I have a 2000 Dodge Dakota 4.7 20,000 miles. I have had very long cranking times before the engine will start. Cold, hot, it does'nt matter. I've tried turning the key over and waiting, that doesn't do anything. I've tried plugs, sea-foam, throttle body cleaning. So I tried something suggested by a friend. Turn the key from the off to on postion without engaging the starter several times. If it starts after a few cycles then it's the fuel pump is this true?

 

If you turn the key to on and wait a few a minute then turn it the rest of the way to turn the motor over does it still take a bit?

 

If I wait a minute it starts right up

 

I Just put a gauge on the fuel rail and when the key was forward it was 48 psi then it dropped to 10psi in a matter of 5 sec. Is this the pump, check valve.

 

That is your fuel rail being primed.

 

sounds like the check valve in the fuel pump...