My '95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

[NatRT10]

My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Is it normal to crank 3 or 4 times before starting up? It runs totally fine once it gets running, but it takes 3 or 4 cranks to get started. Is that normal or could it be a potential problem? Could the battery be the culprit?

 

[joe117]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

From cold, if you turn the key to "on" and listen, do you hear the fuel pump buzz and then stop when it comes up to pressure?
If you wait till the pump stops buzzing before you crank the engine, does that make it start easier?

 

[NatRT10]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Yes, there is a buzz from the fuel pump. It doesn't make a difference if I wait until the buzzing stops or not.

If for one reason or another, this car still has the original plugs and wires, could that make it do this?

 

[jcaspar1]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Try cycing the key no/off 3 or 4 times. If it starts right up it is likely to be the check valve in the fuel pump module. My 97 has this problem. Fuel pressure drops to less than 20 within 7 seconds with engine off. With zero pressure, one cycle of the key only raises the pressure to about 20psi. It takes 3-4 to reach 55.

 

[Silver Snake]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Try cycing the key no/off 3 or 4 times. If it starts right up it is likely to be the check valve in the fuel pump module. My 97 has this problem. Fuel pressure drops to less than 20 within 7 seconds with engine off. With zero pressure, one cycle of the key only raises the pressure to about 20psi. It takes 3-4 to reach 55.

My car is the exact same. I have not tried cycling the key on and off as you suggested, but I will tonight. My question is, if it starts right up, what is envolved in replacing the check valve?

Thanks
Mark

 

[NatRT10]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

I'll try that and see if it works. Is that something that can fail completely over time amd eventually the car will not start at all? I would imagine that the check valve is part of the fuel pump assembly and Dodge will only sell the fuel pump as a whole. Which I'm sure wouldn't be cheap.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Try cycing the key no/off 3 or 4 times. If it starts right up it is likely to be the check valve in the fuel pump module. My 97 has this problem. Fuel pressure drops to less than 20 within 7 seconds with engine off. With zero pressure, one cycle of the key only raises the pressure to about 20psi. It takes 3-4 to reach 55.

My car is the exact same. I have not tried cycling the key on and off as you suggested, but I will tonight. My question is, if it starts right up, what is envolved in replacing the check valve?

Thanks
Mark

I am with the majority, the fuel pump check vavle is allowing the pressure to bleed off. I had this problem as well(same exact simptoms) and replaced the fuel pump. Mine was under warranty. If I had to pay, cost would have exceeded $1300 for the pump and labor. Not cheap. If you're mechanically inclined, it would make a nice winter "project". Some have just lived with it, as it only affects you during the startup cycle after a long sit.

 

[NatRT10]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

I am with the majority, the fuel pump check vavle is allowing the pressure to bleed off. I had this problem as well(same exact simptoms) and replaced the fuel pump. Mine was under warranty. If I had to pay, cost would have exceeded $1300 for the pump and labor. Not cheap. If you're mechanically inclined, it would make a nice winter "project". Some have just lived with it, as it only affects you during the startup cycle after a long sit.

For $1300, I think I'll live with it!

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Someone once posted that since the V10 crank is not even fire, the ECU needs at least a full revolution to know the exact crank position and begin firing the injectors. My '94 has had the extended crankiness since I got it in '98, it's been same way ever since. I've done the same deal with key-on fuel pump-up pressure, and it never made a difference. Always started.

 

[Larry Macedo]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

$1,300.00? WOW! I think full retail for the module is roughly $500 and the labor couldn't be more than $300 tops plus maybe a fuel pressure and diagnostic test. I wish I could charge prices like that...

 

[GR8_ASP]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

My 95 starts quite quickly. Not sure how many rotations but it is nearly instantaneous. If the crank time is extended check for fault codes like camshaft sensor, which would provide the condition Tom alludes to. However, I believe that a faulty cam sensor would leave it in limp home mode.

My guess is the fuel pump check valve. I have heard access to the fuel pump is a *****. Good luck.

 

[scottgf]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

Mine does it too....no big deal....always starts fine
Cheers,

 

[99 R/T 10]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

$1,300.00? WOW! I think full retail for the module is roughly $500 and the labor couldn't be more than $300 tops plus maybe a fuel pressure and diagnostic test. I wish I could charge prices like that...

Hey Larry, When mine was done, the bill showed $600 for the pump assembly and $650 for the labor. On mine he had to tear out the back covering (front side of the trunk) and replace with a new one. I couldn't believe it either and if I had to do it without the assistance of the warranty, I would have lived with the problem.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Re: My \'95 cranks 3 or 4 times before it fires up. Normal?

$1,300.00? WOW! I think full retail for the module is roughly $500 and the labor couldn't be more than $300 tops plus maybe a fuel pressure and diagnostic test. I wish I could charge prices like that...

I'd like to charge prices like that too, but I like sleeping at night!

Fuel Pump Module 92-96 RT-10 #4746404 MSRP $600.00
Under Warranty DC pays a Dealer 1.5 hrs [NFW!!]. If everything goes right - 3.5 hrs?