Hard to start on the Morning?

MANY58

MEMBER
2002 DODGE RAM
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
100,000 MILES

My ram works all fine but since four months ago is hard to start on the morning or after one or two hours after cools down it usually takes like two try's to start but now it's like five or six try's i'm wondering if its the fuel pump, filter, or something but it runs strong

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,170 POSTS

Hi,
Chances are fuel pressure is dropping off and causing the delayed start. First, try this and see if it makes a difference:

1) Turn the key from off to the run position (engine off) and count to five.

2) Turn the key to off and then repeat step one.

3) Do this three times and then try starting it.

If the engine starts normally, it sounds like you have fuel pressure drop-off. When this happens, it takes the fuel pump a bit longer to build enough pressure to start the engine. By cycling the switch on and off, as mentioned above, gives it a chance to build pressure prior to actually trying to start it.

If this happens, then check fuel pressure and fuel pressure drop off. Here is a link showing how it is done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have additional questions.

Take care,

Joe