I have a 98 w/ 150K on it, when it has been sitting overnight, the truck spins over a few times before starting. If you turn it off, then restart it starts right up. I'm guessing the pump is losing its prime? In both cases you can hear it come on when you turn the key on. Plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc have all been changed but as far as I know she's never had a pump put in.

 

try this... before starting, turn the key to the on position and listen for the pump to prime the system. It'll stay on for about 2 seconds. then do it a couple of more times, then try to start it. if it fires right up, then your loosing fuel pressure and/or your lines are draining back into the tank. there is supposed to be a check valve in the pump that keeps the fuel lines primed, that valve may be bad...

 

That must be it- it fired right up when I did that. I've been looking for an excuse to replace that pump anyway- made me nervous w/ the miles on it. Thanks Steve!

 

are you going to swap it yourself? I havent had the pleasure (cough pain cough) of doing one yet on the dodge so I'm curious as to how easy it is.

Someone else had a bad fuel pump and I recommended that they drain the tank by running it down as far as possible, then disconnect the fuel line and pump the rest out into a container or another vehicle. I think if you disconnect the fuel line and connect another hose and turn the key on, it might stay on while you drain it, otherwise you'll have to jump the fuel pump relay...

 

It sounds like the fuel pump to me....i just replaced mine for the same reason. i put a fuel gauge on it and only got like 30-35lbs of pressure. and then as soon as i turned it off it instantly dropped to like 5lbs. i drove mine for a couple months like that. when i changed mine i pulled the box off instead of trying to flat back it in the drive way. 6 bolts (short box) 8 for long....6 for bumper....4 for tail lights and 3 for filler neck. made it alot easier than trying to lift a 30+ gallon tank to the ground even though it was only quarter full. youll need an engine hoist too....or several strong guys doing it like that. 1st start was a lil rough because it had to get fully primed but after that its worked great ever since.