hello my 2003 reg cab ram wont start when its cold without pluging in. when i say cold that is any thing less than 30 deg. once it is started for the day it will run but if you shut it off for 6 hours or more it wont start. the dealer out a intake heater grid in and that didnt do a thing. any othe sugestions would be great.


Thanks nate

2003 reg cab stock with 4:10 plow

 

Could not understand if you put in a new heater grid or not. Anyway, if you did and it still does not start, make sure you are getting power to the grid.

 

yes it has a new grid and the dealer has checked it 3 times and said it is working properly. thanks

 

Make sure that the dealer checked out your wiring, relay, ECM, etc. everything that tells the grid when to turn on and off when cold. Has dealer verified that the grid is getting hot (after sitting out in the cold)? If they had your truck inside & started it next morning, it would start because teh grid does not even come on until the temps drop to 50F or so. The grid would also check out as OK because it's not supposed to turn on.

 

i just brought it in and they were going to put a lift pump in it beacuse that has not been updated yet but i will tell them to look at the wiring,relay, ecm.

thanks

 

Just for my info and just in case it is the lift pump, how many miles you got on that truck?

 

i went to start it this morning it is 17 out and it wouldent start with the new pump, so it will be back in today they said thy have replaced the relay for the heater grid. i have 55000 on it.

 

Green, that is goofy. They know full well if the grid is working or not, a first month apprentice Tech. can read a VOM.

I'm not that fluent on a CR Cummins, but the basic engine is exactly the same as my 12V, and I sure as heck do not have a working grid and do not plug in until it gets at the earliest in the teens. Yes, it does the 3 cyl idle for 3-4 seconds, but it fires.

When you try and start it, have you tried giving it just a crack of the throttle?

I also assume you have clean filters, etc?

 

I would still be looking into the grid heater. I had a similar problem with a '97. It ended up being the grind heater and when they replaced it I had no other problems. It could be something else put if it only happens when it is cold I would lean towards the grid heater.

 

Well, at least you dont have to worry about your LP. Keep us posted.

 

after thery had the truck all day fri and sat the grid works but the truck wont start at all know even with it in the dealer i think it might be the fuel pressure maby a leaky injector? or high pressure pump?

 

I have a 01 had same problem last winter . Found that lift pump wasnt working,replaced it and still had same problem. Tried everything under the sun .Ended up replacing the main pump. Problems were gone and starts in any weather now.