Hard starting
 

So I am running into a hard start problem. It does it at random. I try to start my truck and all it will do is turn my starter but not turn over to running. almost like no fuel?. turn my key to off and back to my indication light once it goes off ill try to start again most the time it will start but Iv got a count now of six try's in a row? then it started and idols. hope someone can peace this together sorry if its not understandable hard to explain in short. its a 96 dodge 12valve 163k Thanks for any help guys

Probably the shut off solenoid. There is a solenoid that is bolted to the injection pump on the driver side of the motor. Under it there is a lever that will not pop up when the solenoid starts going bad. Turn the key on but dont crank it, go under the hood and push up on the lever, it should pop up into place, then go back and start it up. If it starts up fine thats probably what it is. Mine did it forever and I had to get under the hood to start it almost every time because I was to cheap to spend the $350 for a new one. That might be your problem, it sounds just like what I delt with.

I just youtubed the shut off solenied and watched a couple vidoes from what the guys on the vidoes say sounds like that could be my issue. Thanks so much for the help and info man. Now $350 oem or just from a parts store? On the one of the vidoes they said Ebay?

Would hard start have anything to do with cold weather? I try to plug in when I can but there are times when I cant on cold nights then I try to start in the morning and it gives me a hard time. but not all the time. like this morning I turn the key starts but then dies. I had to push the gas pedle down to get it to start and stay running "Glow plugs" fuel injecters? I do know cold weather makes diesel fuel jell up But I got a fuel additive in my diesle. just seeing if this is coused by the shut off or another pob. Thanks for the help

Cold weather can make it hard to start. If it's really cold, cycle the key twice (after your "Wait to Start" light goes out). This will run the grid heaters twice (Cummins uses grid heaters, not glow plugs).

Also, it sounds like low idle might be an issue, what is it set at? Also, especially when it's cold, I start my truck with a little throttle (I think Cummins recommends anything below 60 something degrees to do so). See if that helps.

try larryb's for the solenoid

LarryB's Dodge starting problems solved here.

Or just run a manual shutoff for the solenoid...install a choke cable to hold the solenoid up all the way while running, and then pull it to shut the truck off. Never have to worry about the solenoid again, and it's a cheap solution-10 bucks and a little elbow grease.