How can i make a Dodge 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel start in the cold besides plugging it in?

I have seen youtube videos of people who left their truck in the snow and they weren't plugged in but still start right up. How is that possible when the Dodge i'm talking about wont start in 60 degree weather?|||The engine may not have the compression or fuel pressure necessary, timed properly, or their is something wrong with the glow plugs. This truck has two fuel pumps. And primer, and glow plugs. The injector pump has high mileage, and the fuel pressure it it developes, is soo high normally, well, don't get into testing it without training. A diesel fuel leak can cut your skin, or worse, downright unhealthy. Thousands of pounds of pressure are measured. If the glow plugs aren't working properly it will make a big difference. They also get older, but won,t through a code that says, 'older and less efficient'. Code 911. Their renewed. Or cleaned up. The injectors are special calibration, they are replaced.


Is the Starting system fast enough? Two batteries are for starting system compression of two engines. Diesel engine and injector pump need high compression(normal) and must deliver specified fuel pressure. I remember some had problems, new, with these: PRIMER, AUX. PUMP, TIMING GEAR,INJECTOR PUMP, RECALL ON MANY PROBLEMS. SoRRY my one handed caps key is terrible. Good truck, but it is not like a big commercial application. I remember then the warranty was 10 months or 100,000 miles.


Test fuel pressure,before the injector pump, and Have your full available rail fuel pressure tested, by a professional diesel(small or large engine)) mechanic. AND YOUR ENGINE compression also. You may need to get a cold start kit from a store. Or a fuel additive.


Have a diesel tech. (truck mechanic) test it. or in a last effort, bring it to a dealership, at one time, the standard for Chrysler product service. But call around for one that has a tech. who also has Cummins Turbo Diesel specialized training. All Chrysler(Dodge) dealerships are required to have this type of service, or no diesel deliverys to them. In 94, anyway. With two good batteries, why not run your plug using a transformer, 120vAC to 12vDC, I'm sure it is already available, run it hot, key off only. Or all the time? I really thought that truck was good, pricey but good for light commercial use. Not cross country. A bit much smoke. Stick to a Dodge shop. They have larger exhaust hoses. Or any Cummins shop. Good bye.|||Everybody that says glow plugs is wrong. The Cummins turbo diesel does not now have or ever had glow plugs. It has an air intake heater between the intake pipe and manifold.

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|||You should be able to easily start in 60 degree weather.





There are a couple things you can do to try to figure out what is going on.





Your engine is one of the best Cummins engines ever made, its mechanically injected with a P7100 injection pump. Thats one of the best made, its engine oil lubricated and nearly bullet proof. Because of that you can also increase the power by a cam plate change, thats about a $200 item! Much cheaper than any programmers and stuff you need to upgrade newer engines!





Anyway, the mechanically injected trucks with the P7100 used a mechanical lift pump, operated off of a lobe on the cam. So you have to get the engine to spin to actually move fuel, not like the electric lift pumps of today.





One test you can do to determine if you have a fuel starvation issue is to try to prime it using the primer button located just above the starter. Give it a few good pumps and try to crank it if it does then you have a leak before the P7100 and are getting a little air in the system.





Also check out this post from the Diesel Truck Resource about the fuel line rotting. It can let a little air in the system and cause just what you're seeing. Check out the diagram of the engine showing the fuel line and the primer location. http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/n鈥?/a>





Consider joining the Diesel Truck Resource. It is a free site with free forums full of helpful individuals who have certainly had the same problems you have had and they're willing to help. Come join us and learn more about your truck and engine than you ever thought possible!





http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/





Hope this helps!|||Dodge has an option heater. But if U turn the key on and wait till the preheat coil goes out than it should start right up. Since it's a 94 best see it the fuel shut off is working it's behind the injection pump.The solenoid get's rusty and won't move see if it open and U will hear a click when U turn the key switch on.|||most diesels need heat of some type in cold weather there no way a round it pluging it in only cheapest way can park in inside with heat build a fire under it not wise glow plug not working fuel leak maybe dirty air filter but most do need to be pluged in at some point mine started getting hard to crank a round 40 degree|||Make sure you use synthetic oil, it makes a big difference in how your diesel will crank in cold weather. It should be able to start without being plugged in down to 0F|||Dodges will start in cold weather even if they are not pluged in. It sounds like your heater is not warming up in the intake manifold|||60 there is something wrong. my 01 cummins record is 10 degree not plugged in took 2 tries to start mine also has the 3 cyl high idle to insure faster warm up