I have a 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup that takes 2-4 times before it will start when the engine is cold, but when the engine is hot it fines right up no problems. I have replaced fuel pump, plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor and now I am out of ideas on where to go next. Any ideas would be greatly appreicated.

 

Welcoem to DF! Moving this to the 2nd gen Ram section.

 

Low compression? Vacuum leak/plenum? Collapsed cat?

If you have a vacuum leak and the mix is lean, that can affect cold starting. Does it fire on first try from cold if you give it a shot of starting fluid?

Can you describe what it is doing while you crank it? How long do you crank it for? Does it try to fire and just can't get it?....or just turns over normally and then starts all at once when it decides it's ready?

 

Get an inexpensive fuel pressure tester and see if it holds pressure when the motor is off and for how long it holds pressure.

 

^+1, does it smell like gas when if finally fires up cold as if it were flooding?

 

How old is your battery? I had similar issues with an 8 year old cheap autozone battery. I replaced it a couple weeks ago, haven't had issues since.

 

When trying to start the truck I crank on it for about 30 secs at a time, when doing that it acts like it wants to start but it just won't and then after awhile it just starts.

 

At times yes

 

The battery is only 2 years old, replaced it when I got the truck.

 

Need to verify fuel pressure when cold. Easy test is to just cycle the key on/off a couple times (letting the fuel pump prime), and THEN trying to start. If it then fires right up, pump is probably going.

What brand is your 'new' fuel pump?