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Hard to start in the morning
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suzuki98
Novice
Nov 29, 2014, 8:35 AM
Post #1 of 11
(2427 views)
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Hard to start in the morning
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2001 Dodge Ram 1500 v6 150000 miles.
I am having problems getting the truck to start in the mornings. I have replaced fuel pump, cap, rotor, plugs, temp sensor, and wires. Wires were replaced about a year ago. I think it is due to moisture in the air because some mornings it will start fine. I first thought it was temperature related but this morning it is not that cold out but moisture was in the air and it took about 10 minutes to get it started. Once it is started it usually is fine all day. Any help would be great I am running out of ideas. Thanks for any help
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2014, 9:40 AM
Post #2 of 11
(2409 views)
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Now that you are probably out a grand guessing and tossing parts with no success now try testing some things first instead. Some new or newer parts are total junk compared to what you tossed so now possibly confuse it more.
If you think moisture is it check if general engine is damp with dew when this happens. If so it may show some arcing of stray high voltage jumping out of a wire or item in the wrong way.
Is engine cranking at a good normal speed when cold? If not and then rest of day it does maybe battery is losing it some or wrong oil viscosity if off enough and too cold a thicker oil could be a real problem. Use only OE suggested oils just anyway.
Test battery for AMPS or watch voltage drop while cranking. If it drops below 9V it's aggravating the items that do all the assorted things for starting under volt spec and they may not cooperate. Hard to get some real amp output into so volt drop is telling. If it jumps from another running vehicle and problem goes away would be a good clue,
T
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suzuki98
Novice
Nov 29, 2014, 10:39 AM
Post #3 of 11
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Engine seems to be turning over normal in the morning and it does finally start just takes about 5 minutes. I looked under the hood this morning before I got it to start and the engine did have moisture on it. I will see if I can see any arching but it is just me so it is hard to look for anything when trying to start engine. I first had it in the shop and it would not hold fuel pressure that is why I replaced fuel pump and that lasted about a week and went back to the same problem. Took it back to the shop and they kept it all weekend pressure was fine and they could not duplicate the problem.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2014, 12:41 PM
Post #4 of 11
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Hmmm? Another shop/tech could NOT duplicate this problem! Dang - that makes it harder. Really - FIVE minutes is way too long then you say it's fine?
If that was getting that damp enough of the time there's some common reason if that's the reason at all. What is possibly unusual about where you park it? Muddy and or wet dirt ground does tend to make a metal object wetter with condensation and most vehicles put up with that and if extreme wouldn't be many times if all secondary components (high voltage stuff) were good.
Codes, watch for arcing especially if you can catch it in total darkness and even aggravate it with salted spray water over cold/cool parts of the items and wires that could cause this from DAMPNESS which is still guessing that's the reason at all.
Remember, when nothing shows wrong when testing something you really need to catch it, in the same condition when it's failing.
Most all vehicles barring wildly cold (none yet this whole year anywhere in US) should take five minutes to start. In fact I question any fuel injected vehicle that even takes two tries!
Gotta find this and what causes it. Any changes since new parts at all and are spark plugs themselves the exact brand and type this vehicle calls for? That alone on some can raise all hell if another type,
T
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suzuki98
Novice
Nov 29, 2014, 12:56 PM
Post #5 of 11
(2374 views)
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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When it first started doing it I thought it was because of the cold because that was the only time it would do. This started about a month ago. This morning it was not cold but dew was in the air. After I changed the fuel pump it was fine for about a week and the first time it did it after that it was cold and raining that morning. Not getting any codes and I park on a asphalt driveway. I think it had autolite plugs in it and replaced them with ngk plugs. Have thought about replacing the coil since it is easy to get to just to see if that was the problem. Hard to duplicate the problem at night because it is already light when I go to work so probably would not be able to see a arch. Thanks for your help
(This post was edited by suzuki98 on Nov 29, 2014, 12:58 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2014, 1:17 PM
Post #6 of 11
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Find out and put the correct plugs in. If you suspect the coil spray it and it should act up right away in front of you. Start once but not warmed up when difficult. Spray it again when you seem to know it wouldn't act up and see if it does again now.
Hey - no codes showing totally depends on what device and person is taking that test. Some will not light a CEL light but have a code pending and you don't know that yet. I about know if you crank this for 5 minutes to start it not all at once of course or you'd have long killed the starter it has a code pending to help but NOT tell you what to do but where to begin diagnosing WHY.
Yes - your asphalt driveway helps vs dirt of any kind and wet.
We could also be all off track on this and you actually may need testing devices on it waiting for it to show itself like a fuel pressure tester. If a lousy connector is corroded to it or something else that matters for cold starts you just might see what is missing.
I'd have a spark tester in line on it, fuel pressure tester on it, hood open with any light disconnected and with helper or a tool for this leave key on run and trigger the starter with a momentary switch while watching the testers installed.
If you have fuel pressure in range, spark that looks good and it doesn't even phart then move on to see if injectors are even flashing with a noid light.
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This has to have a code pending by your description. Get a better code reading if you have to pay for it, it beat the hell out of tossing crap for stuff that might not even be as good as what you threw out,
T
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suzuki98
Novice
Nov 29, 2014, 1:40 PM
Post #7 of 11
(2359 views)
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Ok thanks for your help will see what I can do. I know the fuel pressure is fine because that was the last thing the shop checked when I let them keep it last weekend. It sat from last Friday to Monday and started right up for them Monday morning. Will keep looking
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2014, 1:52 PM
Post #8 of 11
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Arggh! So you know they tested fuel pressure and it might, only might have been WHEN it wasn't starting and then what? Give you back the car and say it's fine!
No, When a car cranks and doesn't start you go thru a check list but while it's happening as I've said for several times now.
If you are sick of this problem and done checking it out or lack more test equipment get a real diagnosis. This is a decent link at this stie of what you check for problems of the sort. If needed print it and give it back to the shop that didn't find anything wrong,
http://autoforums.carjunky.com/...LL_NOT_START_P75655/
T
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suzuki98
Novice
Nov 29, 2014, 7:41 PM
Post #9 of 11
(2341 views)
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Waited till it got dark tonight went out and started my truck one mist spray at the coil it arched and the engine died think I have found the problem. Thank you for all your help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 29, 2014, 8:47 PM
Post #10 of 11
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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THUMBS UP! If you can see it do it you've found it! Now, what item(s) are arcing? If more than one wire those just don't cut it. Other things might show a flaw if looked at closely when dry.
If you did use any salt it should dissipate or wipe clean. Also there are "wire drier" products that cover these wet problems and help but truth is good parts wont do it when damp when all is right.
Good luck and be done with this problem,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2014, 5:20 AM
Post #11 of 11
(2313 views)
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Re: Hard to start in the morning
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Sounds like you have a cracked coil. Replacing it should resolve your problem. If the wires have some age, replace them also.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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