Plenty of fuel, Truck guide at the stop light

[BigPapa]

You don’t have a crank sensor. Cam sensor is below the injection pump.

 

[petersonj]

The more I think about this, the more I think your problem may or may not be related to the accident / accident repairs. Could be that the PCM (or related connectors) were disconnected and the ignition key was switched on while they were disconnected with resulting codes set.

You drive the truck home and everything seems okay. The next day the engine dies and won't restart. You observe the codes, but the codes don't come back after they are erased. Hopefully, I have this sequence right.

Something that may be worth trying - can you make the engine run in the manner you stated on one of your first posts (throttle to the floor) while cranking the engine? If so, two or three attempts may reset a code. If it does, at least you would know there is an association with your no-start problem.

Just shooting in the dark here...,

- John

 

[garylmoore]

I did try once the new batteries we in the truck.
It did the exact same thing. Press the pedal all the way down and it will hit numerous times but never enough to run. White smoke from the tailpipe while it is happening.
I will break two or three injectors lines tomorrow and see if I get fuel tomorrow.
Thanks, Gary

 

[garylmoore]

You don’t have a crank sensor. Cam sensor is below the injection pump.

Thank you sir! I will check that connection in the morning. Gary

 

[Road Dog]

View attachment 136278
The more I think about this, the more I think your problem may or may not be related to the accident / accident repairs. Could be that the PCM (or related connectors) were disconnected and the ignition key was switched on while they were disconnected with resulting codes set.

- John

Good point. It is possible to hotwire the vp44 (run it without an ECM/PCM). It will only idle but you'll know if the engine and fuel system is working. See Blue Chip Diesel VP44 Diagnostics for details.

Body shops are notorious for messing up electrical systems. It's not their specialty. They may leave connectors and grounds unconnected or, worse, plug random stuff together because the connectors fit.

 

[garylmoore]

I started thinking about the injection pump this morning and found a pretty decent video on diag. It includes how to hotwire.



This unit was replaced with a pump from Thoroughbred Diesel less than 50k ago and I am really hoping that is not my problem.
Thanks for the help, I am going out this morning and putter around with it. I will report back.

 

[garylmoore]

I was finally able to get to work on the truck and the first thing I did was put a gauge on the fuel pressure inlet line at the VP44.

I have zero fuel pressure showing on external gauge. I can hear the lift pump running, both filters were replaced in November. The lift pump motor was replaced around April of 2022.
I have the (new, never tested) 30 lb. fuel gauge deadheaded into the fuel line from the lift pump, but broke the connection at the gauge and let the air escape

I had just pulled away from filling the tank so it is not the fuel level.

I will change both filters tomorrow, possibly try a different gauge at the pump inlet and see what I get.

 

[petersonj]

I am at this time sitting at a stop light in Rockford Illinois. Truck was running fine, I Pulled up to a stop light and it died.
It's turning over fine and with full pedal it tries to fire. Fuel gauge shows 15 lbs.

The above is your first post on January 1st - 15 psi fuel pressure. Below, today, January 10th, you posted,

I have zero fuel pressure showing on external gauge. I can hear the lift pump running

,

I am starting to become a bit confused. Do you have fuel pressure or do you not have fuel pressure?

I had just pulled away from filling the tank so it is not the fuel level.

Are you referring to the day you first posted? My understanding is that the engine has not run since the day it died at the stop light (January 1st). Is this correct?

- John

 

[BigPapa]

I still think it’s got to be something the body shop inadvertently did. Did they have the bed off? Cab off? Have you tried leaving the fuel cap off? Visually inspect every inch of every fuel and vent line.

 

[garylmoore]

The above is your first post on January 1st - 15 psi fuel pressure. Below, today, January 10th, you posted,

,

I am starting to become a bit confused. Do you have fuel pressure or do you not have fuel pressure?



Are you referring to the day you first posted? My understanding is that the engine has not run since the day it died at the stop light (January 1st). Is this correct?

- John

That is correct, the engine has not run. It will hit, but not start. Still blowing what I assume to be unburnt fuel as white smoke from tailpipe. When trying to restart at the light when the truck first died I was showing 15lbs on the aftermarket fuel pressure gauge. The truck would not start. I bought a new fuel pressure gauge this week, pulled the line from the lift pump to the VP44, adapted the gauge to the line from the lift pump. I removed the air from the line and the new gauge showed 0 psi. You can hear the lift pump running. I did this to be sure there was not a problem with the in cab gauge.
There was fuel draining from the fitting of the VP44 and the line when I removed it.
I may have another gauge in the toolbox. I am going to change both filters and the gauge if possible and check pressure again tonight if possible.

 

[garylmoore]

I still think it’s got to be something the body shop inadvertently did. Did they have the bed off? Cab off? Have you tried leaving the fuel cap off? Visually inspect every inch of every fuel and vent line.

The only thing that had to come off was the right front fender, radiator and surround, fascia, grille and hood.
The bed was not off, nor the cab. The frame was not damaged.
The right inner fender was not removed so I would not see any reason to pull connectors on the ECM?PCM? (computer on passenger firewall.)
I popped the gas cap last night to make sure it was vented, but fuel pressure has not been tested since.

 

[garylmoore]

After coming out of the shop it ran fine for 12 or so miles going home. I got up the next day, filled the tank, traveled about an 1/8 mile and the truck died. It would not restart.
The truck sat in a heated garage for about 10 weeks without running, waiting for parts at the body shop.
I have never had a problem with algae. If I have that issue, will it be visible in the filters when I change them?
Thanks for your kindness and help.
Gary

 

[SnoKing]

I got up the next day, filled the tank, traveled about an 1/8 mile and the truck died. It would not restart.

Gary

Bingo!
If it will pump fuel to a clear container, check that you did not get a load of water at the fueling. You could check this by extending the drain on the fuel filter to the container, open the valve and bump the starter. Make sure the container is big enough. Did your area have a lot of rain recently? Or did you pump gas into it? Something happen at that fueling!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[petersonj]

Good advice from @SnoKing . Two good things will come from this test - witnessing good fuel flow and observing whether or not water is present. Skip the fuel pressure test for now. Reading fuel pressure on a gauge is not relevant now - visually seeing fuel flow is!

Use a five gallon open top bucket. Route a suitable hose from a convenient connection point from between the fuel filter housing and the VP44 injection pump directly to the bucket. Have someone bump the starter and leave the key in run position while you hold the end of the hose into the bucket. The lift pump should run for about 20 seconds with a steady full stream of fuel flowing into the bucket. If it dos not, then you know you have a fuel delivery problem. Perform this test 3 or 4 times. Check for water in the bottom of the bucket.

This test will provide good information. Let us know the results.

- John

 

[garylmoore]

Oh crap John. You called it. I have been driving a gasser so long, I put 19 gallons of gas in the truck. Oh Crap. What do I do about that Boys?

 

[garylmoore]

Oh crap John. You called it. I have been driving a gasser so long, I put 19 gallons of gas in the truck. Oh Crap. What do I do about that Boys?

I had the receipt in the truck. I have never came close to doing that in the 4 years I have had this truck. I drove right up to my favorite unleaded pump and filled her up.

 

[garylmoore]

I don't know how I am going to get rid of the 34 gallons of fuel I have to pull.

 

[Road Dog]

When I bought my truck (from a dealer) they prepped it and filled the tank with gas. Oops. At least the kid realized it right away and never started the truck.

 

[garylmoore]

I have the tank drained. The truck is on a bit of an Incline, but I figure I removed at least 32 gallons.
So, what do I do now? Change the filters, put 5 gallons in, purge the lines and see what happens?
Any idea how much damaged I have caused here?
Does anyone know what I do with the 32 gallons of 50/50 diesel and unleaded ?
The line from the sump to the lift pump was nearly severed at the sump outlet from the line being old. The exterior was cut by the band clamp and falling off, nothing left but fabric.

 

[BigPapa]

I still think it’s got to be something the body shop inadvertently did.

I put 19 gallons of gas in the truck.

Well, my apologies to the body shop.