Top 5 3rd Gen Cummins Issues You Need to Watch Out For (and How to Fix Them)

For cool shirts, sweatshirts, and more check out the Just Diesels merch store: just-diesels.com/

One more common issue I've found and heard of on these trucks is the rear door wiring. If you have window/speaker/or lock issues with your rear door it could be the cabling in the boot when you open the rear door. This is a common issue since the doors open wide and the cables are constantly being bent back and forth.

05 all stock but run better Baldwin fuel filter in it. 123k and no issues. Rebuild the front end at a 100k and upgrade steering. Well worth it long term. Change batteries every 4 years and clean ALL grounds on engine and other points including cables after 10 years. Make sure the yellow wire under the fusebox for the starter is clean with good connection. Keeping mine forever.

The sad fact is that I’ve had issues with all thing that you mentioned except the injectors! Thankful the last owner of my truck was smart enough to replace them and put on a fass! And the blend doors was super easy! Just time consuming and definitely requires two sets of hands with the dash

I have told people about the injector test for awhile! I actually first discovered it, for myself, on accident. Noticed the rpm hop as unusual...but didn't know why... and when I replaced injectors it was smooth as butter. Since I've figured that was a injector slightly hanging open. And confirmed it with many experts as well as a go to test for early failure

These are all very true! I do have 280k on injectors and CP3 no fass or airdog just take really good care of fuel and run standayne, knock on wood! But my tipm, trans front and I have had to replace and the bettry part is 100% true! Run interstate great video! Most of this you can fix your self! Love my 5.9 CR I’ll keep in running!

Was chasing a start/stall and stalling while driving issue for months until i saw this video. Replaced the batteries and both issues resolved immediately. Thanks a lot!

Replacing the stock starter with a Mean Green gear reduction starter really helped my starting. Engine now starts very quickly and it just seems easier on the engine.

#4 injector line seems a common failure point. It happened to me. Replacement #4 injector line is an upgraded design.

This video is super accurate! Once you get through these issues these trucks are the best hands down!

This was a very informative video. I did have issues with the blend doors and i did the entire repair (HVAC, blend doors and a/c) myself. It took roughly a month to do the whole system, but it was well worth it. I did use blend door USA and they really are the greatest blend doors you can put in the truck. Everything is machined aluminum even the gearing and there are a couple of videos on how to do that. Whether you have a a double cab or a megacab cab truck. I also did the big three upgrade on both batteries. I made all the cables myself. I wish I could show you pictures of what I did but it did solve many electrical problems. All the ground wires were changed to 1/0 except for the ground wire leading from the passenger battery to the alternator which I made a 2/0 gauge wire. I also made a 2/0 gauge ground wire from the engine block to both batteries. All the ground wires that were currently connected to the batteries I pulled out and made 1/0 gauge ground wires. The crossover cable is a 4/0 gauge because it has to keep a consistent charge going over to the driver side battery along with making sure you have a strong current going to the starter and also to the entire electrical system of the truck. I also use aluminum battery connectors from GP audio which were six block connectors so as if you needed to add anything in the future… Amplifiers, or any other type of electrical made you can bolt right to the battery terminal. I also added a high amp alternator from Mechman to help keep the same charged up and your batteries charged up. One thing nobody talks about is if you’re doing start and stop take driving or making a lot of stops actually stopping the engine you have to keep those batteries charged up. Hi output alternator helps do that pretty efficiently. Upgrading all of your ground wires and power wires is a great start but you will need to eventually get a higher output alternator. You are definitely correct stating that a lift pump is needed on these trucks. The CP3 and stock fuel filter really are not enough. You need to get some pressure to those injectors and clean water free fuel. I would also suggest after getting a lift on removing the stock pump which I think you have to do anyway. Once I get the lift pump and get some of the transmission work done I feel that the truck will probably last forever. The third GEN dodge Cummins is awesome truck… It just needs some upgrades to make it a long lasting great truck. Again this was an awesome video and very informative. Love to shoot you some pics of mine when I’m done in a few months. Cheers keep the videos coming!

These videos are phenomenal. You do an awesome job of communicating issues with recommendations. As someone trying to educate themselves on the trucks as much as I can before I buy one, its much appreciated. Keep up the strong work bud

Great video. This is one of the most high quality channels on YouTube. The quality is consistently top noch. I personally would like to see videos in this style looking at 2nd gen Cummins and 7.3 Powerstroke(both OBS and SD) trucks

Tipm was bad on my 06. Had it rebuilt. No more problems. Only one headlight would work and the previous owner gave up and sold it to me cheap. Lol Just like u said. 👍🏻. Took me about two weeks to figure it out. Definitely had me pulling my hair out. 😂

Just did injectors in my 03 at 300k. $1600 but definitely glad they didn't melt the motor down.

Thanks for giving me hope for solving death wobble. I’m experiencing that right now.

Awesome video! Did the blend door USA doors on my ‘03. Highly recommend!

Thank you for the information and concise videos, I wish I had found them sooner. As to point #3, my 06 has been suffering from intermittent and bizarre electrical problems including one low beam going out, one wiper speed, rear tail light going out, odd starting habits and more. I changed out the batteries and soldered in new terminations for the crossover/assorted connections and half of my project list evaporated. I will add that cleaning the TIPM connectors underneath the fuse box should be a annual/semi annual inspection point. Cheers!

My 2003 2500 TD Quad Cab is one awesome truck. It's a long bed that came out of Alaska and is tricked out for that area. Standard in all aspects except, it's got an insulated camper, running boards, brush guard, tow hitch, long bed, set up for a snow plow and has a block heater. I bought it in 2010 for a song with only 37,xxx miles on the clock. It now has 128,xxx miles on it and my only issue has been a bad water pump at 50,xxx miles and a left tail light that just loves to blow out about every6 months, regardless of weather. I love this truck!

A true and precise assement of engine internals is to have an oil analysis report from a lab. The report clearly states what metalurgical components are present in the sample you provide them. I used Amsoil Anaysis service, my cost for the lab in Edmonton Alberta Canada was $45.00 and the report I received indicated zero problems in my '03 Ram. A genuine reliable indicator of whats happeneing inside your 5.9.