Engine wouldn't turn over

[drscott]

This may be a simple question but the service manager at the Dodge dealership could not give me an explanation that satisfied me - maybe one of you know the answer. I had my new used truck for a week. It is an all stock (as far as I can tell) 2006 2500 4x4 crew cab 5.9 with 167,000 miles on it. While driving on the interstate 75 miles south of Dallas the check engine light came on. Tried to limp home to Dallas but when I had to come to a complete stop in traffic the engine died. Got it towed home. Engine compartment and underside of the truck was soaked in diesel due to an obvious break in the #4 injector line. At this point the engine would not turn over at all - the starter would just click. Tested the batteries and they were good but tried jumping it anyway and still would not turn over. This had me very worried that I had done more damage since it wouldn't turn over. A friend of a friend told me all kinds of horror stories about hydralocking and bent rods. Let is sit overnight and still would not turn over. Had it towed to dealership and they replaced the injector line and got it started. They gave it what they called a thourough road test and could not find anything else wrong. So I go to pick up the truck and ask the service manager why it would not turn over - he said there must be a sensor that could tell the pressure was not up in the common rail so it wouldn't turn over. This does not make sense to me since the pressure in the common rail can't go up until the engine turns over to spin the high pressure engine driven fuel pump. It should have turned over but not fired unless I totally misunderstand the workings of this engine. Can anyone shed some light on this and educate me?thanks,Scott

[AH64ID]

I would guess you had diesel on a connector and it was inhibiting the electrical signal. Your presumption about pressure and cranking is correct.

[drscott]

Thanks for confirming what I thought about the fuel pressure. I really should have tried to speak with the actual mechanic who could have told me a lot more than the service manager did. That is why I take my gasoline vehicles to a small local shop when I have repairs I can't do myself - I talk directly to the guy doing the work who I have built a trusted relationship with.

[flagmanruss]

I had my truck towed to the dealership & was charged for pulling the codes. The Service Manager told me it was a failed fuel pump & a $1200 repair for the in tank pump, which I refused. The dealership was unwilling to install an aftermarket lift pump. I paid the diagnotic charge & the Service Manager told me there were no codes. (Service Manager lied.) I had the truck moved to a Diesel shop who read the codes (gave me the list), found a wiring fault & started the truck on the OEM lift pump. I decided to go ahead & install the draw straw, big line, AD150.

[Mopar1973Man]

I would say the diesel fuel that sprayed all over must of got something wet connection wise or something else came loose and prevented the starter from turning.