99 CTD intermittent starting problems
 

First of all I want to say Hi, and this looks like a great board. Was referred by J-Body over at Moparts (here I've seen to). Following is a copy of my ist & 2nd post there.
1st
Last week while on vacation the pickup almost failed to start twice. By almost, I mean on two occasions two days apart it took 10 to 12 attempts, cranking fairly long durations each attempt. Over the last few months it has had intermittent starting problems. Meaning once every 20 to 30 starts it would take 4 to 5 seconds of cranking rather than busting right off. Being on vacation and unable to really test things, etc. I bought and installed a new fuel / transfer / lift pump. Right after the install, immediate starting. That was a week ago Friday. Drove it to work throughout the week and starting began getting longer again. This morning, the second start of the day just about convinced me it was leaving me stranded. this evening I've checked fuel pressure. Pumps up to 14psi, maintains around 12 during cranking then drops to around 10 to 11 while idling. I can't tell any performance drop, miss, rough idle / run or anything once it has started. I welcome any and all input. Thanks in advance.
P.S. During pressure test - 1st try busted right off subsequent attempts were hard starting.
2nd
Thanks for the link J-Body. Been looking around there (meaning here) and haven't found anything specific to my condition. It seems to be temp related. About to post over there(meaning here). First start this morning it busted right off. Had power to intake heater on first start. Tested before trying. After letting warm up good it does not want to start, and no power to the heater even though wait to start light comes on.

HeniFred - See first post. Pump was changed last week and pressure test good.

Hemi_Jack - Filter not changed lately, but pressure test is on the downstream side of the filter. (ie plug closest to the injector pump).

Thanks to all for the responses. Anybody know if the intake heater should always cycle with the wait to start light. Temp here right now is 80's.

Welcome to the board. Sorry that can't help you. If the temp is in the 80's, the wait to start shouldn't be activating.

Put the battery charger on it this afternoon as I had drained them down enough that cranking was slowing. Left to go do a little work at the sister in laws house for her. When I got back around 9:00 P.M. I tried to start it. After about 4 seconds of cranking it fired. Let it run about 5 minutes, temp gauge still at bottom, shut it off, and on restart it busted right off. (ie 1 sec of cranking). This is driving me nuts.[eyecrazy] . I have checked for error codes and have nothing. Odometer stays at mileage. No check engine light, nothing! Except of course it won't start consistently.:mad:

Try this for a bit , on every start just bump the starter and let the pump work for 25 seconds , and then start the truck . see what happens

JohnCA58,
Sometimes seems to help, someteimes not. What's your line of thinking?

it seems your losing your prime in the fuel system , I would fabricate a fuel line made of clear tubing and banjo fittings onthe end and run it from the filter outlet to the VP44 inlet , and in the morning check to see if air in the line or fuel , if there is air and you see air when cranking , then you are sucking air somewhere in the line. but no enough to harm your performance. and when sitting , it lets air in because it is the least resistance,

Whats a good source for the banjo fittings? Clear line?

you can find banjo fittings with barb ends at hose and fitting shop , or they can get them for you .

You wouldn't happen to know what size I need off hand, would you?:D

Another place that you can put a loop of clear line is on the stock line that runs from the filter housing to the VP. That line is joined by a section of rubber. Just remove the stock rubber and put in your clear loop in place of it. Also...if memory serves me you'll want to have two loops that way if it drains back overnight you'll be able to see from which side it goes.

Thanks J-Body, Great tip! I just went out and looked. Your dead on. Now all I need is a piece of clear hose. That's easy. Thanks again!:D

A healthy amount of air in the lines is normal. (Shouldn't be, but it)

I'm willing to bet an Injection Pump is on it's way out.

Whenever I've seen a hard start problem, and only replace the Lift PUmp as a temporary fix, it's usually during the next week, to 2 weeks that the injection pump will completely fail with a no start condition, or a intermittant dead pedal symptom.

Merrick

OK , I reread your starting problem , it is a problem when the engine is hot and your not having a problem at the first start of the day with the engine cold , if it is a hot problem , next time get ice cold water and pour it over the VP44 pump and then start it , I have had many Dodge come in that way , when they find out what the cost is to replace the pump , I will pour the water on the pump and get them started so they can get home or DC dealer to get warranty on the pump. but if that is the problem.... yes you do need a pump normally a air problem is worst from sitting long periods .

Finally got back to the truck this afternoon. Been a busy, busy week. Haven't tried starting it since last Sunday evening. Initial try - about 6 seconds of cranking. No start. Bumped four or five times letting the lift pump run full cycle each time. Pressure just below 14 psi each time. 2nd try - started after about 7 or eight seconds. I then let it idle for about twenty minutes. Next I took a couple of WOT runs from 2nd gear, thru 3rd, and into 4th. Lowest fuel pressure observed was just over 8 psi at WOT. Upon return from the drive I let it idle about a minute then shut it off. Immediately tried restart. 6 to 8 seconds of cranking and no start. Next I began bumping the starter. Fuel pump would only cycle 2 to 3 seconds before pressure would fall back to zero, instead of the 25 seconds. Next start attempt it fired after about 8 seconds of cranking with foot on the floor. Shut it back off, bumped several times again with same cycling as before. Restarted with about 8 seconds of cranking again, this time with foot of the pedal until the last moment. Just as I started mashing it it fired. Temp gauge half way between 140 & 190.

First sorry for the length. Second two questions.
1. Is the short cycling normal for the fuel pump on a warm engine? Pressure gauge is a temp so I don't know the history.
2. If the VP44 is the culprit, what is my best course of action from here?
Thanks so much for your response. A boat load of money is involved here.