Okay here it goes. I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 V8 5.2L with a hard to start problem. This problem has exsisted for about 6 years. I have been to 2 Dodge Dealers and 4 private mechanics and none of them can find the problem.

Over the years I have been able to identify certain symptoms.

#1 When driving the vehicle on a daily basis I can crank it up <without using the gas pedal> and it can take 15 seconds to start. If I use the gas pedal when cranking it takes like 7 seconds to start. An obvious fuel smell follows after start-up. <expected with 'flooding' the engine>

#2 The vehicle can sit for 3-4 days and it starts in about 1/2 a second.

#3 If I am out driving around and shut it off while I go into a store and grab a soda and come back out within 5-10 minutes to restart it, it starts with no problems.

#4 Same scenario as above but if I come out to start it after about 30 minutes or more, it is hard to start.

#5 Occassionally <about 50% of the time> while highway driving 70 mph, I can see my RPM needle fluctuating from 2000 RPM to 1800 or 1700 RPM, even with constant pedal pressure.

1st Dodge Dealer - Response after paying the $120.00 diagnosis fee! "We can't find anything wrong with it". <WTF>

The last private mechanic told me, your fuel pump is going out. So I unbolted the bed and replaced the pump with a new $250.00 one. Still have the same problem.

Mechanic asked me what type of spark plugs I had it in. I told him Bosch Platinum. He told me that was my problem. Bosch doesn't work in Dodges very well. So I put Champion Spark Plugs. That didn't solve it either.

I have also over a period of time replaced the battery and cables, Rotor, Cables and used Fuel Injector Cleaner.

Took it to a Ford Dealer who was a friend of mine afetr talking to him about it. He said he wouldn't charge me anything, would just make it a pet project for the guys in the shop to see if they could find the problem. No LUCK. In all fariness he said he was limited on what he could check electronically because he didn't have the ability to check dodge electronics. He did suggest that the PCM was possibly bad but he had no way to check it. PLEASE HELP ME.

 

When you replaced the fuel pump, did you replace the whole assembly in the tank, or did you do JUST the pump?

I have seen this behavior many times on GM vehicles...... 99% of the time, it was a failing check valve in the fuel pump.... the rest of the time, it was a bad regulator. If you replaced the entire assembly in the tank.... none of that should be a problem. (well, shouldn't be at any rate......)

Your truck shows all the signs of low fuel pressure at startup after sitting..... might not be a bad idea to get a fuel pressure gauge, stick it on there, and start the truck. See what fuel pressure is like as you turn the key, and how long it takes to build to 49PSI. Once the engine starts, let it run for a minute or two, to let fuel pressure stabilize, shut if off, and watch the gauge to see if pressure bleeds off.

Another thing you may want to try, is to swap the fuel pump relay with another one in the PDC...... See if that helps at all.

 

You need to get a fuel pressure gauge. Around $25 only, cheaper than taking it to shops. Do a search here on DF for "plenum". As far as the rpm jumps go, that is probably the TPS (Throttle Position Sensor). While you have the TB (Throttle Body) off to check the plenum, clean it and the IAC (idle air control) valve and bore. Keep in mind,that cleaning the IAC does not eliminate the fact it might be bad. disconnect the Neg. battery cable while you perform any type of cleaning or replacement. Download this, it might help https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...-gen-rams.html You should also check for any stored codes, which can be done in this manner https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...code-list.html

 

With the exception of your #5 problem, I had the exact same problem about two years ago. I couldn't figure it out either. I ended up taking it to the dealership. They had it for an afternoon. When I picked it up, the service adviser told me something to the effect: "The computer perameters for the fuel system were slightly out of spec. The mechanic made some adjustments with the computer and it's now starting correctly".

I asked him why it didn't display a code when I scanned it. He told me it wasn't necessarily something that would throw a code. He went on to tell me the adjustment wasn't something I would be able to make unless I had the proper computer equipment at home.

Well, they charged me an hour labor and the truck has started perfectly since. Also (my biggest concern), there is no fuel smell in the cab after the long crank time.

Now, I'm not a wrench, so I can't give you details about what they adjusted. All I know is it was electronic. I do wish you luck. I felt your pain!

 

HeyYou - I did change out the entire fuel pump assembly at the time.

zman17 - I will go get one and try that out. Also will check the Throttle Position Sensor. As I said that symptom is intermittent. Originally I said it happens about 50% of the time, but thinking back on it, it is probably closer to 20% of the time. Still just something that I had noticed and felt it would be worth mentioning in the symptoms as it might have pointed to something I had not thought of. Sounds like the Throttle Position Sensor is unrelated to the actual tough start.

Saber6 - I could probably take it back to the dealer a 3rd time now. The other times I had taken it in was around 2003. The problem may not have been a frequently seen problem yet so they didn't check it at the time. Since you took yours in more recent I will give Dodge another crack at it and mention what your guy stated to you about the Computer Parameters and Fuel Systems being slightly out of spec.

Thank You Very Much everyone for your time and expertise. If I get a solution I will be sure to post it online here so the information can be shared with the community.