[anthonyq]

im having a problem with my 03 cummins with starting the engine refuses to start when cold unless given a tiny shot of either. it seems as though the fuel is being deadheaded when cold because once it cranks over on the either the fuel is then let in. but when the temp gauge reads over 140 it will start up withing 3-4 seconds. please help no mechanic has been able to fix this or figure out what is wrong, thanks

 

[jray3369]

whats the cranking speed like. I dont know that i would use starting fluid. check you batteries, cranking slower then normal...

fill out your info, grid heater working... Lights dimming when running? fuel filter, fuel additive...?

some suggestions

 

[ComnRailPwr]

Unless the injection pump generates somewhere around 32-3400 rail psi then the injectors will not fire. When you shoot it with ether it spins the motor over faster creating more rail presaure which enables the ECM to fire the injector solenoids. When the motor is warm or outside temps are warm the oil is thinner so the motor naturally spins just a bit faster which can cause it to start warm and not cold. Either the batteries are weak and its cranking too slow or most likely you have 1 or more injectors bypassing fuel.

 

[anthonyq]

thanks guys i did think it may have been cranking a little slow expecially compared to my 99 cummins and the oil being warm and allowing it to turn a bit faster definitly makes sense wish i thought of that 40,000 miles ago and actually the lights do dim when idleing the batteries are new but ill have to check them. and can a bad ECM cause this too? wondering if i should just be careful of that too
thank you

 

[dodgerebel1]

you also want to check your injectors. the number 1 injecter is what fires the truck off to start it. i had an issue like this about a yr ago and ended up replacing all six injectors. because the only way my truck would start was with either.

 

[tripacman]

yea could be weak batteries but if not. your return flow on your injectors is to high. went through this on my father in laws 03. had to replace all six injectors. exact same symptoms. your lights diming is prob caused by your intake air heater being on.

 

[anthonyq]

checked the batteries and wiring and all seems fine so it must be the injectors unfortunitly there a bit more expensive than replacing some bad batteries...anybody know somewhere to get a good price on injectors or also curious if anyone knows or has heard of someway converting the injection system to something less electronic like a 12 valve pump and injectors its the same block engine so i figure why not as long as it doesnt conflict any elctronic components

 

[anthonyq]

common rail injection problem

hi i have an 03 common rail and i know my injectors are shot but would anyone know of a conversion for a less electronic injection system like the earlier 24 valves or 12 valves have that would possibly be cheaper or easier that wouldnt conflict with any of the other electronic components thanks

 

[rpage]

the only other option is p-pump and its not any cheaper then replacing injectors. I take it you had the injectors bench tested to make sure they were bad. From reading earlier you mite have needed to check your crosover tube torque also.