Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Power loss and engine light on

[CraigZi]

After driving about 5 miles on the way to work, my truck suddenly lost all power. The engine did not cut off but the truck sort of lurched - almost like when you step on the pedal and the truck is in too low of a gear.

When I stepped on the pedal, one of two things would happen - it would lurch and lose power or nothing and I mean that the engine would not respond to the fuel pedal. I could drive it very slow. Heading home, I got it up to about 35 / 40 in 4th gear and it almost seemed normal but the engine light was still on so I had it towed to the dealer. They have been driving it for a day and cannot get it to do anything wrong. The one engine code they read was "1% fuel". I'm wondering if this is not a case of water in the fuel. I do not change my own fuel filter but I do have it done regularly. I tow a 5th wheel and head out for vacation next week and this is the last thing I want to happen when I am towing. Any ideas?

Thanks!

 

[EForbes]

Maybe the apps sensor, that will cause this, also did you notice the tachometer fluctuating?

 

[CraigZi]

I installed a fuel pressure gauge after I lost my first lift pump but did not even look at it when I should have so I also did not look at the tach. It did not seem like the engine was revving. Can the dealer test the apps sensor?

 

[JLandry]

Craig,



See if ou can find out the exact DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) the dealer pulled and post it here. That'll help us a lot in narrow down the cause of this. Everything else is going to be speculation.



John L.

 

[CraigZi]

Just picked the truck up after two days at the dealers. They could not find anything - they even drove it around. When I was driving home, it started to do the same thing except much less violent about 2 miles from the dealer and the light came back on. Don't think I am going back there.

The codes are "1. 0 - codes P1287, P1689, P0336. Check Freeze frame data. Shows fuel at 1%"

I have no idea what that means.

Craig

 

[JLandry]

Craig,

From those DTC's and symptoms, it almost sounds like there may be an open or shorted circuit in the wiring harness connected to the VP44 fuel injection pump. The P0336 could mean you have a failing Crankshaft Position Sensor, or it wasn't being supplied adequate voltage.

Here are the DTC definitions:

P1287 = FUEL INJECTION PUMP CONTROLLER SUPPLY VOLTAGE LOW

The trouble shooting steps for the above DTC check for proper battery voltage, voltage being supplied to the VP44, and the condition of the wiring harness connectors.

P1689 = NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ECM & INJECTION PUMP MODULE

Set Condition: Time between CAN messages > 3 seconds. Or Fuel Injection Pump Module does not receive CAN message.

The trouble shooting steps for the above DTC check the voltage supplied to the VP44 (as with P1287) and the integrity of the wiring harness and connectors between the VP44 and ECM. This DTC seems closely related to P1287, i. e. : if you get a P1287 you'll get this one too.

P0336 - CRANKSHAFT POSITION (CKP) SENSOR SIGNAL

Set Condition: The crankshaft position sensor indicates no engine speed or position signal to ECM.

A good Dodge diesel mechanic should be able to troubleshoot this using the Dodge Diagnostic Procedures manuals. I agree that I wouldn't bother going back to that particular dealer.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[CraigZi]

Thanks, John. Seems to be running normally now so don't know what the intermittent nature means. I checked the code from the way home and it was the P0036 again. But just that one. I don't believe in mechanical things "healing" which is why I thought it might be bad fuel. Would water in the fuel cause any of this?

 

[JLandry]

I thought it might be bad fuel. Would water in the fuel cause any of this?

Craig,



I don't see how that's possible.



I'd start by replacing the crankshaft position sensor and see if things improve.



Regards,



John L.

 

[CraigZi]

Thanks, John, I'll try to get it done this week. I'll let you know.
Craig