Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 01 died while at idle, any ideas???

[Nuka]

I know the hole lift pump saga, however I haven't had any troubles with my stock 01. 5 with 70000 miles on it and then today my wife started it to pre heat it and went back out 10 min. later to load the kids and it wasn't running and won't start now. Turns over fine and has 1/4 tank of fuel. Any ideas?? or where should i start to trouble shoot it Thanks

 

[24V-DSL]

Have you checked for codes?

 

[madmanmanick]

what is the ambient temp

What was the ambient temp. At 60 degrees diesel fuel starts to wax(solidify). depending on the temp, the fuel tank could be waxed. Also if there was any water in the tank or the line it could have froze causing a stop in the line and the truck initially started with the fuel in the filter or what wa left in part of the line. I had the same thing happen to me a few years back. What I ended up having to do was to put a torpedo heater under the truck with a piece of cardboard on the side that the fuel tank is on so that it would deflect the heat up to the tank. After a hour or so the tank was warm enough that I was able to start the truck and the natural return action of the fuel to the tank kept the fuel at the proper temp. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Sticks]

Dodge fuel sending units have been known to lie too.

Verify that there is indeed fuel in the tank.

 

[Nuka]

thanks

Thanks for the input. I'm going to work on it starting Wed. I'll let you know what I find.

Codes. . don't know yet.

temp... 19F

Fuel. . added 10 gallons to make sure, no start

Gelling?? never have had it, run Power service in every tank religiously, plus fuel is thinned here in Alaska at the pump for -40 (70-30 blend #1 &#2)

 

[WTBurke]

Nuka,

Welcome to the TDR. Please check the conditions regarding long-term idle of the 24 valve CTD. At 19 degrees F. your CTD should be increasing RPM idle up to 1100 RPM via ECM control. If this is not occurring long term idle can cause issues with the valve train. Do you have an EGT gage? Standard idle RPM at 19 degrees F will cause low temp conditions and sustained time at this level is undesirable. Search the threads regarding "high idle" for fundamental information.



Good luck,

William

 

[jchapin]

My fuel gauge busted on me and something similar happened (more than once, lol). Problem is even adding fuel to tank won't immediately fix your problem, you'll need to loosen fuel injectors and bump your ignition to bleed the lines and crank over a lot to get running again; not good if your batteries are long in the tooth (especially at 19F), but will at least rule it out as a cause. How about fuel filter, any chance of it being clogged up?

I have heard of sending unit issues falsely sending bad info to brain to keep it from starting, but don't know them enough to provide help there. Codes always a good start.

Sorry to hear your troubles and hope it turns out to be something simple. Good luck.

 

[Bob Cochran]

What happened to me was driving to work showing 1/4 tank and died. Would not start and it turned out to be bad sending unit. Replaced, added fuel and bleed all was then ok.

 

[Chief USA]

Are you running the stock lift pump or FASS/Air Dog? Sure sounds like you have ice blocking fuel flow somewhere in the system.

 

[gtwitch]

Sounds like gelled or dirty fuel,OR DITTO on the FUEL SENDER UNIT!!!!



gtwitch in wyoming

 

[Sticks]

Nuka,

Welcome to the TDR. Please check the conditions regarding long-term idle of the 24 valve CTD. At 19 degrees F. your CTD should be increasing RPM idle up to 1100 RPM via ECM control...

Only if the ECM was flashed for the cold start/3 cylinder warmup. My 02 was not flashed, and -25*F still idles at normal RPM. Thank the gods for exhaust brakes and block heaters.

 

[Nuka]

Codes??

Just used a snap on Solas to get the codes. the only one it had was p1693.

P1693 Mil Fault ion companion Mode. Not sure what that translates to. .

 

[Chief USA]

You did not say if you are running a stock lift pump or an Air Dog/FASS? Reason I ask is if you are running an Air Dog or FASS and the water separating fuel filter has trapped enough water, it will freeze in the filter blocking fuel flow.

 

[Nuka]

Lift pump

Sorry I overlooked your earlier ques. up to this point I am still using the original lift pump. . Still havn't bled injectors or installed my px gauge. Just not enough time with kids and xmas so close. Thanks for the continuing info.

 

[Chief USA]

If possible, tow or pull the truck to a heated building or garage and let it warm up. I have a strong suspicion you have some ice or frozen contamination in the fuel system somewhere blocking the fuel flow.

 

[Nuka]

it is possible, but not for at least a week now as I am back to work.

 

[Nuka]

she's running

checked lp press while cranking, 10psi

changed fuel filter

bled vp44

cracked 3 injecters and bled same

then it eventually started to fire while cranking it.



Bottom line is it did run out of gas at idle in my drive way while showing a quarter of a tank on the gauge. Thanks for everyone's help, I hope I can return the favor some day.



next is change out the sending unit in tank I guess. Dodge has one for about $65. 00

 

[Sticks]

Good habit to get into. Watch your mileage. I know I get near 500 miles per tank on average, so I make sure to fill up if I start pushing the 400 mark, regardless of the fuel gauge. I know mine is flaky so it is more of a reference.