I was told to come over here and post my question from another forumn.

I just found out a possible issue with my truck. Here is the history:

Model: 2004.5 Dodge 3500 CDT Comman Rail, 2WD. Bone stock, no mods

I placed my truck in "storage" outside starting October 2009. Before it was put in storage, I ran about 2 tankfulls of fuel with the Rotatella fuel Stabilization through the system. Also, I topped off the tank with the same fuel stabil all the way to the neck. I did this of course to cut down on water contamination during its sit time.

I had a strong feeling the batteries where close to the end of life at this time. Before putting it in storage, truck started, ran fine. no issues. The "Caretaker" was able to start and run the truck on a Bi-monthly basis. The truck was also taken out and ran for a good 50 miles one time(as so they say) in Feb 2010. Around April time frame, the batteries lost all life and my Check Engine light now comes on after they jump start it. So in April 2010 they quit trying to start it and run the truck. It was took in and the CL code was a low battery condition of course. So the truck has REALLY been sitten this entire time.

As of this past month, The engine will only turn over but not fire while trying to jump start it. I know I have to show up with two brand new batteries to start with. Now im thinking of bringing a fuel filter and doing that on location.

What else should I look at? What should I start planning for?

Oh yea, I just found out that both of the batteries are Dead. . Dead. Nothing.

Guidence, help.

 

Welcome.

I think youre on the right track. 2 fresh batteries and fuel filter and also a OBDII code reader. There shouldnt be too much wrong with it if its just sat.

Good luck.

 

Shoot it with a LITTLE eather and see if it starts and stays running. If so there's a good chance you have fuel injector problems. What can and does happen with these trucks is while cranking the ECM needs to see a minimum of 1800psi before it will electronicly fire the injectors. If an injector is leaking while cranking it might not hit that spec. If you hit it with a little eather it causes it to spin over faster thus the cp3 can build more pressure.

 

Thanks for that info. That 1800 PSI thing makes sense to me since the ECM probably isn't getting enough voltage. I did read and found out about the minimum requirement of like 9.6 volts?

And thanks for welcoming me here.

 

Replace dead batteries first. Check all ignition fuses. Usually 2-3 .Turn key on but don't crankover engine. Listen if can here sounds coming from engine compartment indicating that engine computer is running self test. Should hear repetative clicking sounds from engine. If so check to see that fuel tank pump cycles on when key is turned on. If so, cycle key on and off, each time waiting for pump to stop before turning key off. This will refill low pressure side of fuel system if it has bleed down. Do Not use either as most people give to much causing engine to knock by predetination. This will cause engine damage. If none of this helps, you may have lost the SENTRY key codes in ECM memory. Or you may have a failed key reader module in steering colum. Good luck, hope this helps.

 

She started right up!

I replaced both batteries with Interstate jobbers. I did notice one wire coming off the hot end going to what looks similar to a coil pak of some sort. The connection was broken. So I had to cut off the bad one and resplice two brand new ones. These wires are off the passenger side battery. Hooked it all up and she fired right up no problems.

I then took it down to a local small auto shop to get the ECM scanned to make sure all is good. (My Check Engine light was on). All that came up was low voltage, and no charge. But all is fine. He cleared the codes and I drove it all day with no problems. I do have a new fuel filter I will get that changed out later. All my tools are still in storage.

So today was a excellent day for day one. Tomorrow I get my keys to my house and start moving in. Hopefully by the end of the weekend, I will have my jeep started and out of storage as well. I got a busy weekend ahead of me.

thanks everyone

 

Thats cool Man! I've got marine diesel exp. and have went thru the same deal repeatedly for rich folks that pay someone else to commision their boats each year. Its a good feeling indeed to be up+running.
You might want to put some type of biokill in the tank for safe measure.

 

whats this "biokill" stuff? I treated my fuel with Rottatilla stabil when I put it in storage. I also had the fuel topped off to the cap. I did this to cut down on contaminates. This is not my first time dealing with storing a CTD. Just a first time storing a newer model. Old model was a 1998 24V CTD. It was still full as of today.

 

Stabil is a good product.