Archived 02 stock cummins will not start

[abalon]

Rains it pours! Truck lost power steering, then brakes shortly after. I already had an oil seal leaking vacuum pump; 1st thought power steering pump failed; no, brk keyway on Vacuum pump shaft, any way. I started the truck after a tow home. I did not warm it up, i was moving to a rear eqp shed for repairs drove fine 1000 yds @ idle since no power steering or p brakes; started to hesitate, couple coughs white smoke... ?, then died. will crank fine, no start. I drained fuel filter housing, to change filter, considerable gunk in bottom, cleaned out, replaced filter, primed fuel bowl. Still no start.

we have replaced the vacuum pump, and the cam position sensor while i was there. I checked the trouble codes @ the dash, PCU code 1693, ECU code 0501, 0234, 1698. i looked up the codes here @ tdr except 0501, found 0500? Could any or all of these codes affect my starting problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated! thanx marc

 

[JLandry]

Marc,

With all those trouble codes taken together, it sure sounds like you could either have a wiring harness disconnected between the ECM and PCM, or possibly there's a problem with the ECM or PCM.

P0234-TURBO BOOST LIMIT EXCEEDED
P1698-NO BUS MESSAGES RECEIVED FROM PCM

Anyway, here are the details on P0501:

P0501-VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL RATIONALITY

When Monitored: No VSS signal codes or CCD [the Chrysler Collision Detection bus - a data communications bus] errors present.

Set Condition: The CCD vehicle speed indicates above 32kmh (20mph) for 2. 0 seconds and the ECM vehicle speed indicates less than 16kmh (10mph). The PCM (Powertrain Control Module) does not receive a vehicle speed signal from the anti-lock brake controller (CAB).

Possible causes:

CAB DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code)
CAB VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL SHORTED TO VOLTAGE
VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL SHORTED TO GROUND
VEHICLE SPEED SIGNAL OPEN FROM CAB TO PCM
FAILED ECM
FAILED PCM

Is there anything else we should know about the truck... like does it have a performance module or a programmer that might be interfering with the ECM?

John L.

 

[dknoch]

This site has some interesting ECM info, might be a good start to check the wires and signals and voltage at the ECM expecially since it is making up codes.



ECM details for 1998-2002 Dodge Ram trucks with 24 Valve Cummins diesel engine



Best of luck,

Dan Knoch

 

[Chief USA]

Have you tried cracking an injector coupling to ensure fuel is getting up to the injectors? The OEM lift pump will not prime the system. When you changed the OEM fuel filter, did you fill the fuel cannister up with known clean fuel ? Sounds like you definitely have other issues to deal with but at least be sure you have the basics covered.

 

[Sticks]

Wheel sensor wires getting rubbed through on the front hubs are common, that will give you the VSS code(s). One on each front wheel, one on the rear axle.

Post #4 - Fuel pressure?

 

[abalon]

Thanx for all the info, This truck had an edge comp box on it years ago. Stock now no programmer. I have 13. volts to my power and ground, pin connectors #6-#7 on injection pump wiring harness. I cracked fuel lines and cranked for 20+ sec. very little fuel, tried again, same a little fuel out of 2 lines; not high pressure spray. Worried might be a VP computer failure? but i have no fueling codes. Is this possible? Found great info on Blue chip diesel perf. web site. checked loose wiring. still no running. I also filled/primmed the fuel bowl manually; then drained and let the lift pump fill it? Aaaaghhhh! marc

 

[Chief USA]

Thanx for all the info, This truck had an edge comp box on it years ago. Stock now no programmer. I have 13. volts to my power and ground, pin connectors #6-#7 on injection pump wiring harness. I cracked fuel lines and cranked for 20+ sec. very little fuel, tried again, same a little fuel out of 2 lines; not high pressure spray. Worried might be a VP computer failure? but i have no fueling codes. Is this possible? Found great info on Blue chip diesel perf. web site. checked loose wiring. still no running. I also filled/primmed the fuel bowl manually; then drained and let the lift pump fill it? Aaaaghhhh! marc

When was the last time you changed the fuel filter and check the lift pump fuel pressure and output under load? Even though you may hear the lift pump running when you bump the starter, it may not be putting out much if any pressure. A clogged or restricted fuel filter will only make things worse.



Do you have or can you borrow a fuel pressure test gauge so you can check the system. Be mindful that even though you may have adequate fuel pressure with the engine off and the system static, once the engine starts and fuel is being restricted by a clogged fuel filter will draw the fuel pressure down to zero depending upon how badly the filter is clogged.



I would at least make sure you have the starting basics of good fuel pressure and flow to the IP. The IP may still be bad but at least you will have removed the lift pump, and fuel filter from the equation.

 

[JLandry]

Worried might be a VP computer failure? but i have no fueling codes. Is this possible?

Yes! The VP44 can fail without any trouble codes being generated.

I also filled/primmed the fuel bowl manually; then drained and let the lift pump fill it?

First off, have you verified you have adequate fuel pressure at the VP44 fuel inlet fitting? If you haven't, please do that first before going any further. Get yourself a cheap fuel pressure test kit (Harbor Freight Tools sells them for under $25), hook it up to the Schraeder valve on the VP44 fuel inlet fitting, then turn the ignition key on and bump the starter (but do not start the engine) leaving the key in the RUN position. When you do this, the lift pump will activate for about 25 seconds. Even if there's air in the fuel system leading up to the VP44, you should still register about 15 psi minimum from the lift pump.

Assuming you do have adequate fuel pressure, then the best way to insure you have all the air purged out of the low pressure side of the fuel system is to loosen the fuel inlet fitting at the VP44 and place a suitable container (or large wad of rags) underneath it to catch fuel. Turn the ignition key on and bump the starter again so the lift pump will activate for another 25 seconds. This will fill the fuel filter housing and push any air out of the loosened VP44 fuel inlet fitting. Once you see a good stream of fuel coming out of the loosened VP44 fuel inlet fitting, turn off the ignition key and retighten. Then, loosen 2 or 3 of the injector fittings (just like you did before) and crank the engine to purge any air inside the VP44 air from the injector lines. Crank no more than 15 seconds (for the health of the starter). Tighten the injector fittings and try starting the engine. You might have to repeat the injector fitting purge routine a couple of times before the engine will start.

If the above doesn't work, then the VP44 may indeed be dead.

Please keep us posted.

John L.