Please help 2003 dodge diesel issues

lavmech23 · 12-27-2008, 12:19 PM

I have alot of trouble getting it to start when its cold, at first i would keep it plugged in and it would start fine in the morning now after having it plugged in it just turns over, replaced the batteries and still having trouble any suggestions would be great.

leolkfrm · 12-27-2008, 12:51 PM

welcome to the forum
is your block heater still working? have you checked the glow plugs? not knowing where you are, are you using seasoned fuel with additives? when was the fuel filter changed last?

batty1214 · 12-27-2008, 05:07 PM

are you cold enough to have to worry about diesel fuel gelling up? we have gelled up quite a bit of stuff here...... do you know if you are running a winter blend or not?

terrywerm · 02-17-2009, 02:57 PM

I would start by checking a couple of things:

First your block heater. When you plug it in or unplug it, you should see a bit of a spark and hear a quick crackling noise as you do so, especially when you unplug it. If you don't get either of those, you may need to replace your block heater cord, or the heater itself. Block heaters are generally pretty durable, and will last a very long time as long as they have not been overheated (left plugged in with REALLY low cooland level.)

Make sure that your intake heater grids are working. The heaters themselves are pretty reliable, but each of the grids has its own relay. Make sure that the relays are energizing the grids. You can ususally tell if they are working correctly by watching your voltmeter closely for a few minutes after starting the engine cold. After starting you should see the volt meter drop from 14 down to about 12 volts and hang there for a little bit, then it will start to come back up to 14. It will cycle back and forth like this for several minutes. If the voltage does not drop at all, your intake heaters are not working and you will have to dig further to find out if the problem is with the relays or the heaters themselves.

Not sure where you are located or how cold it gets there, but my 01 diesel RAM will normally start after sitting for ten to twelve hours, not plugged in, and temps around 0, and I still have my original factory batteries (they are in need of replacement, which I expect to do soon.) Usually I plug it in when it's that cold, but sometimes I don't have a choice.

leolkfrm · 02-17-2009, 04:14 PM

another one terry, notice he never answered us?

12-27-2008, 12:19 PM	#1
lavmech23 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5	Please help 2003 dodge diesel issues I have alot of trouble getting it to start when its cold, at first i would keep it plugged in and it would start fine in the morning now after having it plugged in it just turns over, replaced the batteries and still having trouble any suggestions would be great.

12-27-2008, 12:51 PM	#2
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,197	welcome to the forum is your block heater still working? have you checked the glow plugs? not knowing where you are, are you using seasoned fuel with additives? when was the fuel filter changed last? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

02-17-2009, 02:57 PM	#4
terrywerm Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jordan, MN Posts: 6	I would start by checking a couple of things: First your block heater. When you plug it in or unplug it, you should see a bit of a spark and hear a quick crackling noise as you do so, especially when you unplug it. If you don't get either of those, you may need to replace your block heater cord, or the heater itself. Block heaters are generally pretty durable, and will last a very long time as long as they have not been overheated (left plugged in with REALLY low cooland level.) Make sure that your intake heater grids are working. The heaters themselves are pretty reliable, but each of the grids has its own relay. Make sure that the relays are energizing the grids. You can ususally tell if they are working correctly by watching your voltmeter closely for a few minutes after starting the engine cold. After starting you should see the volt meter drop from 14 down to about 12 volts and hang there for a little bit, then it will start to come back up to 14. It will cycle back and forth like this for several minutes. If the voltage does not drop at all, your intake heaters are not working and you will have to dig further to find out if the problem is with the relays or the heaters themselves. Not sure where you are located or how cold it gets there, but my 01 diesel RAM will normally start after sitting for ten to twelve hours, not plugged in, and temps around 0, and I still have my original factory batteries (they are in need of replacement, which I expect to do soon.) Usually I plug it in when it's that cold, but sometimes I don't have a choice. __________________ Terry Real trucks rattle! '01.5 Dodge Ram, QC, SB, 4x4, 5.9 CTD, 5 Spd '99 Dutchmen 30' 5th wheel '87 Jeep YJ, 6 cyl, 5 spd (project) Last edited by terrywerm; 02-17-2009 at 03:04 PM. Reason: Added content

02-17-2009, 04:14 PM	#5
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,197	another one terry, notice he never answered us? __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

12-27-2008, 05:07 PM	#3
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,127	are you cold enough to have to worry about diesel fuel gelling up? we have gelled up quite a bit of stuff here...... do you know if you are running a winter blend or not?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2003 Dodge A/C fan problems	russell8	Dodge Truck Forum	4	05-20-2008 08:53 PM
Electrical Issues 2003 GMC Yukon XL	Canuck78	GMC Truck Forum	0	03-12-2007 04:10 PM
2003 dodge ram 1500 sb,cc	marrsbarak	Dodge Truck Forum	0	12-19-2006 12:45 PM
2003 6.0 Diesel	Johnny Rotten	Ford Truck Forum	2	12-05-2006 03:20 PM