diesel wont start

2004 DODGE RAM
26 MILES • 6 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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DD_110588
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The truck was running and driving good until a week and a half ago when it was a little sluggish. I thought it was the transmission fluid so i chaged it and it was still the same. One day we were driving it and parked it in front of our house and when i tried to start it, it wouldn't start soi cahnge the fuel filter and it was the same. So i droped the fuel tank because i thought maybe the mesh filter was clogged and when i took it down it had no fuel. The fuel messuring thing was stuck and wasnt working. I cleaned the tank the mesh filter, put so diesel in and it started right up. The truck was running good for the next two days. When i tried to start it after work it would start and shut of in the middle of the driveway and it would keep doing it. So i change the lift pump becase there wasnt fuel going into the injectors, then i changed the fuel actuator which i was told that it was the sensor that is located on the back of the injection pump. It starts if i put either but onloy last a few seconds. I have the following codes P0148 which is water in fuel, p2269 i think i got with the water in fuel, P0251 was because i opened the injector lines because i thought i had to burp it, and the last code that i got was p2509(the resson i changed the fuel control actuator) which was low fuel pressure. I need help asap, the truck is my transportation and i cant fix it. Any help would be really appreciated.
Jun 29, 2011 at 2:53 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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You said when you dropped the tank it was empty. I presume you have made sure there is fuel in the tank this time. Hook up a fuel pressure tester near the regulator/return and make sure you have between 30 and 40 PSI. If the pressure is low, replace the pump. You may also wish to flush the fuel lines.
Jul 1, 2011 at 4:17 AM
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DD_110588
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i changed the fuel pump and i did flush out the return line and a few others that go on the injection pump
Jul 2, 2011 at 12:45 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Quality control usually catches defective products, but not always. Just because it's new doesn't mean it's perfect.
Allowing the tank to run dry may also have allowed the pump to pick up contaminants that have clogged the injectors.
All of the codes you quoted point to low fuel pressure, though.
Jul 2, 2011 at 4:26 AM
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DD_110588
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ok i dnt have any fuel pressure tools and the ones that they sell in autozone arent really for a diesel, or so they say. And what are the odd of the injection pump going bad because of this?
Jul 2, 2011 at 4:54 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Admittedly not very good. But still there. But I'd bet that the injectors were contaminated when you ran the tank dry. THAT is a VERY common occurrence. It's the main reason automotive people will tell customers to fill their tanks when they reach 1/4 tank.
Jul 2, 2011 at 6:24 AM
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DD_110588
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well my problem was that the float or fuel messure thing in the tank was stuck. so by contaminated you mean what exactly?
Jul 3, 2011 at 1:57 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Dirt, corrosion, other stuff that hangs out on the bottom of a fuel tank.
Jul 3, 2011 at 2:58 AM
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DD_110588
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ok cuz when we dropped the tank there was some slimy looking thing on the mesh filter and the tank. what is that by the way?
Jul 3, 2011 at 3:12 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Most likely sludge. Or chunks of corroded tank lining. Either way, it may have gotten into the fuel lines and clogged the injectors. Try purging the fuel lines and then running some injector cleaner through it.
Jul 3, 2011 at 3:41 AM
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DD_110588
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ok i will clean the lines and see what happens and let u know
Jul 3, 2011 at 5:17 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Ok. Have a happy 4th if we don't hear from you before then.
Jul 3, 2011 at 7:13 PM
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DD_110588
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Thanks. ive tried it again and the only thing that i could think of is that the injection pump is bad.
Jul 6, 2011 at 12:37 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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That could be it. I'm guessing that you checked fuel pressure at the rail and found it either lacking or nonexistent?
Jul 6, 2011 at 4:45 AM
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DD_110588
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yeah i cleaned out all the lines and there was no pressure on the fuel rail. before it ran out of fuel it was sluggish, what that the beggining of the end of the pump or did something else killed it?
Jul 6, 2011 at 4:55 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Running dry could have quickened its demise.
Jul 6, 2011 at 5:52 AM
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DD_110588
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so besides running dry what else could of ruinned it. see the truck only has 26,*** miles. So as you can see its a little shocking.
Jul 6, 2011 at 1:24 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Running dry. That clogged screen (which emulates running dry). Water in the fuel. Defective internal components. Other contaminants in the fuel corroding the pump mechanism and/or rubber parts.
Jul 7, 2011 at 1:45 AM
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DD_110588
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ok what can i do from now on besides not letting it go dry, to prevent the pump from going bad, because thats a VERY EXPENSIVE pump
Jul 7, 2011 at 1:59 AM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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I would use a fuel conditioner. Never let the tank run dry. If you use the cheapest fuel, try spending a few cents more per gallon for better quality fuel.
Jul 7, 2011 at 2:07 AM
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DD_110588
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alright i got and injection pump and changed it. now it starts for about 10-15 minutes and dies out. i also got another new lift pump and still the same. any ideas????
Aug 16, 2011 at 3:32 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Try draining and blowing out the fuel lines and cleaning the injector inlets.
Aug 16, 2011 at 9:47 PM
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DD_110588
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I did all that already when you first told me to clean the lines. I also got a code that says the lift pump voltage is to low
Aug 17, 2011 at 4:02 PM
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RIVERMIKERAT
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Use a multimeter to track down where and why the lift pump isn't getting the proper voltage. Maybe a loose connection or wire. Or a corroded connection or relay.
Aug 17, 2011 at 10:13 PM
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2CP-ARCHIVES
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my 2500 ram wont start when it is cold outside.it cranks but wont start
May 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM (Merged)
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ELAINE04
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it is a cummins
May 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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Contacted my diesel expert, and he agrees, we need a whole lot more information. What temperatures? Is it plugged in? Have the injectors been replaced?
May 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM (Merged)
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ELAINE04
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sorry about not giving enough detail,it ussually does not start in the 40,s. i can plug it in at home,but not at work as there are no outlets nearby, and the fuel injectors have not been replaced
thanks for all your help
May 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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My first though was there's a problem with the intake air heater but my buddy says that is very unlikely. He has rebuilt a lot of smashed trucks. All Dodges as that's all he likes, and mostly diesels. He said the two most likely things to suspect are the injectors and the injector pump. The injectors can get a little spec of dirt stuck inside. Don't know if that's accurate but apparently he has had good luck after replacing them. He didn't say what the problem is with the pumps. I don't know why temperature would have such a big affect unless there just isn't enough fuel getting in to fire properly.
May 15, 2020 at 11:49 AM (Merged)
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ELAINE04
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2500 ram dodge cummins wont start when cold.it cranks but wont start
May 15, 2020 at 11:50 AM (Merged)
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ASEMASTER6371
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first, i would have the air heaters checked to be sure they are working.

is the check engine light on??

Roy
May 15, 2020 at 11:50 AM (Merged)
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ELAINE04
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the check engine light is not on
May 15, 2020 at 11:50 AM (Merged)
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