors, seriously call don m, and send your old ones to him to fix, its waaaaaaaaaay cheaper and they are bomb proof when you get them back. he saved my life last year.

 

So you suggest Don M fixing rather than replacing with Flux 1's? Or does Flux 1's also require a new pump so it's more cost than just the injectors? I've never messed with injectors so I just simply don't know. Also while I'm asking, is replacing injectors a "shade tree" job or shop job? I'm comfortable with engines but simply haven't worked with injectors before.

 

the flux 1's are the nozzles of the injectors, for don m to work his magic, you take out your injectors, send them to him, he completely strips them down, rebuilds the internals and puts the new flux 1 nozzle on. I had mine back within 5 days, it was insanely fast. and they are awesome.

you can have a shop do it, or you can do it. I was fairly new to diesel engines when mine died on me, and I was pointed to a great write up on this board, followed it closely and had no problems pulling and installing the injectors. saved a couple hundred for sure.

edit--

forgot to touch on the pump issue. you could need a new lift pump, but I didnt, I think the flux 1.5's are about as high as you can go before you want to upgrade to an aftermarket pump option. someone could correct me though. I am sure don m will pop in at some point.

 

Like Ian said, It's probably not the lift pump. I remember reading all the issues he was having last winter, but does it still have the lift pump under the fuel filter? the 03-04.5's had filter mounted LP's and a lot of guys ended up needing them replaced with in tank lift pumps. There are probably some old threads on here worth searching.

Just a thought.

 

A good simple start would be get your batteries load tested...not enough juice to heat the glow plugs, glow plugs use up all the juice...no crank/no start. One bad cell can ruin the whole bunch. I just replaced one of mine went from barely starting plugged in, to starting in one crank at neg temps

 

no glow plugs on the 03.

 

No but you have grid heaters which draw alot of juice right b4 tryin to crank it over. I would get some new batteries if there the originals for starters.

 

Hey thanks for the run down on what Don does. I looked his site up and it looks like he has it all figured out.

Glad also to hear you were able to replace your injectors. I'm a do it myself sort when I can but didn't want to tackle something that really should go to a shop.

 

So you had trouble out of your 04 and a battery replacement fixed it. I had not thought of checking that but do recall my engine turning over very slowly (like a low battery) back a few months ago when I let the truck sit for a few days without cranking. It cranked but I expected to replace a battery very shortly. Haven't had any further problems so I hadn't thought of that as a potential source of the problem. Worth checking. Thanks.

 

I'm going to have to check where the lift pump is on this truck. I honestly don't know off hand. There seemed to be pumping noise from the tank area and at the engine when I listened earlier today trying to determine if the lift was working. I'll take a look at the pump location tomorrow.

Something I read in another thread said the pump should run for 30 seconds when the key is turned on before starting. Does that sound right to any of you? Sounds kind of long to me and I don't recall any of my other 5's pumping that long.

 

Sound like batteries to me. You plug it in, the batteries are happier as they get a little of the heat off the engine. Also if it's an 03, your right on the borderline for the stocker's working time.

 

Wow, that's pretty amazing. I think if something similar happened around here that dealer would have suffered a catastrophic arson fire.