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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

96 Dodge diesel won't run.

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dirtfarmer

03-05-2008 05:07:19




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I have a 96 dodge diesel I just bought it from a local man. When I go to start it in the morning it will not run you have to rev the motor up to 1800 for it to stay running, then when you let off the throttle it spits and sputters and will stall until it is warmed up. The man who owned it before me said the fuel sending unit is bad because the fuel guage doesn't work, and the fuel light is on, I was wondering if it was the sending unit or fuel filters causing it to run so bad.Any other suggestions on what might be causing this? Thanks in advance.

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mike diesel

03-08-2008 08:10:21




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
Check these things

Lift Pump
Fuel lines From Tank to Engine
Check valve in return line on Inj. Pump
Also broken pick up unit in tank.

I"ve found the fuel lines that go over top of trany to engine will some times have holes rubbed in them.



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Hoss in ME

03-05-2008 16:37:43




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
Were junk when when new[I had one].Got rid of it.Got a 82 1/2 ton chevy with a 350 4spd. Hoss



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HeyPigFarmer

03-05-2008 15:18:16




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
I'll agree with Bill46 100%. They are great trucks. That last one I parted out, in the picture above, typical old man Michigan truck. He kept the outside polished and clean, let the salt eat away the under side. There was a hole in the floor so big you could throw a black lab through it, the seat was resting on the center hump in the floor and the frame was cracked in one spot and rusted through in 4 others. Plus the tranny was bad. Now I have a good 5.9 sitting around with only 120K on it.

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Bill46

03-05-2008 11:20:32




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
There is no electric pump on a 96 as he said. If it runs good after warm up, it's not plugged filters.
Don't fret about the fuel sender...that gets replaced about every 40 thousand miles...almost like clockwork. There is supposed to be a better sending unit out there...but I have not found it yet.
Look under it in the morning as see if you have a little fuel on the ground. Don't worry about a few drops of oil from the vent tube, that is normal.
It sounds to me like it is either the fuel return line from the back of the pump to the fuel tank. The old rubber tends to leak after awhile. When it does you loose prime and it gets hard to start. At least you can still start it without having to prime the system. Or, you have a bad or sticking checkvalve in the line on the back front corner of the fuel injection pump. It sets in a banjo type fitting on the back of the pump.
Now...some other things to look out for when you get this fixed...throttle cable will wear if a modified one from Dodge has not been installed. Look at where the cable hooks on the throttle linkage. You can tell the new one because it will have a plastic sleeve on the end of it.
Next, find a good Cummins mechanic and get the timing checked. Most 94 thru 98 and a half have slipped about 10 degrees on the fuel pump gear.
The horrible timing gear cover dowel pin. It comes out and will shatter the front timing cover. Hopefully someone has had this fixed already.
Carry an extra fuel shutdown relay in the glove box...right next to the extra headlight switch if you pull a trailer a lot.
Shes a fine vehicle if you do just a few things to her. Mine has over 288,000 on her now and has never let me down. I like it better than the new ones and get a lot better fuel mileage.
If you ever have questions...post them here. There are a lot of good folks on here.
Depending where you live, I personally know a great diesel mechanic that retired from Cummins had he can really make them perform.
Good luck with her.

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Tramway Guy

03-05-2008 06:30:06




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
You either not getting enough fuel, or you are getting air sucked in with the fuel. I had a '96 diesel and had fuel line problems...it behaved much like you suggest.



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dieselpup

03-05-2008 06:14:16




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
Sending unit should not affect how it runs when cold. The one in my '91 Cummins hasn't worked in years and it runs fine. Change your filter first and the then check on the lift pump. Turbo Diesel Register is a great place to get info on those trucks if you are still having problems. If you want to replace the sending unit it isn't hard, we replaced one on my cousin's '96 last fall. Just make sure you have the tank almost empty so it is light when you drop it out. You'll be glad you did.

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HeyPigFarmer

03-05-2008 06:05:58




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
A 1996 Cummins/Dodge will not have an electrical lift pump so don't listen for a humming noise, it won't happen. It uses a mechanical lift pump on the lower rear drivers side of the block.
I would start with the fuel filter, it's cheap.
Next thing I would check is your grid heater. This is on the elbow that dumps into the head/intake. If it runs fine and does not surge when warm, that is most likely what I would think it is. Like most electrical things, they are also known for going bad from age. Try plugging it in for a night, if it starts and runs fine in the morning it's a heat issue.

Next I would check your fuel system for air in the line. You would need a foot or two of clear 5/16" hose, and a double barb fitting. At the rear of the engine on the drivers side there is a suction and return line, the return is smaller than the suction on most years. If your's isn't than you will need 3/8" hose and barb. But pull off your return line where the steel meets the rubber, put the piece of plastic hose in there, start the truck and look at the fuel to see if there is air in there. If there is air in the return line (the fuel will not be clear) than I would check my fuel heater, those are known for causing air leaks since they are on the suction side of the system. Another thing this will cause is a bit of surging when there is no load on the engine at an idle.
Just about every Dodge diesel from that era the fuel gauge doesn't work. It doesn't effect any other part of the operation of the truck. I've parted a few of these trucks out. Any other questions just ask.
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Luke S

03-05-2008 05:48:47




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
Sounds pretty much like most all the 94'-98.5' P-Pumped 12-valve Cummins'. Try bumping up the idle just a hair, that may help. Once it gets warmer out it won't do it. Those trucks were notorious for the bad fuel gauge sending unit, it was a very common problem.



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Gene Dotson

03-05-2008 05:35:40




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 Re: 96 Dodge diesel won't run. in reply to dirtfarmer, 03-05-2008 05:07:19  
Sounds like you have a bad lift pump. Raise the hood and momentarily turn key to start position then listen for a humming sound behind the injection pump. That was the symptons and cure for my 1998 Cummins... Gene



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