I have a 98 D3500 witha 24 v Cummins in it. I went to fuel last night low on fuel, filled up and went to leave, won't start. So I push it outta the way and get out the owners manual,looks like there is a primer plunger on the side of one of the pumps next to the block, at least in the book. I look all over the place. Nuther Dodge comes over to offer assistance, his 92 Cummins has a lever on it. Yes the lift pump sounds like it is runnin and suckin some air a bit. loosened the #1 injector no fuel, the #3 injector bubbly fuel and #4 is wet. Now the book says "don't continue to crank the engine on a no start situation as engine damage will occur" So I turn it over a few revolutions each time.On the fuel filter canister there is a yellow lever that says open and close, what does that do? Jack T was nice enough to e-mail me this a.m. and mention about cracking the bleeder or one of the fittings on this. which one??. I think there are 2 plugs on top of there.

 

The 24v does not have a primer lever- it's all electronic. The lift pump may be running and but not pumping. I would do a pressure test using the test ports on top of the fuel filter canister. Even if it won't start just by turning the key to the "on" position or bumping the starter it should show pressure. My gut feeling is that you have a weak lift pump and maybe a bad injector pump.

Where are you in Az? I will be in Glendale from Sat to Monday and have a portable pressure test gauge.

copenhagenjunkie

 

Good spot to mention , If your low on fuel , or really any time you fuel up , Turn the truck off!!! if theres any junk in the tank it has a possibility (dont think i spelled that right) to suck the junk up in the filter. I learned after about my 5th fuel filter....

Could you have got some water or some bad fuel? Always buy fuel where the local big trucks buy fuel

 

Thx Guys... I'll post after I get home and try a few of the suggestions from the dodge dealer and this board... Thx for the input... hopefully I will be able to return the favor someday... Jeff.... West Phx... 99th ave and Camelback....

 

YAY!! .. got home and turned the key on and bumped the starter and let the pump run with throttle WFO, 3 times for about 20/25 sec.. then let it set fer a few... put throttle WFO again and cranked fer 20 seconds... ahh.. some life.. but no start.. did that a few more times and TADA... on the fifth time.. IT LIVES.. HAHAHA... Thx for yer help guys.. hope this helps someone else out.. Peace.... Jeff