She won't start after winter storage!
 

My '99 RAM3500, 24v Cummins will not start!!!!!

She has been setting most of the winter. I went to start her yesterday and "no go". She turns over fine but it will not "fire" off and run. She doesn't even attempt to hit. I don't want to keep crankin' on her as I know that is bad on the injector pump. She has never failed to start previously. Any suggestions would be HUGELY appreciated.

- - 1999 Dodge RAM3500 Ext. Cab, 4-wheel drive, auto, all stock - -

You lost yer fuel prime. Bump
Starter so lift pump will run. Do this a few times then try again. If that doesnt work the. Crack injector lines 1,3,4 at the head and bump
Starter agin till fuel
Comes out. Tighten lines and fire it up

Welcome. Thanks for posting in the right forum.

When you bump the starter can you hear the lift pump run? do you have a fuel pressure guage?

Be careful cracking injector lines the fuel is several thousand psi...dont get your hands anywhere near it.

Thanks you for the information.

I listened for the lift pump yesterday and did not hear anything. Is it under-the-hood or in the tank? Does it make enough noise that it should be obvious?

I do not have a fuel pressure gauge.

Any other suggestions, please go for it. I have never had any trouble with the truck so have not had a need to learn to much about it other than to tear down the front hubs, replace the brakes, and keeping the ground connections clean.

you will hear the lift pump run, it is mounted on the drivers side of the block underneath the fuel filter............bumping the starter gives it a 28 second run command, you must turn the key to off then bump again though

You should hear the lift pump but sometimes they are in the tank - it was a half assed chrysler "fix"

Its best to get a fuel pressure guage on it asap.

Are you sire your batteries are good?

Oh yeah. Batteries are hot...it turns over great...just won't start. When you say a fuel pressure gauge, is that to test pressure under-the-hood or to install in the truck to monitor pressure?

You can check it with a fuel pressure gauge and it be best if you get one in your truck too.

You MUST have a guage in the cab. There is no debate or working around this.

I APPRECIATE all the help and info. The lift pump does not appear to be operating. I am going to test it with 12v direct to pump tonight. Is a Delphi replacement a decent pump?

Not really. Even on a truck with no performance modifications, the stock pump is a piece of junk. In addition to the fuel pressure guage its very advisable to get a better lift pump. I dont know how much you know about these trucks but in short the injector pump is lubed and cooled by the fuel. The lift pump supplys the injector pump with fuel. if your lift pump isnt working you starve the injector pump (VP-44) and it can overheat and fail. Therefore its very important to have a good quality lift pump, not the stock piece of junk.

Hopefully this didnt happen to you but its entirely possible. If it did, this will be an expensive lesson.

Do you have a scanner? It would be advisable to scan the truck for codes.

Anything that is similar to the stock lift pump is NOT a good replacement. Trust me I went through a few factory lift pumps before I installed my FASS at just 48,000 miles! You better off getting a FASS or Airdog and saving yourself a lot of headaches down the road with your injector pump

Ok...Is the Airdog Raptor FRRP a decent pump? My biggest concern is dependabilty and my budget is stinking tight right now (I know...not nearly as tight as it will be if I need a new 44). This truck has served me well all these years and I have never had a fuel system problem or a problem with the engine in any way. Corroded connections has been the only problem I have had under-the-hood. Must be my time.

i have a Raptor FRRP, great pump, and real easy to put on. i like mine a lot. no problems at all, perfect for a stock or basically stock pick up. Plus they come with a four year warranty.:tu:

building any oil pressure when cranking

Last night I checked the lift pump one more time. I made sure it was as quiet as possible. Tapped the starter, stuck my head under the hood and I could hear a faint "buzzing" coming from the lift pump. The "buzz" continued for 30 seconds so I knew the pump was getting power and was attempting to run for the 28 seconds. I pulled the inlet banjo bolt from the fuel filter and tapped the starter again, listened to the "buzz", but no fuel ever came out of the line. So am I now safe to assume that the lift pump is trash (evidently more so than it was when new).

Oil pressure when cranking?