long crank time
#1
long crank time
My 2002 Dodge Ram recently developed a long crank problem on cold starts. After sitting around an hour or more, the start takes 3 to 5 seconds. Upon start, there is a fuel smell. It's still under extended warranty so I took it to the dealership, they replaced the fuel pump. The problem persisted and long story short, it's now been in the shop three times for a total of about two and a half weeks! The second and third visits I was told there was a wiring problem. The long crank was present before I even got home!
Any ideas? The dealership has now resorted to not returning my phone calls. Any help appreciated.
Any ideas? The dealership has now resorted to not returning my phone calls. Any help appreciated.
#3
RE: long crank time
Ditto.
Try a different dealer.
If you smelled fuel from a 3-5 second crank, You most DEFINTELY didn't have a fuel pump problem.
You probably have something wrong with either timing or spark.... Worst case, a compression issue.
Has it been throwing any codes?
Another possibility, now that I think of it, is a weak battery... Have enough juice to crank but barely enough for ignition.... might be time for a new Batt, which would also necessitate in-depth examination of the health of your alternator.... (I've had this problem previously in a few cars, and on several boats..)
Try a different dealer.
If you smelled fuel from a 3-5 second crank, You most DEFINTELY didn't have a fuel pump problem.
You probably have something wrong with either timing or spark.... Worst case, a compression issue.
Has it been throwing any codes?
Another possibility, now that I think of it, is a weak battery... Have enough juice to crank but barely enough for ignition.... might be time for a new Batt, which would also necessitate in-depth examination of the health of your alternator.... (I've had this problem previously in a few cars, and on several boats..)
#5
RE: long crank time
The battery is fine, we've had it tested. The dealership stated that reading the codes was difficult because they only have that 5 second window. It was explained to me that once the engine starts, all systems are normal and no code can be detected. Is that right? I asked the service advisor if they'd checked for leaking injectors, fuel pressure and a few other things I've learned from my research and I was assured they had. However, I'm not sure they have manually checked these things or just relied on the computer.
The truck went back on Monday, it's now Thursday and I haven't heard a word from them. But at least they got me a rental car this time. I will ask about the suggestions offered.
Changing dealerships is difficult. There's another one in the city where I live but popular opinion is that they focus on Chrysler cars, not trucks. There are a couple of other dealerships in surrounding towns and I may have to give one of them a shot.
Thanks for any past and future suggestions.
The truck went back on Monday, it's now Thursday and I haven't heard a word from them. But at least they got me a rental car this time. I will ask about the suggestions offered.
Changing dealerships is difficult. There's another one in the city where I live but popular opinion is that they focus on Chrysler cars, not trucks. There are a couple of other dealerships in surrounding towns and I may have to give one of them a shot.
Thanks for any past and future suggestions.
#6