JMeier

Have you tried to start the truck with the lift pump unplugged? Mine was doing something similar after I installed a new lift pump. I tried to start it one day with the lift pump unplugged and it cranked right up! I wouldn't let it run but just a few seconds to keep from damaging the IP. Come to find out I was told that I probably had a tear in the diaphram of the injector pump. I installed a cutoff switch in the ground of the lift pump for when it doesnt want to start. The truck has been running great since then.

Thanks again for the quick replies. I will install a relay and start saving for a VP-44 :thumbsup

Now it gets interesting. We had a little cold spell, (35*F) and the truck would not start. Does the same as it always does. Rolls over, but will not start! So I think about it for a minute and wonder why I can pull start it but not crank with the starter. The only difference is the lift pump wasnt running on the pull start, so I unplug it and try again. The truck started right up! :confused: This morning it was cold again (around 40*F), so I turn the ignition on and let the pump prime, then unplugged it. The truck started right up! :confused: What could be causing this? The truck runs great, has plenty of power, and never stalls or hesitates. Could too much pressure or volume cause hard starts? Why will it only do this when cold?

jlwelding, it is really that simple. 30 minutes. Although, I have worked on Dodge Power Wagons and farm tractors since i was a kid. :thumbsup But this was a new area, and was very straight foward. Most places that sell the contact kit online have some pretty detailed intsructions that were a great help.

Starter Contacts were slightly worn. hehe :D Hasnt been cold enough lately to see if it fixed the cold start isuuue, but they needed replaced regaurdless! Thanks Mopar1973Man for the quick reply :thumbsup Saved me some money on the starter. Installed the new contacts and plunger in less than 30 minutes with a kit from Larry B's. :thumbsupIMG_0384.JPG[/attachment:2dbpkrcy]

Thanks for the quick replies and the suggestions. I will post again when I try your suggestions.

I have a vintage 2001 24 valve 3500 ram with a 5 speed manual trans. When the temps outside get below 40*F the truck is hard to start. The colder it is the worse it gets. However, if the truck has been plugged in over night, it will start fine. The other evening the truck was cold (about 45*F) and had not been plugged in, so I used my wifes hair dryer in the air box to supply hot air (it worked previously), it tried to, but no start and the batteries ran down trying. So I tried to pull start it. As soon as I let off the clutch in 3rd gear it started! I have tried new batteries and my fuel pressure is 15 psi at idle and 10-13 psi at WOT with a FASS DDRP lift pump. I have tested the fuel and air heaters and they check out fine. I had the codes scanned at Autozone and nothing showed up. I have checked for fuel leaks and cannot find any. The battery voltage will drop from 12.67 to 10.56 while cranking warm or cold. The wierd thing is this only happens when its cold. After the truck starts it runs great and will start fine until the engine gets cold again. It can sit for days in warm weather and will start fine. I would keep it plugged in, but that is not feasible in most places I am parked. Does anyone have any suggestions?

WOW!!! This is a really great site. I am new here and have really enjoyed the discussions I have read. I just started using the 2 cycle engine oil. Hopefully I will see the advantages as well. I will post my results as I can. I have a vintage 2001 ram 3500 24 valve with 3:55 rear gears and a 5 speed. Right now it has 128,000 miles on the odometer. I have been very dissapointed in my fuel milage. It is usually ranges from 12-15 MPG in town and the best I get unloaded on the interstate is 17 MPG. I will try anything to get better MPG. I started with the pennzoil synthetic blend at 1 quart to 35 gallons of fuel. After reading more posts I will probably cut back to 1 pint per 35 gallons. Any advice? I am new to the diesel engines, but have worked with dodge trucks since I was a kid. I really appreciate the help I have gotten so far, especially from Mopar1973Man from other websites.