I just got my truck figured out now a friend of mine needs help then truck is a 1999, 2500 with a five speed. It cranks and cranks it gets fuel at the injector lines up top but it still won't start after it sit's for about a half an hour after it was running. The battery's in this truck are the factory ones. it does not show any codes and he replaced the crankshaft postion sensor a couple of month's ago. Could the batterys and connections be the cause of the hard starts. Thank you i'm running out of ideas for him.

 

I'm no expert, but I've been told if there isn't enough voltage for the ECM, it will not tell the injectors to open thus, no fuel. I don't know if this is also for your friend's '99.

Run a volt meter across the terminals of the battery as your buddy is cranking away. I'll try to look up minimum voltage and post it if I find it.

Five years is about the limit for a battery anyway. Probably should jump start his and send him down for new ones.

 

I do believe a weak battery could prevent starting, because it has happened to me before. I think the ECM is getting enough voltage if the battery is able to turn the motor over. The thing is designed to run when the grid heaters come on and the voltages drop down. If the grid heaters arent being activated, I don't think the ECM is to blame.

 

The usual cause of hard starting when you know there is fuel to the injectors is that the timing port or delivery valve on the injection pump has stuck or worn enough to allow pressure to bleed off. What happens is the injection pressure is too low to pop the injectors.

If the fuel is really blasting out of the injector line where you cracked it, then it should start. If it is just dribbling, the pump is history.

 

I just talked with him and he doesn't want to spend 1,400 bucks on this thing with winter just around the corner. I offered to loan it to him but he would not take it so I was trying to find a used one on ebay, sometimes they have some on there really reasonable when I came across a "rebuild kit" http://cgi.ebay.com/VP44-VP-44-Dodge...QQcmdZViewItem Would it work for him or don't even waste my time on it unless he has a new pump sitting there ready to go in.

 

i would try new batteries.

 

Batteries should be fine if it cranks that long.
Don't think it's cold enough yet to require the grid heaters.
Must be not enough diesel making into the cylinders...

 

Quote from ebay add: "This kit does not come with instructions." Sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

I would test the batteries with a voltmeter. See what you have sitting still, then see what you have while cranking. Your voltage may be dropping too low during the start cycle.

IF you replace the batteries, do so in pairs. An old battery will kill a new battery very fast, and when it's done, you end up buying 3 batteries instead of two.

 

if you have the room try pushing or pulling it, and see if it will start. Be sure the keys on