2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
#2022617
03/01/16 03:29 PM
03/01/16 03:29 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
skicker
OP
"The Champ"
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OP
"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
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This had been an ongoing problem for about 2 years. Truck won't start if its below about 50 degree's. I keep it plugged in now with no problems. I've had two separate injectors replaced at two different times...with testing fuel pressures and doing the diagnostic work it ended up $1200 one trip and $1500 the next.  I've always had fuel filters changed on 7,500 mile increments. It recently acquired what feels like a dead spot in the gas pedal. Is there a throttle positioning switch that could cause this? I know its got 1 or more injectors acting up again. What options are out there for injectors to replace stock items? I'm really not interested in adding power now to a 245,000 mile engine. $3500-4000.00 at the dealership just isn't an option...
...FAFO...
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2022820
03/01/16 10:13 PM
03/01/16 10:13 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
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Killed one in my 03 a couple of months ago $475 for the injector, and $400 to find it....
I now have another going....started out same issue as your having.
The fuel has no lubricity anymore since they removed the sulfer, and I was thinking as it was in my '98 they just plumb wore out and had too much fuel which it was tough to start, but would idle like a stinking locomotive.....Smoke everywhere at idle.
But the '03, I have, and what you have probably don't suffer from worn out injectors, but some other issue. I was reading something the other day, and I have a question, do you use a programmer?
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2022953
03/02/16 01:16 AM
03/02/16 01:16 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
HotRodDave
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,419
Kalispell Mt.
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Two injectors cost as much as my whole gas burner 03 truck, now I remember why I don't buy diesels.
On a more serious note as a repair shop owner we do a lot of injectors from 98+ cummins but not near as many as the isuzu and international V8s and they are way more labor to replace. I think it has to do with a lack of routine filter replacement, filter quality as well as junk fuel.
Someone with a scanner that can do more than read codes can watch the throttle reading through it's travel, my scanner will let me watch it on a graph, just slowly press it and watch for the line to go all the way up and down smoothly. I have had to replace a couple for that reason.
I am not causing global warming, I am just trying to hold off a impending Ice Age!
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2022998
03/02/16 03:14 AM
03/02/16 03:14 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,257
fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,257
fredericksburg,va
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Get the duel filter kit, Google Cummins filter kit, read up on diesel forums about the problems with stock filter. Injectors will stop up with 4 microns, stock filters only filter 7-10. Just put kit on my truck, nice 2 micron filter and water separator. Cummins wanted these filters but Dodge wouldn't do it, if Cummins recommends these, they're liable if engine fails, so all they do is suggest. A lot of info on the diesel forums. Be warned through, if "any" alterations, warranty is voided, even if they do save the injectors and pumps.
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: cudaman1969]
#2023130
03/02/16 01:13 PM
03/02/16 01:13 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
skicker
OP
"The Champ"
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OP
"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
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No programmer on mine. I thought any mods would shorten the overall lifespan and I intended on it lasting as long as possible. My idle has always gone up and down since day one but I've never seen any smoke. I ordered mine new...it came in with 8 miles on the odometer. I had 42,600 miles on it 365 days later...It may only get 12-15K a year put on it now. Never any modifications and only dealer replacement of fuel system components...less filter. Anyone else ever figure how much they truly spent on fuel? I did the math a while back...  Right now mine is within 1K of what I spent on the truck based on an average cost of diesel at 2.75 a gallon... 
...FAFO...
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2024209
03/04/16 01:02 AM
03/04/16 01:02 AM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
Dragula
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,387
Taxes & Virus's R-US, NY
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No programmer on mine. I thought any mods would shorten the overall lifespan and I intended on it lasting as long as possible. My idle has always gone up and down since day one but I've never seen any smoke. I ordered mine new...it came in with 8 miles on the odometer. I had 42,600 miles on it 365 days later...It may only get 12-15K a year put on it now. Never any modifications and only dealer replacement of fuel system components...less filter. Anyone else ever figure how much they truly spent on fuel? I did the math a while back... Right now mine is within 1K of what I spent on the truck based on an average cost of diesel at 2.75 a gallon... Well, mine has 175k on it, and I do run a programmer. I had read some can damage the injectors....I have put 35k on it with a programmer, and until last October, no issues. So I do not know. I would like to replace all six with the +60hp injectors, but these are way more costly than my '98 was. Maybe they just have a certain life span, dunno yet.
Last edited by Dragula; 03/04/16 01:02 AM.
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: Dragula]
#2024278
03/04/16 03:11 AM
03/04/16 03:11 AM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
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Be sure to buy new quality brand injectors. Not the remanufactuted ones.
And adding extra filters will help. First mod I did was add an auxiliary filter and I use the Cummins filters that filter to 2 microns.
Changed at every oil change. The stock filter cartridge looks like a used engine oil filter every time. Diesel fuel sure is dirty crap. And I don't add anything to the fuel... So it's the fuel that's turning the element black.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: 70Cuda383]
#2024439
03/04/16 01:35 PM
03/04/16 01:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
skicker
OP
"The Champ"
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OP
"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
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Its unbelievable how black the filters get in about 7,000 mile. The refining process definitely isn't what it is for other fuels...
If I decide to change all 6 to the +60hp ones does that require a programmer?
...FAFO...
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2024465
03/04/16 02:24 PM
03/04/16 02:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,146
Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,146
Mesa, Arizona
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At 100k miles I started using the Hotshots stiction eliminator. Started with the oil and fuel. The 5.9 is now at 206k and has never run any better. Oh, my rig is a 2007 2500 with the 5.9. Does a lot OD stop and go and since we relocated to Mesa Az a lot of freeway miles. As a side note I use the Wix filters and they are changed at about every 5000 miles.
“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”
Abe Lincoln
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2024954
03/05/16 01:03 PM
03/05/16 01:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
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I'm still learning about diesel tuning. It seems that it's not as sensitive to fuel ratios as gasoline, and that fuel ratio can be anywhere as long as your EGTs are in check.
That said, more fuel... Doing anything to add more air too? If not, I'm not sure more fuel will add more power.
**Photobucket sucks**
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2025464
03/06/16 02:06 AM
03/06/16 02:06 AM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,525
Louisville, KY
E-Ticket
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,525
Louisville, KY
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This had been an ongoing problem for about 2 years. Truck won't start if its below about 50 degree's. I keep it plugged in now with no problems. I've had two separate injectors replaced at two different times...with testing fuel pressures and doing the diagnostic work it ended up $1200 one trip and $1500 the next. I've always had fuel filters changed on 7,500 mile increments. It recently acquired what feels like a dead spot in the gas pedal. Is there a throttle positioning switch that could cause this? I know its got 1 or more injectors acting up again. What options are out there for injectors to replace stock items? I'm really not interested in adding power now to a 245,000 mile engine. $3500-4000.00 at the dealership just isn't an option... What is your zip code and who has been doing your diagnostic work??
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: E-Ticket]
#2026151
03/07/16 12:06 AM
03/07/16 12:06 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
skicker
OP
"The Champ"
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OP
"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
|
21502 Dodge dealership has done everything that has been done. The tech is supposed to be pretty good on diesels... 
...FAFO...
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2029235
03/11/16 03:36 PM
03/11/16 03:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,930
Waynesboro PA 17268
RODHALL
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,930
Waynesboro PA 17268
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21502 Dodge dealership has done everything that has been done. The tech is supposed to be pretty good on diesels... I am not very big on dealerships... most only have one guy who works on diesels they tend to pay him poorly.. change the oil put 5000 miles on it pull a an oil sample.. have it analised, if there is fuel in the oil you have an injector stuck open... take a temp gun and check to see if all cyl are heating up the same as it warms up...a cold cyl will show a stuck closed injector.. here is where I go... Try http://antrimdiesel.com/
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2029463
03/11/16 10:48 PM
03/11/16 10:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,525
Louisville, KY
E-Ticket
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,525
Louisville, KY
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On the contrary.....up until a few years ago....we had one of the best diesel technicians in our area for a couple of decades but unfortunately, we lost him to the God Squad.... Steve was one of the best...and worked at our dealership since the doors opened. We had dealerships from surrounding cities, counties and sometimes states, ship their complicated problems to us for Steve to look at.... ANYWAY......take your injectors out and ship them to Terre Haute, IN and let these guys check them out for you.... www.scheiddiesel.comOR...at least give them a call.... Don't be afraid to take your business out of state because the best or next to the best isn't always in your home town.... 
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Re: 2003 Ram 3500 5.9 Injecter issues...
[Re: skicker]
#2030397
03/13/16 06:35 PM
03/13/16 06:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
skicker
OP
"The Champ"
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OP
"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,102
Western Md.
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Turns out P-2121 and P-2122 both reference the TPS malfunctioning. They ordered a new one Friday. That should take care of the dead spot. Another 8 Benjamins flushed away... With trying to get my garage under roof this summer I'm not spending anything else on this for now. I think for the fall I may have Antrim just replace all 6 injectors and be done with all the aggravation...
...FAFO...
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