what makes a relay energize slowly with a no start problem?

I have a problem starting a van when its cold overnight .This happens only while the check eng light does not come on when the key is in the on position . If i wait about 3 min a relay will start to click like an old eletric fuel pump, once this clicking stops and the eng lamp comes on the van will start and run w/o a problem all day w/o a problem. This van is a 1995 ram 1500 with a v6 fi eng. all alams have been removed , no eng codes, relay location is below the master cyl.