Starting Problem - Updated

[ktm1217]

Hey guys! I noticed theres a few more of you out there with the same starting problem ive been dealing with for months now. Id love to find out what the issue is and how to fix it, so any suggestions/ideas/experience with this problem would be great!

For those of you dealing with it, let me just say that Ive the problem since about February 2011 when i bought the truck. Since then, ive replaced the fuel pump, filler neck, rear O2 sensor, plugs, wires, cap, and rotor. Still have the problem.

A few weeks ago, i began to actually notice that as the truck is turning over and tryin to start, the "check gages" light comes on on the dash and chimes once. I noticed the volts are down at like 10ish, but the truck turns over at normal speed and doesnt drag as if the batterys low or dead. Once the truck finally starts up, the light goes out and the volts begin to go up to their normal spot. I also sometimes notice a faint smell of fuel as it starts, but that doesnt happen all the time.

Any ideas or anything would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance guys!

 

[iSlacker816]

Hmmmm, that is odd!

 

[suzukiquadrider]

check fuel regulator, mine took 2-3 key turns to fire up, a fuel regulator fixed the problem.

 

[ktm1217]

wheres the regulator located? on the fuel rail? and ive even tried turning the key on and off several times and still didnt notice a difference in how easily it started...it still started hard.

 

[jojo750]

ignition switch????

i know on the chevy ssr's, this thing causes tons of problems.

 

[Badger]

I had a slow leak in my fuel return line. Fixed that and the problem went away.it would only drip a few drops of fuel only after I shut the truck off. So little I barely noticed till I was under it one day and actually saw the drip. Run your truck for a half hour, shut it off and check for any leaks. I was losing fuel pressure through the pin hole.

 

[ktm1217]

I tried runnin the truck and checkin for leaks...didnt see anything. Im thinkin about either doin the injector O-rings, IAC, or the Crank Sensor..? I think the O-rings is gonna be my first guess though.

 

[Badger]

Go with o rings first, they're cheap

 

[ktm1217]

Go with o rings first, they're cheap

]
Yep i think thats what im gonna do first and see what happens. I might also stop by the local dodge dealer and see if they know what the problem is, im sure they get a few second gens with the same issue..

 

[ktm1217]

Just went down to Dodge and they said its most likely the crank positioning sensor, i got a quote for 114, then went to advance and picked it up for 79.99. Im gonna replace that today and see what happens, ill keep you guys updated!

 

[ktm1217]

Heres a pic of the trucks gauges as im crankin it over. Ignore the low fuel light and brake light lol but the red light to the left under the speedo is the "check gages" and as you can see the gauges are all normal except the volts. they then slowly rise up to like 14.5-15 a few seconds after the truck is running...

 

[Mopar1973Man]

So you got either a weak battery or bad battery cables... I would load test the battery and go from there...

 

[ktm1217]

So you got either a weak battery or bad battery cables... I would load test the battery and go from there...

idk though, the starter spins real nice when its crankin over, it doesnt have any drag to it or sound weak at all...i dont understand why the volts do that. i guess i could always try cleanin the ends of the cables..? i know the terminals on the battery are clean bc i just did them not too long ago.

 

[Mopar1973Man]

idk though, the starter spins real nice when its crankin over, it doesnt have any drag to it or sound weak at all...i dont understand why the volts do that. i guess i could always try cleanin the ends of the cables..? i know the terminals on the battery are clean bc i just did them not too long ago.

How about doing a voltage drop test and be sure the cable are not damaged... I've seen it plenty of times where cable/wires get corroded internally and breakdown some what. The cable appears fine on the outside but inside its completely rotten.

Mopar1973Man's Dodge Cummins Articles - Voltage drop testing of wiring and feed cables

 

[ktm1217]

How about doing a voltage drop test and be sure the cable are not damaged... I've seen it plenty of times where cable/wires get corroded internally and breakdown some what. The cable appears fine on the outside but inside its completely rotten.

Mopar1973Man's Dodge Cummins Articles - Voltage drop testing of wiring and feed cables

I guess ill give that a shot too. I go back to school on the 2nd, so ill talk to my shop teacher about bringin it in and playin around with it then maybe. Id love to figure out this problem though lol its drivin me nuts!

 

[bannerman]

Did you ever pinpoint the problem, b/c I have the exact same issue as you do! My truck is a 1995 1500 with a 360 and for the last two years, this has happened to me. No one I've talked to has any suggestions except O-rings or fuel pump. The fuel pump is relatively new < 2 yrs old. I

 

[Hotroder383]

Ok I seen in your first post you replaced the second O2 sensor, correct me if I am wrong but I have always been told the only job this one dose is tell the comp that the cat is still working, i.e. too much fuel goin out tailpipe change cat.
Now as for the volts, I'd go another route, if it is turning over the bat would be fine along with the cables. Sounds to me like your alt is givin you trouble. Take it off and have it tested at a good parts store, on my 96 its the belt, 2 bolts and 4 nuts to remove.

 

[ktm1217]

Did you ever pinpoint the problem, b/c I have the exact same issue as you do! My truck is a 1995 1500 with a 360 and for the last two years, this has happened to me. No one I've talked to has any suggestions except O-rings or fuel pump. The fuel pump is relatively new < 2 yrs old. I

Well, so far ive replaced the crank sensor, fuel pump, 2nd O2 sensor, and still have the problem. I brought it into my shop class one day in school and hooked up the fuel pressure gauge to it. The two second prime of the fuel pump when you turn the key on brought the fuel pressure up to 50psi, then it slowly bled down to 0. With it runnin, fuel pressure was pretty consistent at 48psi. the next thing im replacin is the fuel pressure regulator and i think that should fix it. It is a common problem with these trucks though.

 

[PdPuNOme]

have you had any issues where the truck shuts off randomly while driving?

 

[ktm1217]

have you had any issues where the truck shuts off randomly while driving?

Actually i had that happen to me like twice. Both times it happened i was makin a turn in an intersection and in like the middle of the turn it would just die. But knock on wood, it hasnt happened at all lately and the last time it happened was prob back in november or so. I also just replaced the fuel pressure regulator too, still no difference in starting. Maybe the fuel rail is shot...? idk lol