A LONG CRANK TIME?

2008 DODGE NITRO
135,000 MILES • 4.0L • V6 • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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JEPWO6
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I have an extended crank time before the car starts approximately five or six seconds. There are no trouble codes. A dealer once told me it was the ignition switch sometime. if I cycle the switch, it will start right up. I can even hear the fuel pump running when I turn on the switch. How can I narrow it down to the actual problem thanks.
Jun 11, 2025 at 4:56 AM
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STEVE W.
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Try this test and let us know what happens. Get in the car, then cycle the ignition switch on and off 2 times. Now try to start it. Do you still have the long crank? If not the issue is that the one way valve on the fuel pump is bad and it's letting the fuel system drain back to the point that the initial prime isn't long enough to build pressure in the system. The repair would be a new pump assembly.
Jun 11, 2025 at 7:06 AM
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STRAILER
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This guide goes over the easy stuff that can cause hard starting.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Please get back to us so we can help.
Jun 11, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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JEPWO6
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I cycled the switch, and I still have the long crank. How can I test the fuel pump circuit and the fuel pump?
Jun 12, 2025 at 5:58 AM
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STEVE W.
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Okay, if cycling the switch didn't help then it's likely not that the pump is draining back, but it could be low fuel pressure.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

covers some of that. You should see a pressure between 54 and 62 PSI with a good pump.
If that is good, then we need to look at other possible causes.
Jun 12, 2025 at 8:39 AM