So about two weeks ago I needed to replace the alternator and starter on my Durango so I did. Now two weeks later this happens randomly, I’ll get in to start it and it doesn’t start on the first try and the engine light comes on. Then on the second try of starting it, it works. So I’m not sure what’s going on could something be loose that they fixed and that’s why it’s causing it not to start right away sometimes?
Scoy0303
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So about two weeks ago I needed to replace the alternator and starter on my Durango so I did. Now two weeks later this happens randomly, I’ll get in to start it and it doesn’t start on the first try and the engine light comes on. Then on the second try of starting it, it works. So I’m not sure what’s going on could something be loose that they fixed and that’s why it’s causing it not to start right away sometimes?
Not a real clear description here. Fuel pump? Try putting it in Run for a few seconds with your foot off the brake to prime the fuel system.
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Hi Scoy0303,
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Ariel
Dodge Cares
Why were the alternator AND starter replaced?
I was out and turned off my car to go in the store and on the way out it wouldn’t start at all so I had it towed and they said starter and alternator needed replaced
So you’re saying start it with my foot off the brake then push the brake down and start it? because when i try to start it sometimes with the brake pushed in it does not start on the first attempt but turns on everything inside then on the second attempt with the brake pushed in it starts. I’m getting it scanned tomorrow to see as the engine light came on yesterday. Sorry I’m not very knowledgeable in this
Push the start button with your foot off the brake which will put it in RUN and cycle the pump. Release the start after a few seconds and then push the brake and the start button as normal and see if that starts it.
The car has been starting every time it’s just sometimes it makes me start it twice but I will try it when I’m off work thank you it’s just weird this started happening after I got the starter and alternator replaced that’s why maybe something could be loose? But honestly I have no idea
By the bye, you got hosed on either your starter or your alternator. They rarely go out at the same time and are unrelated in the circuitry. I would believe a battery and alternator or starter and battery though.
Damn that’s why I need more knowledge on this I’ll update when I get it scanned tomorrow and see what it says sucks because this happened before a 3 hour trip I’m taking tomorrow
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Scoy:
Was the alternator/starter nonsense at a Dodge dealer? If so, right back there I would go, and firmly reminding them you spent some pretty big bucks on their "diagnosis", and that they need to do more work on their dime.
You paid to have a problem resolved, and they have not accomplished that.
What they did, was shotgun a couple of parts at your expense hoping it would cure the issue.
Dealer repairs have a 12mo/12k warranty, so they need to do what you paid them for!
Don
Was the alternator/starter nonsense at a Dodge dealer? If so, right back there I would go, and firmly reminding them you spent some pretty big bucks on their "diagnosis", and that they need to do more work on their dime.
You paid to have a problem resolved, and they have not accomplished that.
What they did, was shotgun a couple of parts at your expense hoping it would cure the issue.
Dealer repairs have a 12mo/12k warranty, so they need to do what you paid them for!
Don
So the alternator and starter both died at the same time. Hear what I am saying . . . they usually both do not go bad at the same time.
Hopefully they were actually changed. Needed or not, you got new ones under warranty. See what I did there, I found a positive.
However, a dead battery can make you think a starter is bad. So, hopefully a charged battery is not what really fixed the problem due to an accessory left plugged into the 115V inverter overnight. Sorry, I could not help it. I try to be positive.
Also, the above issues have nothing to do with your delayed startup issue that resolves itself with two startup attempts.
The need to have two prime or start cycles could be caused by a few things. I would have them start with checking your fuel pressure at startup.
If they do a prime cycle like Tin Foil Hat suggested, they should see the pressure build to 58psi and hopefully it will hold for some time. If it is dropping immediately after the prime cycle, then it is bleeding off the pressure. The pressure regulator, fuel pump check valves, and injectors all try to hold the pressure when the pump is turned off but the seals are not perfect and eventually they will leak down over time. Larger or faster pressure leaks usually start with the pump check valve or pressure regulator in the tank. The two prime or start cycles is usually a workaround for this.
The age of the pump, pump supply voltage, fuel filters, gas contaminates, and low tank fuel level operation all can affect pump performance and reduce the pressure build up speed needed before each start cycle, especially if you have leak down. Also, with the heat of the engine bay, some vapors may form in the fuel rails that may take time to purge.
A stuck open check-valve on the fuel pump will only affect the pressure holding when the pump is not running. Once the car is started, it is not a problem. Some performance pumps eliminate the check valve as it can be a restriction. The same goes for the pressure regulator in the tank fuel pump assembly or basket. However, if the pressure regulator leak gets really bad, it could be and indication that the pressure regulator is beginning to fail. I had two of them fail where my car would not start at all because the pressure would not go above 20psi. You need a minimum of 40-42 psi to start the vehicle and it may require starter fluid at that low pressure to get it going.
Unfortunately, the fuel system prime cycle time cannot be increase from 3 seconds and most people will not fully utilize the prime cycle and will press the brake before hitting the start button and not wait 2 seconds of prime time before hitting the brake to start the crank cycle.
Other mechanical and electrical components can also affect the start. However, I recommend looking at the fuel pressure first before listing every other possible cause. Hope this helps!
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