OK, so I have a 98 V8 5.9, when I try to start it, it turns over but then this is a thump, like something is trying to or has to engage before it will allow a start. Then second attempt to turnover to start is successful...this happens at every start. I was told the starter is fine...any ideas?

Thank you!

 

Try turning to key to ON but not fully to START and keep it there for about 15 seconds and try starting it. If it starts right up you have either a bad anti-drain back valve or your fuel pump is going out.

That noise you will hear when you turn it to on that's sort of a buzzing noise is the fuel pump priming itself, just FYI.

 

Another easy check for the same diagnosis, on the fuel rail there is a little black plastic nut. Spin it off and press the schrader (I believe it's called) valve and if there is no pressure there, like Widow said your fuel system is not holding pressure like it should.

 

OK, well another thing to take in consideration is that when the engine is cold is when it takes the two tries, if it is warm or less than an hour or so it will start on one try.

 

I re-read his post:

Are you trying to say there is a audio "thumping" then it stops trying to turn over with your hand still on the start position on the key switch?

 

OK...no its before...so like turn key, thump. then ignition starting sound, then thump again, then again ignition sound and then it starts...does that make sense?

 

I'd say it's a weak fuel pump if you have to crank, stop cranking (key on position), then crank again and it starts. But a thumping sound means either something in the engine is maybe it too hard to turn over (when it thumps you're setting up the hard cranking spot right at the begining of the cycle so the starter can gather some momentum to push it over the hard spot on the next turnover), or the thumping sound could be an after market radio or amp lossing power during cranking and coming back on after cranking.

Check over your battery cables and make sure they are all good. One of your positive cables goes directly from the battery to the starter.

And lastly, since you say it works fine when it's warmed up, I have to ask what kind of oil are you running in it? That's really the only thing that gets a little thinner once it warms up, unless you want to start getting into the torque converter/transmission if that's where the thumping sound is coming from.

 

To me that sounds like a classic starter engagement issue or bad connection.

First, ensure your connections, if everything is ok I would then replace the starter: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...-and-5-2l.html

 

Looks like a starter replacement in my near future...thanks for all the input...hydrashocker...nice job on that instruction thread!!!

 

Your welcome.