Hard start when outside temperatures are above 100 degrees

[Wade White]

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7l hemi. Recently I noticed I have to turn the key over 4 or more times before it will start. It starts with no problem in the mornings and then it sits in the direct sunlight all day. When I try to crank it in the evenings it turns over and over and over and finally fires up. After that it starts as it should. Please help??

 

[Brandon-w]

Battery? Voltage issues do weird things to these trucks I'd get it tested first before anything.

 

[Wade White]

The starter seems to be working properly...could it still be the battery??

 

[Brandon-w]

Definately. I've seen batteries have enough juice to start but in a sense starve the electronics because of the draw the starter. Most parts places test batteries for free.

 

[Wade White]

Is there any way to check the fuel pressure. I didnt see a port for a fuel pressure gauge

 

[Brandon-w]

If I remember correctly. But don't hold me to it. You need the disconnect tool and the short splice with the fuel gauge in it which is inline to be able to check pressure.

 

[Brandon-w]

I don't Beleive these trucks have a Schrader valve.

 

[crash68]

Do you "Tip Start" the truck or hold the key forward till it fires up?
It's possible the fuel pump maybe going or the inlet screen/filter (inside the tank) is plugged up. Do you notice any power loss when driving?

 

[crazykid1994]

Either battery or fuel pressure leak down. These trucks are sensitive to battery voltage. And heat is the biggest killer of batteries. The trucks have a built in fuel pressure sensor. If you have an Android you can get a Bluetooth obd scanner and read fuel pressure. Mine says 57-58 psi fuel rail pressure. I have the obdlink mx scanner. It was 50$

 

[Wade White]

I tip start it

 

[Wade White]

And no power loss...seems like if fuel pressure was leaking down it would leak down over night too... right??

 

[Wade White]

I read that it could be ambient temperature sensor. What yall think??

 

[crazykid1994]

Good point wasn’t thinking about that. Was more thinking the heat could be causing fuel vaporization and leak down but not sure how hot it has to be for that. Not sure about the temp sensor

 

[Wade White]

It's been 103 here since Thursday and and the outside thermometer in my truck says 130 when I leave work

 

[crash68]

If you have an Android you can get a Bluetooth obd scanner and read fuel pressure. Mine says 57-58 psi fuel rail pressure.

I was watching mine today...only it read a little higher... about 15,000 psi :-D

And no power loss...

A buddy had a suburban that did something similar, turned out to be a bad fuel pump and the electrical plug for the pump(truck side). His would periodically go low on power.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2017 Ram 1500 5.7l hemi. Recently I noticed I have to turn the key over 4 or more times before it will start. It starts with no problem in the mornings and then it sits in the direct sunlight all day. When I try to crank it in the evenings it turns over and over and over and finally fires up. After that it starts as it should. Please help??

Hi Wade White,

We certainly understand why this would be concerning. If you're not able to determine a solution based on the suggestions provided here and you decide to address this with your dealer, please let us know via PM. We'd be happy to connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance while your truck is in service.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Tach_tech]

Most common things I see causing this issue are injector leak down or a leaking purge valve.

You can disconnect the purge valve hose from the intake, block off the port on the intake then let it sit for a few hours and try starting it and see if it starts normally. If it does, the purge valve is the issue.

Injector leak down you need fuel pressure gauges to test that.