03 Dodge diesel starting problem?

Question

Randomly about once a week it takes 6-8 seconds of turning over to start. Doesn't necessarily happen after sitting for a while - once it happened after sitting for 1/2 hour. I always turn the key and wait for it to warm before cranking. Last night it didn't start all all (first time this has happened). This morning it started right up!?

Answer 1

Have you drained the fuel water separator recently? When was the last time the fuel filter was changed?

You can check the lift pump to see if its working alright by taking a short piece of water hose and sliding it over the fuel filter drain hose. Then stick the water hose into an empty 2 liter bottle.

Bump the starter and the lift pump should run for about 25 seconds. In the mean time you should fill the 2 liter about halfway.

If it is the lift pump you will be much better off with an aftermarket unit. The intank pump that Dodge will replace yours with is prone to failure as well.

I suggest Glacier Diesel if you have to get a pump. It will be cheaper than the Dodge replacement (unless you're still under warranty), its better quality, easier to install (you wont have to drop the tank) and if it ever fails the pump will only run about $120. Check www.glacierdieselpower.com

Please check the thread below and the post from "justcampin" it seems some 03's have had problems with the common rail pressure relief valve opening.

The second thread mentions some 03's having injector problems. I hope this isn't the case! In every case where there is even a thought of it being injector problems its a good suggestion to try a good dose of injector cleaner. I recommend Power Service.

Poor fuel filtration was a problem from the beginning with the high pressure common rail design from Cummins. From 03 up until 06 all trucks came from the factory with a 10 micron filter when Bosch recommends 3 micron or better filtration. Starting in 06 Cummins supplied the trucks with a Fleetguard 7 micron filter.

To do better than this you have a couple options. One is to install a Baldwin 5 micron filter in the stock canister. The Baldwin filters number is 7977. It filters 2 micron nominal/5 micron absolute @ 98.75% efficiency.

The other is to install a 2 micron absolute filter kit from Glacier Diesel.

You can check for any codes by turning the ignition on and off 3 times leaving it on the 3rd time. Any codes will be displayed at the odometer. Write them down and do a search on www.dieseltruckresource.com

Hope this helps.

You may want to go over to www.dieseltruckresource.com, register so you can post to the forums (its free, just like Yahoo answers) and ask away. I'm on the site and usually post daily.

Answer 2

Dodge has a new fuel pump kit that goes inside the tank and replaces the troublesome lift pump fastened to the side of the block. These block mounted lift pumps have always been troublesome and can very well cause this problem AND can cause the injector pump to fail. And injector pumps are a lot more expensive than the kit.

Answer 3

Hmmmm, i'm no longer TOO useful approximately Diesels (have not labored on them lots). yet is there a gas pump relay, or some thing electric that may not be working? consistent with danger loose connection?

Answer 4

it could be a bad transfer pump or injection pump. there's a technical service bulletin on exactly this problem, check with your local dodge dealership. a fuel pump module is installed and the transfer pump is removed. it's kinda expensive though
but you can do the simple stuff first like checking battery and connections at the battery

Answer 5

you may need to change the fuel filter on it they have to be changed more often than a gas engine,other than that it can be anything causing this from a fuel pump to an electrical problem,have the computer scanned on it its free,and it may give you a trouble code to work with,that will help you if it will,also check the water separator ,those need to be cleaned often too,good luck.

Answer 6

check the relay that controls the heaters...