96 Dodge Ram 1500, 170k miles. Obviously its on its last legs, but I need it to get me through college. Figure BBR would know but its probably something generally most mechanics know. Over the past 6 or 7 months it seems to take progressively longer to crank, not turning over. The batts new and it turns over like a champ, but cranking takes a good 2 or 3 seconds instead of almost immediately like it did before, which hasn't been a major issue til now. Earlier it took about 2 or 3 tries to get it running, altogether maybe 10 or 15 seconds. Ran fine after I got it cranked. I don't want it to fail on me when I really need it, so I wanna take care of it before it fucks me over. Heard from family its fuel system, particularly pumps. I know theres no fuel filter other than the 'sock' in the tank, could the fuel pump be shittin on me or do I need to just drop the tank and replace/clean out the sock?

9/21/2007 9:47:41 PM

sounds like you're getting a drop in the fuel pressure when it sits. could be the pump taking a while to build enough pressure also.

does it do it on hot starts? i.e., you stop at a store for a few minutes then restart it?

could be a few other things also, but i'd start with checking the fuel pressure.

9/21/2007 10:03:37 PM

hot starts and cold starts are about the same crank time, this last time when it took forever I had the key in the on position for approx 20-30 minutes, ready to crank, not just accessory/radio on. I dunno if that could have done anything but it seems that might have given it enough time to let the fuel pressure go down. If anything I think the hot starts might be a little faster but nothing real noticable.

9/21/2007 10:12:04 PM

try turning the key to the "on" position for about 5 seconds before cranking it. let us know if that helps any.

9/22/2007 9:17:49 AM

nah, let it sit overnight, turned it to on position, all the bells and whistles booted up, and heard the fuel pump prime for approx. a second like normal. It took the normal start up time, like a few seconds of turning over, and cranked up fine. When I got where I was going, shut it off, I toggled the ignition on and off and heard the pump prime both times before starting it twice in a row, one after the other, no problems. Looking for it now, hot starts are definitely quicker, almost immediate.

If it can stay consistent I dont mind, but that last time when I thought it would never crank up worried me about any upcoming problem(s). Sorta like when I started hearing a squeeking leaving from work, thought it was just the belt slipping and by the time I got home, half the coolant was pouring through where the water pump bearings used to be.

[Edited on September 22, 2007 at 11:29 AM. Reason : .]

9/22/2007 11:26:27 AM

it's a ram. it will last forever. mine had 215k on it when i sold it. original everything but clutch etc. shit was awesome. mine started first try all the time tho. altho the fuel pump whined the a bitch... 'DATS HOW U KNOW ITS WERKIN'

i beat the shit outta it one tire fired everywhere.

i WILL own another one day

9/22/2007 9:17:38 PM

Quote :

"Looking for it now, hot starts are definitely quicker, almost immediate."

thought they might be.

based on that, i'm still thinking a fuel pressure issue somewhere. it's either significantly dropping the rail pressure when it sits for a while from a slight external leak or leaky injector, fpr screwing up (never seen this on them though), or the pump is just getting weak and taking a little longer to build pressure.

i've also seen hard starting caused by flooding due to failed iat and/or coolant temp sensors, but that's uncommon.

if it ends up being the pump, i've got a whole low mileage tank and pump you can get cheap if you'll get it out of my way...

9/22/2007 9:41:58 PM

Definitely interested, seen the prices on a new pump and not looking forward to that if it is the problem. Its a 5.9L if it matters on the fuel pump type. Anywhere I can get it checked fairly quick, or even by myself if I can get a hold of some gauges and haynes manual, or is this one of those replace-shit-til-it-fixes-the-problem type things?

9/23/2007 1:11:04 AM

nah, just get a pressure guage on it. see what it leaks down to after sitting, and get someone to watch it while you crank and see what happens.

9/23/2007 4:13:22 AM

Will do, thanks for all the help on this.

9/23/2007 9:35:47 PM