Lift pump question

[MDTyree]

What are the symptoms of a bad lift pump? My truck started getting harder to start today and it has started acting like it is running out of fuel. Please help I know nothing about diesel engines and I don't trust any of the mechanics around hear. I would like to have as much knowledge as possible before I take it to someone.





04HO ram 2500 quad cab 4x4 auto. banks six-gun with speed loader, 4" turbo back exhaust, s&b cold air intake

 

[MDTyree]

Come on, I know some of you have had problems of this nature before.



Please Help!

 

[jakprince]

It could be the lift pump or it could just be a plugged up fuel filter. I don't know if you do your own filter changes but thats where i would start.

 

[MDTyree]

Thank you so much any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[MFranz]

Lift Pump

On my 2001 you can turn the key on and off three times and it will display a trouble shooting code at the odometer. If you reference those code numbers it might give you an indication of whats wrong. Don't know if your truck has that same feature.

If it does the codes you can probably find on TDR.

Good Luck

Mike

 

[MDTyree]

On my 2001 you can turn the key on and off three times and it will display a trouble shooting code. If you reference those code numbers it might give you an indication of whats wrong. Don't know if your truck has that same feature.

If it does the codes you can probably find on TDR.

Good Luck

Mike

I turned the key three times and done popped up. What does that mean?



Thanks,

Mike

 

[JWesthoven]

I turned the key three times and done popped up. What does that mean?

that means that you haven't thrown any trouble codes. if your lift pump is going bad then you would be throwing codes. my guess is your fuel filter needs replaced.

 

[MDTyree]

that means that you haven't thrown any trouble codes. if your lift pump is going bad then you would be throwing codes. my guess is your fuel filter needs replaced.

I just replaced the fuel filter and I still have problems. I took it up the road and it is still acting like it is running out of fuel. Also it sounds a little differant. Can it be early signs of the lift pump going out? I just hope it's nothing major. I just bought the truck used earlier this year from a reputable dealer and I haven't evan put 15,000 miles on it yet.

 

[Ramzilla]

Do you have a fuel pressure gauge installed?--it's easier to diagnose a lift pump issue if you have one.

 

[MDTyree]

Ramzilla,

I don't have a fuel pressure gauge, is there any other way of knowing?

 

[Ramzilla]

Unfortunately, alot of guys without gauges find out about lp issues when they discover that their injector pumps go bad & as I understand it, ip problems are associated with hard starting issues...
So, you're not a car guy--I'm not either... and you don't trust your local mechanics on your dsl--I didn't either, but I asked a Land Rover tech who I DO trust who to get to work on my dsl & ended up with someone who's purdy good in a pinch... If EVERYONE in your orbit is a known hack, then maybe you call your mod mfr's & ask them (i. e. , Banks & whoever S&B is) if they are selling alot of their stuff to any techs in your area & then check those guys out via BBB--if that doesn't work, maybe try some other mod mfrs...
If your out of warranty, I'd be leery of dodge Dlrs on LP issue fixes...
Here's threads on dtr that I bookmarked re LP symptoms:
Is my lift pump going??? - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums
Maybe Lift Pump? - Dodge Diesel - Diesel Truck Resource Forums

 

[Mobius1]

Try taking off any aftermarket performance boxes. See if the problem persists. A fuel psi gauge would really help out in these cases. does it idle rough? It could just be a fca starting to go bad. .

 

[RJWEST]

Fuel Pressure Gage ,,,, Do It !!!!!!!

 

[CHolman]

Is your truck a 04 305/555 motor or a 04. 5 325/610? I heard they quit making the lift pumps for the 03 and 04's and put the in tank pumps in now... You need a pressure gauge and a HURRY THIS MONTH ONLY AIR DOG!!!

 

[Ramzilla]

You could prolly overnite one of these Monday for Wednesday delivery:
Fuel Pressure Tester w/ Schrader Connection

 

[rbattelle]

If the problem is persisting with a fresh filter, then it sounds like bad lift pump to me. Frequently a bad lift pump won't set any codes.

Where is your lift pump? Is it in the tank, or on the back of the fuel filter canister?

Ryan

 

[MMeier]

You could prolly overnite one of these Monday for Wednesday delivery:

Fuel Pressure Tester w/ Schrader Connection

3rd gens do not have a schrader valve connection like the older trucks did.

 

[DieselLady]

Where are you located? Maybe someone could recommend a good tech if we knew where you were.

 

[MDTyree]

I'm located in madison heights va.

 

[DieselLady]

I believe that the CP3, thats the high pressure fuel pump that pressurizes the rail needs 20psi to operate. I am not sure about this but I seem to remember that as the magic number. If the lift pump is getting weak, especially if you are running a chip, the CP3 may not be getting enough fuel to keep the rail pressurized. If you find a reputable shop I would first make sure you are getting at least 20 psi to the CP3. Maybe someone can confirm that number here first. If you are getting enough fuel pressure to the CP3, than make sure that the rail pressure is not falling below 23000Psi at WOT. If it is than you are draining the rail. I have seen the Quadzilla drain the rail pressure even with a healthy lift pump so that would be where I would start. Good luck and let us know.