I recently purchased this 03 Dodge Ram Cummins 2500 4x4 with 102,000 mi. It was sold to me as is with a few issues, one was a cold start problem. I was told the dealership said it just needed a lift pump. I changed the pump, didn't help at all. At that time once the truck was running, after spraying wd-40 or starting fluid into air cleaner, it ran perfect, and would start fine until it sat for many hours. I spoke with Tech's at dealership and Cummins and they all said it was odd check engine light was not on.
At this point I unhooked a aftermarket "chip " that was plugged into the harness on the fuel rail. (Previous owner had told me about it, he had added it to up horse power for pulling his 5th wheel). Now the truck had the same problem but the check engine light was on. So I brought it in to a different dealership in my area. They cleared some codes and changed the FCA. It ran good for part of a week and then failed to start when cold one day. I made an appointment for service work at the dealership to have it checked. In the meantime it was fine for several days. Took it in dealership found nothing wrong.
About a week later I pulled my boat to the lake with it for 4th July weekend about 60mi. round trip. While there it failed to start as normal. If I cycled the key a few times sometimes it would help. Or stepping on the gas helped on occasion. When I got almost home, it completely died while on the road. Managed to get it to the house and put the boat away.

Did try one thing ....pulled the low pressure fuel feed line off pre the FCA ran a aux fuel line from a can of diesel didn't change a thing...hard to start....dies our irregularly............makes me sick...I know it's a great truck ... like to fix my own trucks...dealership is 50mi. away and don't really want to go there anyway.


I haven't tried much for alternative fuel with this truck, I'm just running about B30 30% homemade biodiesel

any suggestions what I can try next?

 

Moved post to proper forum

 

Sounds like maybe a bad injector(s). When the truck sits, they bleed-off pressure, making the truck near imposable to start. Check the crank-case oil level and smell the oil for presence of fuel. Also been told a way to check for a bad injector is: with the trans in park or N, bring the engine RPM's up to 3000 then release the pedal. If it takes 5 seconds or longer for the engine to return to idle speed, you have a sticking injector.

One last thing, you should NEVER use ether (starting fluid) on a Cummins Dodge. These engines use a heater grid (think inside of a toaster) inside the intake / head to warm the air for cold starts, not glow plugs. If the wires of that grid are glowing when you hit it with starting fluid, things go BOOM and can take out your intercooler, intercooler boots, intake horn, air filter assembly and possibly burn you up in the process.

 

thanks for the suggestions. I'll try the rpm test.

How's your truck been, have you had it long? Happy with it?

 

Bought it back in June of 2004 with 58 miles on it. Got 93,000 on it now. Other than an appetite for u-joints, which was cured by replacing them all with Federal-Mogul "Super Strength" GREASABLE joints, it's been a great truck! I had to put ball joints in it a few months ago. Still on the original wheel front wheel hub bearings (knock on wood) and thanks to the Jake Brake I installed when I first bought the truck, I'm still on the original wheel brakes, though the rotors are getting a bit thin.

03 and early 04 Cummins engines are known for losing injectors, especially since the introduction of ULSD fuel. The lack of lubricity of the new fuel is thought to be the main culprit, though fuel filter neglect is also a big contributor. Using an additive that increases the lubricating properties of ULSD (i use PowerService) and being sure to keep up with the fuel filter changes (every 15,000 miles) goes a long way toward keeping your injectors happy.

 

What have you about biodiesel in the cummins?
I have heard to helps with the lack of sulfur in the new fuel?
I know it's been good in older diesels I have had....96 cummins
thanks for the info

Have you updated the lift pump on yours?...

I'm thinking of going with the air dog pump system when I can get $$$$
Do you think there is a need for that..?...I have put a new lift pump on recently, but they seem to have a poor reputatin do you think I'm being pessimistic..?..

 

Still running the stock lift pump. It's not really enough to keep up with my fuel demands with everything cranked up to 11, but it does fine for everyday driving. When it takes a dump, there'll be an Air Dog going on.

 

Picked up my truck from the dealership today.
They retorqued injector connector tubes, and fixed a wiring connection at the FCA.

Running great now. (:
Just in time to go camping on Lake Superior this weekend.. !!!

I had read an earlier "thread" of a similar problem the retorque of the injector tubes fixed, so i mentiioned to the mechanic at the shop.....really appreciate help from this web site!!!