12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Talk about the 12V engine and drivetrain here. This is for 1994-1998.5 engine and drivetrain discussion only.

starting problem, 97

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Old 03-18-2005 | 08:42 AM
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starting problem, 97

i have been having a starting problem that i could not find in the search. about once a month or every 6 weeks or so, the truck cranks but will not fire. i usually have to cycle the grid heaters a few times and wait a couple minutes then she fires up and runs as normal. last night the same thing happened, but she wouldnt fire. i tried the grid heaters several times, waited 2 minutes, waited 5 minutes, tried some gas, then shut it down and called my brother while i waited for a ride. temp was probably 30-40 degrees out. 1/2+ tank of fuel. after doing nothing for 20 minutes, the truck fired up and then ran as normal and got me home. plugged her in last night and this morning no start. it cranks just fne, just doesnt fire. typically when this happens, after a couple times of reluctant starting the problem dissapears for 6 weeks or so. this is my first diesel, and was wondering if anyone had any opinions before i take it in. something like a fuel filter? starting injector or something? thanks in advance. btw, truck has 124000 on it....TIA-brad
Old 03-18-2005 | 10:24 AM
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My bet is the fuel shutoff solenoid isn't lifting up. Next time it does it leave the key in the run position and maually lift the shutdown lever up, it should stay up. The problem is very rarely the solenoid itself but rather the blue wire (fusiable link) coming off the driver's side battery is corroded or the relay on the firewall is shot. Buy a new shutdown relay here http://www.fostertruck.com/dodge/default.htm
You can drive it in meantime by lifting up on the shutdown solenoid.

Old 03-18-2005 | 10:27 AM
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I think we have the same problum, but mine's a 94 , my 1st impression was it seemed like it lost its prime, sometimes the prob. would last for 1-2 start try's sometimes 6 , when it lasted longer I would get out and look for aswers , pump the liftpump by hand that seemed to work then the the next was that it seemed to happen when the tank was 1/4 or less but that hasn'nt happened now for a few weeks , I have posted here a few times and had a # of replies , some I looked at like the fuel lines to and from the tank had a rep. for going bad , and hard to get at , but looked ok,that includes the metal ones attached at the pump and all the way back to the tank. that might help, I am going to watch your post and lool for more possabilties.
Old 03-18-2005 | 10:42 AM
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From: Montana
John, if it cranks and cranks then finally starts and fuel level makes a difference the problem is air getting into the system, most likely from the hoses located to the rear of the engine. BRB's symptoms are different.
They can suck air without leaking fuel and will fail on 100% of 12 valves eventually. You can buy high quality replacement hoses form the source I linked to above, don't use gasoline hose, it wont last long.
The hose that usually fails is the one behind the fuel filter in the above picture.
Old 03-18-2005 | 11:06 AM
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Thanks for the reply, a little more info , the problum has been to intermitent to confrim to put parts in yet , the fuel level was a guess but also hasn'nt happened the last 3 times I ran it low to try and confirm, I have looked at the hoses and they do look newer than the truck, also last owner put in new fuel shutoff, I 'll take look at the electrical , have new batteries with battery spray protectant . More info, I'm not reading were the symtoms are differant , thanks again.
Old 03-18-2005 | 02:47 PM
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I agree, it sounds like fuel shutdown sol. Infidel's instructions are right on the mark.
Old 03-18-2005 | 02:56 PM
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From: Montana
Originally posted by John Faughn
More info, I'm not reading were the symtoms are differant , thanks again.
You are cranking and cranking to get it to start where BRB is cranking then shuting it off several times to get it to start. You're cranking to purge air from the system while BRB is switching on and off to restore a bad electrical connection.
Old 03-18-2005 | 08:05 PM
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guys, thanks for the replies. i did mess with the wires to the solenoid, seems like there was a bad connection. it starts fine now. in the am i'll look more closely and fix/repair the problem areas. thanks again, yall are awesome, and every day i learn more about my truck...brad
Old 03-19-2005 | 10:19 AM
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While your there check the blue wire on the + post of the D-side battery. That's the fuseable link to the shutoff solenoid. I've had relay probs in the past that did the same thing, and I've had probs with that wire becoming coroaded (sp its to early )
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