Hi everyone. I have a new problem with my '99 HR endeavor that I need to get sorted out. I have a new problem that just started with the engine yesterday. So here goes...Got up to the fuel pump, shut it off and fueled up. Came back in to start it up and it usually cranks for about a second before starting. It cranked for about 5 seconds before it actually started. Weird.Thought really nothing of it until I got up to the lake. Pulled in, shut the engine down and five minutes later a better spot opened up so we wanted to move. Except for now the engine would just crank and crank without firing. So I tried several times cranking for maybe 30 seconds, give it a break for a few minutes and try it again. Still just cranks. I went to drain the fuel/water separator but only diesel came out, no water. Plus, the generator was running the whole time so I know it's not the fuel. Came back in, bumped the key a few times and nothing. So I turned the key on again, this time did not wait for all the warning lights to go out, and bam, it started.Fast forward to leaving the lake today...started just fine. Drove it home 30 miles and parked it to clean it out. An hour later, went to move it to dump the sewer and had the same problem twice more before I was able to park it in my building. So what gives? Has anyone had this problem? Could it be a fuel relay or solenoid? Acts like it's not getting any fuel.

There is probably a wire about a #10 or #12 Ga coming from a positive terminal of the cranking battery that goes to a solenoid for starting the engine. This wire has an inline fuse in it usually located close to the batteries. The inline fuse is not air or liquid tight and if it is to close to the batteries it will corrode and get crudded up from the batteries gassing during charge. This connection keeps getting dirtier and dirtier until it will start giving an intermittent engine cranking problem until it finally shuts things down permanently. If this is your problem; install a new wire and fuse further downstream from the battery.

Not sure when the ISB went electronic like the ISC did in 1998. If you have the p7100 injection pump the shut off solenoid gives trouble but you can manually move it. Have someone turn the key on while you watch, even helping it to move and it should start. $50 fix if that's what's wrong.

It has the bosch VP-44 injection pump.

My 2001 dodge 1 ton diesel had a starting problem. It stated fine when the engine was cold but after driving and the engine got hot it would turn over (crank) but not start. A diesel engine has to turn over to a certain RPM to start. One dealership told me it was weak batteries (I have 2ea). Replaced the batteries, same problem. Another shop told me the injector pump may be going bad. The shop that finally figured out the problem found the starter was dragging just enough to keep the necessary RPM from being achieved and starting. Replaced the starter and problem solved.

Before the shop that found the dragging starter (when hot) problem another shop had told me when you have the problem if you can pour water on the injector pump to cool it off. If it starts then, that points to the injector pump. You might "if you have time and want to" take a water spray bottle and crawl under and spray the starter to cool it down, then try it. Best way is to take it to someone who can test/measure the cranking RPM when it is hot.

'99 Cummins ISB Diesel engine won't start. | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

lc0338
Explorer
Jul 26, 2015
I'm wondering if the OP ever discovered what the problem was. It would be nice to know for future troubleshooting
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jul 02, 2015
I have two, one near the steering column up front and one in the engine compartment.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
Where on my coach would I find the plug to diagnose the engine codes? Is it an OBDII style plug or something different?
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jul 02, 2015
Thanks for the heads up. By transfer pump, are you referring to a lift pump? If so, I have been doing some reading and thinking about replacing that stock lift pump with an air dog setup for around $600, and install it myself. I know all about the piece of******VP44 injection pump. The part from cummins is $2700 before installation.
bdjrv
Explorer
Jul 01, 2015
All the suggestions have merit, but only by reading the engine codes will you know what is happening. I have same engine and it has a design problem in that the injection pump uses about 70% of the fuel to cool the injection pump, coupled with a inferior transfer pump and you have a possible problem waiting to happen. Cummins replaced 5 yes 5 transfer pumps and 5 injector pumps under warranty. Failure to start was the problem each time. If you do research up the Dodge pickup trucks with the Cummins engine you will find many went to a electric transfer pump for this problem. I switched when warranty expired and am happy I did.
lc0338
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
glamisorbust wrote:
I am going to have the batteries load tested. I have had the coach for almost a year now and never had this issue. Maybe you're right about the batteries or starter. Gonna check them out.

Save yourself some money and have the engine tested to verify it is turning over fast enough to build compression. If you load test the batteries and find they are a little weak you will buy batteries like I did but then end up with the same problem (maybe). If you start out and have someone test the RPM. Most diesel engines need to have a minimum rpm of 150 to build adequate compression to start. If the batteries are a little weak you can add jumper cables with the help of another vehicle to get adequate 12volt power. Even somewhat weaken batteries will turn over the starter but if the starter is dragging (and by dragging, I'm not talking about the normal sound of weak or dead batteries). I'm talking an RPM of 120 versus 150. I could not tell by ear my starter was dragging. If with jumper cables and help of additional 12 volt power it will not start hot you can rule out batteries.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2015
I am going to have the batteries load tested. I have had the coach for almost a year now and never had this issue. Maybe you're right about the batteries or starter. Gonna check them out.
lc0338
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
glamisorbust wrote:
The starter turns the engine over. It's not a battery or starter problem. I believe the engine is not getting fuel. From everyone I have talked to and read online, it could be a bad fuel pump solenoid. I gotta do some investigating to find out what's really going on. Thanks everyone.

When hot my starter turned the engine over. The problem is a diesel engine has to turn over fast enough to build the correct compression. My starter was working as the engine was turning over but it was "Drraagggggging" to keep the required RPM from being achieved. If you want to discount it fine.
glamisorbust
Explorer II
Jun 28, 2015
The starter turns the engine over. It's not a battery or starter problem. I believe the engine is not getting fuel. From everyone I have talked to and read online, it could be a bad fuel pump solenoid. I gotta do some investigating to find out what's really going on. Thanks everyone.
Vulcan_Rider
Explorer
Jun 28, 2015
Passin Thru wrote:
Starter Solenoid. KISS is what they teach mechanics. Keep it simple.

That would be good advice except I think he reports that most of the time it will turn over but not fire. THAT kind of problem is NOT caused by a bad solenoid......most likely.

A fuel pressure test while it is failing should rule in/out the fuel pump.

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'99 Cummins ISB Diesel engine won't start.

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