The batts are original but it turns over just fine, not weak at all. Even after cycling the heater 2 or 3 times it still takes a while to fire. It trys to fire right away but wont go ahead and run. Act just like a cold start with new batts and no intake heater and lots of smoke. Its done this since I got it back in june 07, so for 3 winters now I have been fighting this. Plugging it in was never a concern when i was renting and didn't have to pay the electric bill. Now that I own a house and have to pay the bills its frustrating.

 

Down to: weak injectors, weak VP44, crappy fuel, bad fuel pump.

 

i 2nd that wildbill

 

what about your glow plugs. mine went out and the truck would start just fine until temp would get below about thirty

 

Umm cummins dont have glow plugs

 

i was gonna say i didnt think thay had them either like ford and d-max they get there ignition of comprestion friction

 

I hope they don't have glow plugs cause then I may have the wrong engine! No but seriously wildbill is right. If you have the FASS you wont have problems getting fuel to the IP which means its something in between since you ruled out batteries and starter. I am going to be real honest and say that you should have it checked out or start replacing the cheapest part that you can afford first, but that being said, don't get a new VP or injectors unless you need them. But I go out at 25 degrees in the morning and mine starts just fine so you are probably having a lack of fuel from something.

 

maybe you had a Ford but were talking cummins

Id be leaning on the injectors or the vp
Iv got an alternater with some bad diodes and so the batt's are taking a bit of a hit for now. and it ben around 10 to -5 this week and mine has fired like normal with or with out it pluged in

 

Wow. I would go nuts if I had to plug mine in to make smoke in 30 degree weather! I go to -5 before I worry about plugging in.
Something I haven't seen mentioned here, is have you checked for a leak in the fuel line?
If you are getting a slow leak...
Wouldn't be so hard to start in the summer, but a in the winter when things are thick and grumpy.

 

The VP is a scheid lightning pump and was put on june last year. The injectors were put in this summer. And yes it did this when it was still bone stock, made no diff replacing the entire fuel system. It trys to fire almost as soon as soon as you hit the starter. just won't go ahead and run.