1999 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton 24 valve. 170,000 miles

Having problems starting. Took it to the Dodge dealer and after three days they could not find anything wrong with it. They thought it was the lift pump(1st one ever) so I went ahead and put one in myself. After that they wanted me to give them $450.00 to drop the fuel tank and see if it was something there. I told them to go...... well you know.
Still the same problems so it was not the lift pump. There is good pressure in the lines under the hood so that is not it.

I took it to my own mechanic to look at the lines and could not find a leak but said he does smell diesel. But not sure what from.

I can pull start and pop the clutch and it runs fine once it is started. Runs great just like it always has once started.

 

Truck won't start with the starter, truck goes to the dealer, they can't find anything wrong.
Sure all the dodges now need to be pull started. A new safety feature.


This must be an electrical problem. Did you check all the fuses and relays?
Start there and get back to us.

Sorry about the rant.

 

what does it do when you try and start it? does it crank over? ?

 

Yes it cranks just fine, batteries seem to be okay. What happens when the Crank sensor goes out?

 

How about air in fuel line due to the short rubber lines leaking upon shutdown? You are smelling fuel? There is a long history in 12 Valves but do not know about 24 V.

 

Salty,

Check out the It's Back ... Kinda thread. I am having similar problems except I can get mine to start eventually without popping the clutch. The fuel line is a good idea and should show a leak if you have one. Hopefully that's all that is wrong with yours. Good luck, keep us posted.

 

I know nothing about the 24 valve motor, but, could it be some kind of problem with the ignition switch when it is in the CRANK position? If it bump starts right off, then maybe what ever turns the fuel on (like the shutoff on a VE pump) is not getting juice to it when the key is in that position. If it had air in the lines, it seems to me that it wouldn't start right away when pushed. Maybe this is way off, but it's just a thought. Good Luck, Jim

 

2manydogs
That sounds like a great suggestion!

 

Check the neutral safety switch. I don't know about the later models, but on mine, it is a very poor type of connector. It has caused me to get nice clothes dirty a couple times.