Hard to start

It sounds to me like you have typical Dodge Truck issue. What happens is when it sits all the gas drains out of the fuel line. This is caused by the check ball in the fuel pump sticking because of varnish. Try this trick to confirm it. When cold turn the ignition on BUT DON'T START. Just turn all the way on so the fuel pump will run. Turn it off and do this a second and third time. On the third time after 5 seconds go ahead and try to start. I'll bet it fires right up. If it does then my hunch is correct and it's an easy fix. Run two bottles of fuel cleaner with each full tank of gas for the next three or four tanks. This usually gets the varnish off the check ball. Then every so often run a bottle through the gas to keep it clean. Continue to use the trick to get gas back in your fuel lines when the truck is cold. The fuel pump doesn't run while starting because of the draw the starter pulls. So you have to "fill" the fuel lines back up until you get the varnish cleaned off of the check ball.

I should add when you turn the ignition on to run the fuel pump leave it on for 5 seconds before turning off to repeat the cycle.

I did the trick with the starter.. sure enough it started right up.. hate to run gas cleaner thru though. that's gonna be expensive and I don't trust stuff like that... I wonder if I could install a check valve in line right after the gas tank?

well, I did not want to put a lot of that "cleaner" stuff in my gas tank because it can cause the gaskets and seals to soften up. so, I installed a $7 check valve on the gas line right after the gas tank and it did the trick. starts right up. :)

My dodge has the same problem. I have to hold the key down for 3-6 seconds when starting it up. It's not just when it's cold, it's at random times. I tried the what you told Stuart to do, but I still have to hold the key down for 3-6 seconds. My battery, starter, and alternator are all good. I changed out my ignition switch, and lock.

Donnell did you get it fixed and if so how? Mine just started this after noon after I got off work and cashed my check then I went and had the battery alternator and starter checked they said it's all good! What do I do

Is there a faint knocking sound coming from the driver side of your engine?

I have an 01 ram that has a hard start and a faint knocking from the drivers side of the engine for 6 months now. Its had a complete tune up & its not the battery or the starter. Any suggestions?

Knocking sound on driver side of mine and it doesn't start right off the bat anymore at all except i first time in morning time

My 2000 Ram 1500 was turning over but not starting after sitting for, I'm guessing, at least 3 or 4 days (possibly longer though). It would start after about the 4th or 5th try, but meanwhile, in the times trying to start it, it made a strange sound after shutting the key off, almost like it was trying to start, and smoke was coming out of the air cleaner. I noticed a bit of oil in there too. Anyway, it's at my local mechanic's, and I mentioned this idea about it being varnish on the check ball, and how to prove it, and also the idea of a check valve on the fuel line being the solution. He's going to try that. Hopefully that fixes it.

Well, he installed the check valve, and it helped some but didn't get rid of the problem, so now he's going to replace the fuel pump.

My dodge wont start below 20 it just turns over a sec then quits i replaced the starter switch in col but still sMe prob can you help

my ram 1500 noticed that the rear axel seems to be moving upward when you put it in gear and hit the gas i know it should move a littel due to leaf spring but on the righjt side it put wear marks on the shock just a long strip like the rear end is moving to much

Donnell if there is a faint knock what was it what did you do man

My 2011 Dodge Ram is hard to start when cold. But when engine is warm there is no problem.

I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 my uncle has had it sitting for a couple years and I seem to have same issue. I had to replace fuel pum, gas tank, and flushed out all fluids. The main issues was he broke a lot of parts that had to replace including electrical harness leading to the computer (PCM). The truck starts as of today but after I shut it down it has a hard start. Sort of like something is hot but does start up after 10 min. Later. I have a you tube channel if there is anyone that can help.Andy Arriola

01 Ram 5.2 ltr Runs great, absolutely. When cold, say over night, engine cranks but doesn't want to start, battery drains after several attempts.So at this point I boost my truck after some cranking truck fires up, runs great and starts great once its warmed up...Fuel pump fine, starter cranks fine, problem only occurs when the truck is cold, as I've said once running there are no issues, any takers, please be on point. Regards

Engine coolant temp sensor fixed my issue. And it's only 18$ .I had the same problem on my 2002 Dodge ram 1500. Would not start in the cold weather, but had no issues when it was warm out.

Shane I have a dodge 2003 4.7 ram 1500 quad cab with the same exact issue did you find a solution.or can anyone else steer me in the right direction

I'm having the same issue. I also gave an '04 hemi. It's been to three different shops trying to figure out the issue. The last shop seems to think it's getting to much fuel. The fuel pressure has been checked and is good. Throsle body cleaned twice.

I’ve been having the same issue, tried Danny’s trick and fired right up. I might just replace my fuel pump and filter just to keep the issue down

Same issue with my 2016 ram it's a push start so once it starts cranking you cant stop it usually about 7 seconds before it starts. It only does it when it's hot outside and the truck sits for a few hours never in the morning or during the winter

I have a 2016 ram myself that just started doing the same thing and it is very hot outside nearly 100 I have started running fuel injection cleaner through it hoping that will help but mine if it sits for a few days it will not crank for about five or six seconds after that it runs fine.let me know if you take yours in and find out something different till then I will just keep running fuel injection cleaner in it I have not tried just powering on the ignition for about 5 or 10 seconds first to let the fuel pump pump some fuel yet to see if that helps I'm going to do it next time after it sits for a few days

I am having a similar problem. If the temperature is below 35 degrees, It won't start unless I put a heater under the fuel tank. Replaced the fuel pump, same problem. I may try a check valve between the pump and fuel rail

I have a 2001 Durango 4.7 L two-wheel drive I went and bought it today a good price because it needs a little bit of work over the next couple months which I'm fine with putting in but after I drove it for about an hour and started a couple times and testro it and got back do the salesman I shut it off and then started it and it when I come back out about five minutes later tried to start it it wouldn't start kept trying to start a kept trying to start it I thought maybe the fuel pump went I kept crying yet with the key off and on you know and after none of that worked I then open the Breather and sprayed some starting fluid in there and started it and was able to run it as long as I gave it a little bit to starting fluid every couple seconds for about 5 seconds so I thought for sure fuel pump. One more Hood engineering tactic I tried cuz I beat on the gas tank the bottom all of it probably about five strikes with the 16 oz hammer turned sideways and it started right up and does everytime I'm wondering if it's a loose wire a bad connection or maybe a bad harness maybe the fuel pumps going I need any help I'm pretty good with cars but I can't figure this one out please help ASAP thank you God bless!!!!!!!

It's the tipm it starts working intermittently and the fuel pump won't get power which cases it to start eventually .... same problem on most dodge vehicles....just buy a new or rebuilt one and have it installed 4/10/2020

What is the tipm?

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I changed out fuel pump transmission filter oil change and oil filter and accelerator wire and starter and dashlight all come on but no crank no noise from starting vehicle what may it be? I was told ignition.

I have a 2016 eco diesel dodge, changes the fuel pump and still won’t fire the fuel pump is not running when I turn the key. Any ideas?

I have a 2007 dodge ram 1500 5.7L Same problem. Mine shows no battery so I have to jump start it. Then battery shows charged. I changed the Tipm but same issue with the hard start. Sometimes it will start if I keep cranking it over for 15 seconds. Shut it off, same issue. I keep a charged battery jumper in the truck now. Had 3 garages check this truck and no one can figure it out