02 Ram 1500 starting issues
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02 Ram 1500 starting issues
I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9. Over the past few weeks I have had an issue with my truck not starting at times. It usually seems to happen in the mornings. I will try to start it and it will turn over but not start. After a few minutes of trying it will hit like it wants to start. Then after that happens for a few minutes it will start for a few seconds and die. Then it will finally start and rough idle and then finally even out and run great. It usually starts fine for the rest of the day then the next morning, the same story. I took it to a shop and it isnt reading any codes on the computer. Any help would be appreciated!
Professional
Joined: Jun 2014
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If all they did was check codes and tell you they can't figure out what the problem is, they suck as a shop, and you shouldn't use them again.
Check fuel pressure first thing. Before you go to start it in the morning, hook up a fuel pressure tester, and then turn the key "ON", and see what pressure it goes to. Have it sit there for a bit and see if it drops off or holds. Then start to crank it over, see if it starts, and see what pressure it is at when cranking. Once you have it running, check pressure again. I don't have the pressure specs for that engine so someone will have to jump in with them or you can look them up.
I'm not sure how the ignition system is setup on that year of 5.9, but if it has a distributer still, check it for cracks or condensation inside. It may be that overnight condensation forms inside the distributer, once you finally get it running it burns off, and you can run it fine all day, until it condenses overnight again.
Those would be my two places to start.
Check fuel pressure first thing. Before you go to start it in the morning, hook up a fuel pressure tester, and then turn the key "ON", and see what pressure it goes to. Have it sit there for a bit and see if it drops off or holds. Then start to crank it over, see if it starts, and see what pressure it is at when cranking. Once you have it running, check pressure again. I don't have the pressure specs for that engine so someone will have to jump in with them or you can look them up.
I'm not sure how the ignition system is setup on that year of 5.9, but if it has a distributer still, check it for cracks or condensation inside. It may be that overnight condensation forms inside the distributer, once you finally get it running it burns off, and you can run it fine all day, until it condenses overnight again.
Those would be my two places to start.
Amateur
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 25
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I have a 2002 Ram 1500 5.9. Over the past few weeks I have had an issue with my truck not starting at times. It usually seems to happen in the mornings. I will try to start it and it will turn over but not start. After a few minutes of trying it will hit like it wants to start. Then after that happens for a few minutes it will start for a few seconds and die. Then it will finally start and rough idle and then finally even out and run great. It usually starts fine for the rest of the day then the next morning, the same story. I took it to a shop and it isnt reading any codes on the computer. Any help would be appreciated!
Have you figured your problem out yet? Besides the rough idling you mentioned your no start issue sounds really close to the no starting problem I am having.
Amateur
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
If all they did was check codes and tell you they can't figure out what the problem is, they suck as a shop, and you shouldn't use them again.
Check fuel pressure first thing. Before you go to start it in the morning, hook up a fuel pressure tester, and then turn the key "ON", and see what pressure it goes to. Have it sit there for a bit and see if it drops off or holds. Then start to crank it over, see if it starts, and see what pressure it is at when cranking. Once you have it running, check pressure again. I don't have the pressure specs for that engine so someone will have to jump in with them or you can look them up.
I'm not sure how the ignition system is setup on that year of 5.9, but if it has a distributer still, check it for cracks or condensation inside. It may be that overnight condensation forms inside the distributer, once you finally get it running it burns off, and you can run it fine all day, until it condenses overnight again.
Those would be my two places to start.
Check fuel pressure first thing. Before you go to start it in the morning, hook up a fuel pressure tester, and then turn the key "ON", and see what pressure it goes to. Have it sit there for a bit and see if it drops off or holds. Then start to crank it over, see if it starts, and see what pressure it is at when cranking. Once you have it running, check pressure again. I don't have the pressure specs for that engine so someone will have to jump in with them or you can look them up.
I'm not sure how the ignition system is setup on that year of 5.9, but if it has a distributer still, check it for cracks or condensation inside. It may be that overnight condensation forms inside the distributer, once you finally get it running it burns off, and you can run it fine all day, until it condenses overnight again.
Those would be my two places to start.
Where do you attach a fuel pressure gauge?
I am having a similar issue with my 97 Ram not starting in the mornings. I am leaning towards a no spark problem, I would like to double check fuel pressure just to make sure. I have never worked on fuel injection systems before
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,482
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From: Clayton MI
Where do you attach a fuel pressure gauge?
I am having a similar issue with my 97 Ram not starting in the mornings. I am leaning towards a no spark problem, I would like to double check fuel pressure just to make sure. I have never worked on fuel injection systems before
I am having a similar issue with my 97 Ram not starting in the mornings. I am leaning towards a no spark problem, I would like to double check fuel pressure just to make sure. I have never worked on fuel injection systems before
Unfortunately for you, the 97 had the plastic fuel rail, with no test port. So, you have to make an adapter to put the gauge on it. Your local parts store *might* have one you can rent, but, I wouldn't hold my breath on that.
