I did a thread search and found simliar problems but no exact so if any of you guys got an answer I would love to hear it!!
The other night I was driving home from work, pulled into an intersection and my truck stalled, it's never done this before, so I put it in neutral and start it back up and drive home, but when I restarted it the check engine light came on for the first time. So that's 1 problem,
then tonight:
About 6 months ago my 2003 dodge ram 1500, 5.7 hemi, didn't start right away as it always does. It just cranked over and over. Took about 4 tries and finally started up. No probs till today.
Started fine in the morning. After work was fine. The running an errand I get in and it just cranks and cranks but doesn't start. It took about 8-10 times till it finally caught and started. I pumped the gas but it didn't help it at all it seemed. Truck runs perfect, but was just having trouble starting. Then I get home, park it and try starting it again and it wouldn't start just kept cranking.
So WTF!?!?! It has almost 100k miles, I'm in LA,ca so there is good nice weather. Tune up? Electrical? Computer? Anything!
Help please
thank you!

 

Problem one: If your check engine light is on, no need to play the guessing game. Take it to advance auto or a similar shop and have them plug into your truck and figure out what it's trying to tell you.

Problem 2: Fuel pump is most likely shot. The gas pedal isnt mechanical, its electrical; so pumping the gas pedal wont neccesarily "choke" it... I would try turning your key back and forth from off to run (right before you crank it over) a few times. this will keep turning the fuel pump on and off which will get you some fuel to the motor hopefully.

Have you changed your plugs at all?

Cleaned your throttle body?

Air filter?

I'd look into those regardless.

 

yea sounds like a fuel pump issue as well which is a pretty costly fix. I have a feeling mine is starting to go because every now it turns over a few times before it will start.

 

I had the same issue a few years ago and it finally threw a CEL. It ended up being an O2 sensor. Changed it out and starts immediately every time even with my remote start.

Joe, nice mirrors.

 

haha Chris, you're darn right they are .

02 sensor you say? Hmm, every now and then I throw an 02 code but it usually goes away by itself not long after it comes on. Maybe I should actually fix it and see if that helps my sporadic starting issues. Thanks for the tip!

 

I would assume if it were an O2, it would be the front O2's

 

I am not sure which one that was changed because our work mechanic crawled under there and did it. I want to say is was back by the Cat but not sure. It was hard starting for quite awhile before it threw the CEL so I would look there first.

Joe, glad you like the mirrors. They look better on your truck than they did on mine. I like the sportier looking mirrors on the 1500 4X2's.

 

thank you for the great info guys. in response to the Q's about my truck, the filters are up to date, the plugs were just changed. i hope its something simple like the O2 sensor. ill keep you guys posted as soon as the mechanic calls. the truck, when it started, ran really strong. so im hoping its the lame emissions junk!

 

Pumping the gas does nothing anymore. Kinda early for a fuel pump unless you run it down to fumes a lot. I did that on many vehicles 'til I learned it's rough on the fuel pump. My '95 Dodge Wagon needed a fuel pump at ~120K.

 

yep fuel pumps are electical and in the gas tank !! *******ly fool proof/ Now that i wrote it watch my next thread, effin fuel pump, lol. back on topic, yes running them empty starves the pump of lubrication as well. It uses the fuel btw.