My sons 98 cummins truck has an issue that I cant figure out It has always had an issue with not starting until the wait to start light goes out. Now there is no wts light coming on and cranks but won't start. I have checked all fuses changed out the ecm and taken a look at connections but I am now at the end of what I can think of! any ideas? I will say it was driven in to the trans shop but not out, I don't think that it is anything they did as it did a similar thing for a day or so last fall. after a day or so of looking it just started working again and no issues till now!

Is it a 12V or 24V cummins engine, any codes showing?

What shape are the batteries in?

24 v good batteries no codes

Did you use a code scanner or just turn the key?

I thought if the WTS light is NOT coming on is a sign of a internal memory error in the ECM and is having troubles getting booted up. Unless the bulb is burnt out. Are you sure the new ECM is good


Is it getting fuel to the filter? Confirm pressure with a mechanical gauge at the banjo bolt and bleed the pressure off through the top bolts on the filter canister to try to get it started.

It very well could be the lift pump. The VP44, injector pump, will run once started but it usually doesn't pull enough to get fuel to itself to start. But it will pull fuel once started.

The "new" ECM is off of a running truck, the lift pump is a fass fuel system and we have pressure. I don't have a code scanner but the trans shop tried it and when it would read (as it didn't always work) no codes were present. I am getting the feeling it is ignition switch or wiring related.

The trans shop did say that through the codes scanner they were able to test the grid heaters and both were working.
The local diesel performance shop is going to take a look at it if I cant come up with anything.

Well I will say I had lots of fun with wiring issues in my 98 Ram.

But a bad ignition switch won't suprise me.

Ok thanks just trying to see if I'm looking at real possible areas!

Are you getting a crank signal? you got no fuel if all else is there.

some people on the internet are talking about the connector corroding between computers on the firewall. Worth a try to look at it. I know the ECM was my problem when I had that issue.

Well we started from the beginning again cleaned and replaced all the battery connections,then went to the fuses and tested them all, fixed a couple hokey backyard engineered repairs from the previous owner and then started some diagnosis.. and found a missing fuse!! I am going to assume that I removed it in the cramped location in the tranny shop and must have not gotten it back in the hole well and it fell out or somehow I never put it back in!!! now I'm sure that was not the original issue but a side effect of my looking into the first no crank issue! But IT RUNS!!!! and as a side benefit now we should have no battery contact problems!! ECM still seems screwy but that is for a later date!