Hard to start and low power

[mapleridge]

My 96 k3500 is hard to start both cold and warm with cold the worst. I'll start with the symptoms. The check engine light is on, but I don't have the codes yet. To start it cold, I need to hold the pedal to the floor for several 10 second intervals before it starts to fire. At first it will fire and stall. after that it will start but stay around 900 RPMs reguardless of pedal position. After about 15 or 20 seconds it then runs normal, with only a slight surging at first. It comes out of it like a switch is thrown. It then has normal pedal response. During the start up sequence, the glow plug relay cycles properly and the lift pump is running. There is little smoke coming from the exhaust only some white stuff but not much. There does not seem to be any high idle. Starting warm, I need to hold the pedal at least half way down. It starts usually in the first 10 seconds, but that is dependent on how long it was turned of. Usually the pedal response is normal once it starts. Little smoke before it starts. Now for the power. It runs great, but has a hard time getting above 2000RPms. When going up a hill, it cannot pick up speed at 35 to 40 MPH. I do not hear the turbo kick in. One other thing, the shift points are in the 2000RPM plus range, probably because I need to hold the pedal down further than I should. It shifts when I let up.
Here is what I checked so far. New filters. With a clear line in the fuel return, no bubbles. Pressure for the lift pump is in spec. No fuel leaks. It does have appear to have low vacume, but I have not put a guage on it. The waste gate actuator moves free and is in good order, but can be pushed down when idling. The vacume lines are good. Turbo spins free.
I'm stuck. It seems like it ran out of fuel. What should I check next?
Thanks
Don

[sixnickel]

The codes we got to know the codes!! First off when the engine the cranking the ECM has full control the throttle, moving the peddle does nothing till you let go of the key and the switch goes back to run position. The glow light is coming on but are the glow plugs any good? Don't assume, that's how we get in trouble. If I had to guess at this point and shoot from the hip. I would go for the ECM temp sender in the T/stat water manifold. But thats with my eyes closed from the hip!! The codes!!!!!!!!

[mapleridge]

I got the codes. P0236, P0251, and P0370. I cleared the codes and started it up. It was cold and started hard. Code P0251 came up first and then P0370. I did not drive it, but once it finally started, it ran good. Also, I don't know the history of the truck, but the injector pump doesn't look original as it had a part sticker on the bolt flange and no coresponding timing mark on pump flange to line up with the one on the motor.

[Chevylover]

I got the codes. P0236, P0251, and P0370. I cleared the codes and started it up. It was cold and started hard. Code P0251 came up first and then P0370. I did not drive it, but once it finally started, it ran good. Also, I don't know the history of the truck, but the injector pump doesn't look original as it had a part sticker on the bolt flange and no coresponding timing mark on pump flange to line up with the one on the motor.


P0236 Turbocharger Boost Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance

P0251 Injection Pump Fuel Metering Control "A" Malfunction (Cam/Rotor/Injector)

P0370 Timing Reference High Resolution Signal A Malfunction


Cu,
Sven

[stereojoey]

i got 0236 as well, how do you test the turbo boost sensor? just replace it and see if it goes away? or what r some other options?

[mapleridge]

Did a bit more looking today. Tried inspecting electrical connections and fuel lines. Nothing really looked bad except the rubber fuel inlet line to the IP definately didn't seem tight enough with the factor squeeze clamp. Thought it might be an air inlet. Replaced the clamp. No real change. Looks like I need to pull the intake to really inspect the connectors and lines. I did find that the IP is a new replacement from Standyne manufactured on 09-07-05. It belive it has less than 5000 miles on it. Still getting code P0251 upon starting, P0370 comes up sometime after running cold and P0236 hasn't come up since I cleared it.

[nathan]

walt told me that 370 and 251 together means you have contaminated fuel. you should drain your tank and change your filters then try again.