Truck Won't Stay Running, Long Cranking with Multiple Attempts

[Junior48]

Truck is a 2012 RAM with MM3 from DRD full delets. It had been pretty cold here this last week in the mornings (-10 to -15). I always run an additive and have never geled up. Sunday I thought this maybe the case. Trucked died while backing out the drive. Then had a really hard time restarting. After multiple attempts it fired but soon died. Gave it a few more goes. Then got it parked. Went to town got a new filter and some 911. Replaced filter and put some 911 in the filter housing. Put more additive in the tank as well. No change, long cranking times with multiple attempts then would fire and may run at an idle for a short while then die. Any time I put it in gear and go to pull out I might make it 50yds, then it all starts over. Added more fuel just to make sure. I also charged and tested the batteries. Date on batteries are August of 18, over 700 cca on both batteries. Only code that comes up is P2509. That only showed up after I unhooked the batteries.

Side notes the MM3 display has fallen a few times from the suction cup and extremely cold mornings not holding to the glass. The cable on the MM3 dose have a slight bend on the connector and is having a hard time making a good connection. I need to buy the pillar mount obviously. And to top it off had a guy back into my passenger tail light on Saturday.

What you smart guys think? I got a couple ideas but just didn't know if anyone else had something like this happen to them. Thanks for any help

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[TexNeck]

Truck is a 2012 RAM with MM3 from DRD full delets. It had been pretty cold here this last week in the mornings (-10 to -15). I always run an additive and have never geled up. Sunday I thought this maybe the case. Trucked died while backing out the drive. Then had a really hard time restarting. After multiple attempts it fired but soon died. Gave it a few more goes. Then got it parked. Went to town got a new filter and some 911. Replaced filter and put some 911 in the filter housing. Put more additive in the tank as well. No change, long cranking times with multiple attempts then would fire and may run at an idle for a short while then die. Any time I put it in gear and go to pull out I might make it 50yds, then it all starts over. Added more fuel just to make sure. I also charged and tested the batteries. Date on batteries are August of 18, over 700 cca on both batteries. Only code that comes up is P2509. That only showed up after I unhooked the batteries.

Side notes the MM3 display has fallen a few times from the suction cup and extremely cold mornings not holding to the glass. The cable on the MM3 dose have a slight bend on the connector and is having a hard time making a good connection. I need to buy the pillar mount obviously. And to top it off had a guy back into my passenger tail light on Saturday.

What you smart guys think? I got a couple ideas but just didn't know if anyone else had something like this happen to them. Thanks for any help

We will still have to wait for the smart ones to chime in but were you able to verify rail pressure? It sounds like a fuel delivery issue like you have started investigating. How many miles on the truck? I would hook up MM3 and go to pressure menu- select rail pressure actual and rail pressure desired. See what the variance is when issue occurs and report back.

one other thing to check is for any codes. Was truck plugged in (heater)?

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[AK Bob]

I agree with @TexNeck check the fuel rail pressure actual vs desired.

The P2509 was probably just the result of disconnecting the batteries within 10 minutes after key off.

See attached information on that code.

I am assuming that you load tested both batteries.

P2509.pdf


2014 RAM 3500 (Aisin) 3.73 4X4 Limited Crew Cab Long Bed DRW. Oil Bypass Filter, 50 Gallon auxiliary fuel tank.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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[Crshanta]

I agree with to two prior, sounds like lack of fuel.

I would open the fuel bleeder on the filter and cycle the lift pump.

If no fuel or very little comes out, place a torpedo heater under the truck and make a tent with a tarp.

Being mindful to place the heater at the rear or away from flammable stuff.

might have to let it idle for a while, like 10-20 mins to get the fuel temp up and to get the additive mixed well in the lines.

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[Junior48]

As far as the code goes yes I did unhook the batteries after a start cycle within the 10 minutes. Yep both batteries where load tested. I have been motoring the actual rail pressure shortly after this started. It is just over 100 when I'm cranking then when it dose catch it idle between 4600 to just over 5000. When it falls on its face it is right now. Tuck has just over 86k. It was not plugged in when this all started.

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[TexNeck]

As far as the code goes yes I did unhook the batteries after a start cycle within the 10 minutes. Yep both batteries where load tested. I have been motoring the actual rail pressure shortly after this started. It is just over 100 when I'm cranking then when it dose catch it idle between 4600 to just over 5000. When it falls on its face it is right now. Tuck has just over 86k. It was not plugged in when this all started.

So rail pressure of 100 means it’s not building pressure and then there’s a surge and it sends fuel (once it catches is when it runs).

I would unplug the FCA and do a test on it to see if this is the culprit.

For test once running unplug for a few seconds then plug it back in.

Rail pressure should peg out (reading on MM3 will show last highest pressure during key cycle).

It likely will sound rattly like a 12V if it pegs out (which is a good thing).

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[Junior48]

Ok so here we go.

Did the test, yes once unplug it did sound like a 12V, but not quite as rattly as I was expecting.

Pressures went from 5047 at idle then spiked to 29556 once unplugged.

I did tap on the FCA a little bit, the idle pressures seem a little bit hight now just over 5k more consistent.

So now what.

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[TexNeck]

Ok so here we go.

Did the test, yes once unplug it did sound like a 12V, but not quite as rattly as I was expecting.

Pressures went from 5047 at idle then spiked to 29556 once unplugged.

I did tap on the FCA a little bit, the idle pressures seem a little bit hight now just over 5k more consistent.

So now what.

So now we need have eliminated a bad CP3, FCA, and pressure relief valve.

My next thought goes to the code coming up about intermittent loss of connection with ECM.

You said batteries are good/load tested. Have you checked your chassis ground connections and fuses?

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[Junior48]

Nope have not done that yet.

Guess I'll start scrubbing tomorrow.

Hope I can find something...

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[Junior48]

One other thing I just thought of. On Saturday I was driving the wife's pick up. (2018 1500) I did try to start her truck with my key. Had both sets in my pocket. I wouldn't think that could cause anything

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