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2011 Ram 1500 hard starting (cold) #3118544
02/03/23 11:05 AM
02/03/23 11:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,016
Morningside
AdventurerSport Offline OP
waaaay out there in left field
AdventurerSport  Offline OP
waaaay out there in left field

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,016
Morningside
Good morning, friends, and Happy Friday!

I'm having some minor issues with my 2011 Ram 1500 5.7L starting hard recently. It has been VERY cold lately (last few mornings, 5 degrees, 7 degrees, and -5 degrees). I have a 3 car garage but 6 cars, so my daily driver (the aforementioned Ram) sits outside.
I've had this truck since new (11/04/11) and no issues so far. 154,727 miles this morning. I have had regular service, oil changes, Valvoline Full Synthetic 5W20, transmission serviced, etc.
Before I take this into the dealership, what do you think?

-truck is equipped with "tip-start", FYI. No remote start. I step in, pop in the key and hit the start and she usually pops off on the 2nd crank.
Last week, she just cranked and cranked and cranked 7 or 8 times before I stopped the key. Then, I tried again, and she started on the 2nd crank. Drives perfectly.
This happened a couple of more times (wouldn't start on the first attempt, cranked 7 or 8 times, then stopped, and tried again, started right up). I figured that it's because it's so cold.

This morning, getting ready to go to work, she does it again. Cranks 7 or 8 times, no fire. I stop, try again...and she still won't start! I tried 4 or 5 times and on the 5th time (or so) she fired up.
What does everyone think? Injectors? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pressure Regulator? Any ideas appreciated, I'll have her go to the doctor (Dealership) next week for a diagnosis, just thought I may get some ideas here.

Thank you!

JS


76 Dodge Adventurer Sport Power Wagon W100 318, 727, NP203 Fulltime 4x4 Russet Red
06 Jeep Commander Ltd 4x4, 5.7L Hemi, QuadraDrive II
06 Chrysler 300C AWD 5.7L Hemi
10 Mopar 10 Challenger R/T, #483/500, 5.7L HEMI
10 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd 4x4 5.7L HEMI
11 Dodge Ram 1500 LoneStar Quad Cab, 5.7L HEMI, Fulltime 4x4, Deep Cherry Red
16 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2L Pentastar V6, 9 Speed Torqueflite, 4x4, Black

Re: 2011 Ram 1500 hard starting (cold) [Re: AdventurerSport] #3118589
02/03/23 01:02 PM
02/03/23 01:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
3hundred Offline
I Live Here
3hundred  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
Originally Posted by AdventurerSport
What does everyone think? Injectors? Fuel Pump? Fuel Pressure Regulator? Any ideas appreciated, I'll have her go to the doctor (Dealership) next week for a diagnosis, just thought I may get some ideas here.

Thank you!

JS


My guess, fuel pump, mostly because the wife's Durango fuel pump failed (~75,000 miles) last May. I've no idea how they diagnosed it, by the time I got to the dealer they had a bunch of wires loose of the fuse block and a multi meter hooked up under the hood. If not for the lifetime warranty gold plan, cost would have been ~ $800.00.

This one failed as being on a trip, no problems, one day go out to start it cold, it starts slowly, idles rough for a second, smoothed out. Thought it odd, turned it off, restarted, took several seconds to start, idled roughly and didn't smooth out. Stupidly I try once more, no start. On a hook to the dealer it goes. Dealer says the pump is noisy, I never heard a thing, but I'm old, and married...


'68 Fury Convertible
'69 300 Convertible
'15 Durango 5.7 Hemi
'16 300 S Hemi
Re: 2011 Ram 1500 hard starting (cold) [Re: 3hundred] #3118712
02/03/23 08:13 PM
02/03/23 08:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
poorboy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
Still have the OEM battery? Or even a battery near the end of the battery warranty time frame? Cold weather draws down some battery reserves, then add things like a cold motor and more stiff oil, and you can create a starting issue. After a few cranks, the oil is loosened up, and the battery has warmed up just a little from the cranking. Turning the key off then back on gave it another shot of gas by reactivating the injectors. You went from the perfect storm to just enough.
I'd start with the condition of the battery, then test the starter for draw. Things like how many miles are on the plugs, and how long its been since the oil was changed add up. As the temp drops, little things add up fast.

My low mileage Dakota 4x4 experienced the same thing having to turn the key off, then try the second time for it to start, when our temps got in the -10 range. A new starter solved my problem. Higher draw numbers when the temps dropped. As soon as the new starter was on, you could hear how much faster the motor was turning over, and the starting issue was gone. My 8 year old battery tested good, sure surprised me!







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