I have a 03 SO with 108,000 miles on it. My first thought this morning is that my stock lift pump finally died. The temp droppped to around 50deg F last night (coolist so far this fall) and now my truck wont start. I cycled the key 3 times for any code and also checked for any codes with my smarty. I am not sure how it works but if my lift pump died, wouldn't it show a code? I have not noticed any symptoms of a dying lift pump and when I parked yesterday afternoon, it was running fine. I did notice the cycle time was longer than usual this morning before the wait to start light went out and I can hear the pump running when I turn the key on. I have the heater cord plugged in right now- maybe weak batteries not heating the fuel? Any suggestions are greatly appriciated. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge.

 

Sorry, but I kind of had a panic attack for a few minutes. After leaving the block heater plugged in for about 45 min, it started right up. I know I am on borrowed time with the lift pump, but it looks like I will be replacing the original batteries first.

 

I would not run out and buy batteries. My 03 does the same thing must be plugged in to start when it is cold. Tried the fuel pump was not that tried grid heater not that tried 2 new batteries not that. There has been much disscused about this on this board in the past. See if start problem is only in mornings on initial start.

 

OK, again yesterday morning, my truck would not start with out plugging in the block heater cord for about a hour or so. It starts fine after the initial start. I plugged the block heater up last night. Then this morning, at 6:00am the temp was 34 deg F and it started right up. Are my batteries too weak to heat the fuel or turn the starter fast enough (it sounds a little slow) to start my truck when it is cold out? Should I try to leave it unplugged and see if it will jump start off my wifes car. I load tested both batteries with them disconnected and they appear to be ok. This really has me stumped.

 

Most likely a leaking injector.

MikeyB

 

If it were a leaking injector, wouldn't I have the problem all the time after my truck was parked for a while? I have only had this problem the last few mornings when the temp has dropped below 40. Leaving the block heater plugged in fixes the problem. I just don't want to worry about colder weather coming and hunting in the later afternoon with the colder temps and not having the option of a power source to plug into.

 

A leaking injector with a cold cylinder is actually harder to start. There is a mininum rail pressure needed for proper atomization and if the injector leaks it's below that.

MikeyB

 

Thanks for the info Mikey. I just got home and tried my truck again. It has been parked since about 7:00 this morning. At 3:45 this afternoon, it started right up no problem without the block heater being plugged in. I have to admit, the starter/battery seems to be sluggish. If it is a leaking injector, how is the best way to check for that problem? If I don't plug the block heater in tonight, and it doesn't start in the morning, but I can jump start it with my wifes car does that sound like a battery or charging issue?

 

Jumping from your wifes car will not work . You can try it. The block heater is helping you with the heat for combustion also a fast spin to get the injectors more pressure. I have been plugging mine in for 2 winters now. Only in the winter under 45 or so outside temp. This year i put in synthetic oil and i have not had to plug in so far. Only 39 today it started. I do think it is a leaky injector but it runs perfect all the time and im not spending big for injectors when i can plug in and all is ok.

 

What are some of the other symptoms for a leaking or bad injector other than the hard start issue when it is cold in the mornings? I did a search on here and it looks like a lot of people have white or blue smoke on start up and a rough idle. I am not experiencing any of that. Any other symptoms? Thanks

 

That is the only symptom of the problem . Like i said mine started having a problem at 100k now have 130k always just the no start in the morning under 50. I have to say it is annoying but outside of expensive injectors i have not found a cure except seems to help so far this year with the synthetic oil.

 

I appriciate the information. I will try the syn. next oil change. I am also going to run some injector cleaner through it to see if that helps. I bought some Power Service Diesel Kleen Cetane Boost. Ever heard of it and if so is it safe to use?

 

Power Service is good stuff. Another symptom of a leaking injector is hazing, a light white smoke from the exhaust.

But also don't rule out the batteries. If it's cranking really slow the CP3 isn't turning fast enough to develop the pressure need for the injectors.

MikeyB

 

Okay, here is the latest update. I have not ruled out a leaking injector yet but this has me puzzled. My truck will start every time if I keep the heater plugged in overnight within about 3 seconds. I parked my truck Friday night night, did not plug it in, it sat until about 7:00pm Saturday night and would not start. After about 7 or 8 seconds, it started turning over really slow like I was killing the batteries. I did'nt have time to mess with it so I waited till Sunday around noon to try again. Still unplugged and would not start. Same problem with the batteries sounding like they were real weak after 8- 10 seconds of starting. I borrowed a load tester, disconnected the batteries and both batteries checked real good. Anybody ever had a starter going bad and possibly dragging? I am just puzzled why it sound so weak and the batteries check good. Could not drop below 11 volts on either side using the load tester. After plugging the block heater in for about 45 minutes, it started and then started fine this morning after being plugged in. I don't want to depend on plugging this thing in anytime the temp gets below 50 deg.

 

This afternoon, I found some sort of power board located on the passenger side beside the battery with about 4 or 5 wires going into it. I think two of which tied into the battery on the passenger side. Three of the connections were very loose so I tightened them. While checking the grounds on the frame and the cable going to the starter, I noticed a bolt on the bottom of the fuel filter canister with a line coming out of it. I was wet with fuel and had a drop about to drip off it. I checked it and was able to turn it about a quarter turn. I also noticed a small line returning toward the tank with some type of press together fitting. It also was moist with fuel. I have not noticed any drips or leaks where I park at so is this enough to causing a loss in pressure creating my hard start when the truck is cold?