Archived Two VP44s in two days need help!

[grimesja]

Good Afternoon Gentlemen, the puzzle just got more complex. After the battery cables being off for about 8 hours, I went out to sart pulling the second pump when I just thought to give it one last try. I spun the motor over and fuel started coming out o the lines. I tightend the fuel lines and the truck started up and appears to berunning fine. Could this be a bad ECU? could it be overheating? I noticed one of the indications is interminnet transfer pump psi, which is an issue that cropped up recently. my psi has been very interminet.



I spoke with Dodge the ECU is $1100 plus $i50 for reflash. The dealer tells me the ECM cannot be reflashed if it is used? Is that true? I noticed in some of the other post that a used ECU was installed aand reflashed? Is there a way to check the ECU without taking it to the shop?

 

[JLandry]

I spoke with Dodge the ECU is $1100 plus $i50 for reflash. The dealer tells me the ECM cannot be reflashed if it is used? Is that true? I noticed in some of the other post that a used ECU was installed aand reflashed? Is there a way to check the ECU without taking it to the shop?

A used ECM can be reflashed to a different program (from the original) with the proper equipment... which a Dodge dealer WILL NOT have. The DRBIII (which the Dodge dealer uses) has been idiot-proofed to prevent reflashing anything but an update to the original program to prevent potentially ruining an engine. You can imagine what would happen if the completely wrong program where flashed into an ECM and then the engine were started. Nothing could happen all the way to catastrophic damage.



Any legitimate ECM rebuilder will have the proper equipment to reflash whatever program they wish into a used ECM.



I've had good luck with an ECM rebuilder out of Florida called Auto Computer Exchange. They routinely sell refurbished Dodge Ram Cummins ECM's on eBay for $495 delivered. No core is required, but if you do send a core back, they'll extend a lifetime warranty on the unit you bought from them, although I don't know how much that's worth. They will program the ECM with the latest Dodge software for you based on the info you provide about your truck.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[JR2]

You could also contact Bob Wagner (bob-wagner@msn.com), he can usually help in ECM situations. I know He and Marco have flashed some ECM's for folks in the past. He may also be able to help you with troubleshooting the ECM.

 

[grimesja]

Thanks guys. I'm going to take it to the cummins guys Tuesday. They are going to run a full diagnostic including a dynorun. What do you think? Should I replace the ECM before or after the run on Tueday.

 

[AABEN]

Look at your fuel filters then check flow from the tank . I had a bug that got in my tank! I thank it got in when I was putting fuel in. sucked up and slowed fuel flow down. This took three weeks to find-------good luck----BEN

 

[grimesja]

The truck ran for about 5 miles and shutdown. Fuel system has been cleaned, filters changed and lines have been purged. It's just shutting down.

 

[acook]

I had similar symptoms a few months ago. The engine would shutdown and run erratic at times. Would run ok for a few hours or a few days. Finally got to the point of constantly going dead.



What I finally found was the electrical connector at the cowl (to the right of the valve cover when looking from the front) had a loose connection. The connector is square shaped and has a white lever to disconnect it. As you move the lever it pushes the connector apart. The lever was partically released causing a bad connection and killing power the the fuel pump relay. I pushed the lever to the locked position and zip-tied down. No more problems.



This started after a Vp44 replacement. I suspect when removing the fuel lines on the rear cylinders that I must have hit the lever with my arm.



Hope this helps



Anthony

 

[grimesja]

I checked the connection it seems to be good. What happens is I pull the cables off the battery and give it a few hours, then reconnect the batteries, bleed the lines and it runs okay.

 

[DPKetchum]

Batterys don't need to be unhooked for hours. Just a few minutes is all thats needed.