I tried all of the suggestions above, nothing worked but I just figured it out this morning (I'm a dumba__). The fuel shutoff solenoid!!!! I had my wife turn the key to crank, and the soleniod pulled up, but as soon as she let off the key, it wouldn't hold open. I checked voltage at the wire connector, and the relay, and voltage was good (both the hold terminal and the push terminal). I pulled the solenoid off and the boot was melted to the plunger shaft, so it would pull up when cranking, but it wouldn't hold open when the key was released due to all the gunk on the plunger. I pulled it apart, cleaned the shaft and housing with brake cleaner, re-installed it without a boot, and it starts right up. Easy fix (ordered a boot from Larry's today), just wish I tested the solenoid before replacing the transfer pump ($160). Anyway, anyone out there with a hard start probelm, please read this and learn form my mistakes. It's easy to test the solenoid for operation, and should be one of the 1st things diagnosed if you have a problem with the engine starting.

good job do all years of cummins have the fuel shut off solenoids i have a 01 that did that

Thank's lunk, though I'm not so sure about the "good job" part, I appreciate it anyway. gmlent hit the nail on the head, I just didn't take his advise regarding the fuel solenoid cause I was convinced it was an air leak, dummy me. As far as your 01, I'm not qualified to answer that, but others may chime in. I believe yours is all electronic, and has a different shut off system.

change the ofv, it is prolly bypassing the fuel