Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1996 with low power. (Seems like 1/4 throttle)

[PWeber]

I am near done with my 1996 damaged Dodge. During the limited time driving it to the body shop to get it painted I notice it drove much different than my 1997 PSD. This Dodge is a 5 spd. It seemed to rev to around 2200 RMP with the throttle on the floor, then fall on its face. Getting there is does not seem to work too hard. A guy at the shop I had paint it had a Dodge diesel and drove mine. He said it felt like it had 1/4 or 1/2 throttle. I checked the throttle cable and it is pulling the linkage open all the way. Another item I noticed is when it is below 25 degrees starting cold I have to give it a little throttle or it will not start on the idle stop. I assume I should change the filter and will try that first. Any other input?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

From the symptoms... .



A call to Piers to order a 3k RPM or 4k RPM Governor Spring Kit is in order. (604-888-4159 or 866-888-9396)



Some trucks have a hard time revving past 2500rpm in stock form. The governor spring kit will safely raise this rev limit to 3 or 4k RPM. The overal increase in power is minimal, but the truck will feel like you just bolted on a NOS kit compared to factory. The governor spring kit improved my cold and hot start cranking - reduced it to almost zero.



Checking the obvious... like fuel pressure, fuel lines, intercooler pipes for boost leaks is also in order.



Hope this helps - and let us know the end result.



Matt

 

[Tom C]

2200 seems a little low. Ive never seen a stock motor defuel below 2700 to 2800. When I bought mine (used) it would drop on its face at about 2000-2200 and the problem was a hole in the metal tube from the AFC housing to the turbo (from rubbing on the exhaust manifold). So my waste gate was not opening to let out the eccess boost pressure and the cam plate could not move forward to add more fuel.



Might check you boost pressure, intercoller hoses and all pressure lines?



has the fuel mileage gone down? if so you might have a fuel restriction or lack of fuel.



hope this helps.



Tom

 

[PWeber]

I have never drove this truck before. I bought it damaged and fixed it. I just got it home last night from the paint shop and will drive it some more.

 

[bighammer]

Does it smoke or stumble at high (no load) RPM? If so, I would check the timing. Warm i up ans stand on it in neutral. What does it do?

 

[PWeber]

I will drive it some more. When I drove it home last night I could get it to 2600, 2700. I was mainly going off the guy at the shop who drives a 2000 PSD as he had drove it down there and ran it to the alignment shop too. He seemed to think it was not right. Maybe I need to drive it and see what it does.

 

[PWeber]

Bighammer,



What RPM should I expect in nuetral? Any other signs to look for when doing this?

 

[Bob4x4]

With a 96 you should see close to 3k in nuetral



Bob

 

[PWeber]

I started a new thread with more details about this issue and how it drives. It is on the 1st page thus far. Her is a link, hope it works.



Link to thread

 

[BillGotthelf]

I don't know why you started a new thread. You did not say how many miles were on the truck. It sounds like a fuel supply problem. When the lift pump was dieing on my 96 it would run up to 3000 in neutral but under a load I could barely do 45mph. It would slowly lose power like the fuel filter was plugging up. It would get progressively worse. Happened to me twice with my 96-engine driven lift pump. I never tried to test fuel pressure on my 96-first time dodge and second time cummins told me pump was shot.

 

[Matt42]

An out-of-adjustment throttle rod can cause the problems that you described.

 

[PWeber]

It has 170k miles. I started a new thread as I had fresh info after driving it myself for 100 miles. The previous info was from 2 other guys input who had been running it around for me. Anyhow, does this resistance I feel in the pedal sound normal under load?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

... . well the pedal will stop once it hits the floor... that could account for the resistance. :-laf



Sorry... I had to.



Matt

 

[PWeber]

at 1/4 throttle. It seems like something inside the pump creates some resistance in the travel. It is not there without load in neutral. Does anyone else's act this way?

 

[PWeber]

Dont get me wrong. you can press the peddle past the resistance point. You just done seem to get any additional response from the engine. At least not nearly the response you get up to that point. Is this the affect of the torque plate's function maybe?

 

[pathaymond]

Maybe this has been said But I just went through the same situation Change the fuel filter and clean the screen if you have one solved my problem and she screams now One bad load of fuel is all it took to shut me down to about 2200 rpm with a 4K kit.

Patrick

 

[PWeber]

could you describe the screen and where it is?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Pre-screen:



Its right next to the lift pump and right underneath the fuel heater and the filter assembly... .



Easy as pie to change and the parts from Cummins are dirt cheap.



Matt

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by PWeber
Dont get me wrong. you can press the peddle past the resistance point. You just done seem to get any additional response from the engine. At least not nearly the response you get up to that point. Is this the affect of the torque plate's function maybe?

Ah. This is the P7100's 'breakover' point. This is the point at which the AFC is allowing no extra fuel. As boost climbs, the breakover point will move, allowing you to apply more fuel.

This is completely normal.

I've found on my '98 that I get maximum power by pushing the pedal right to this point. Pushing it past decreases power a tiny bit.

Fest3er

 

[PWeber]

OK, that makes sense then. As far as the screen. Do I need to get any parts from Cummins to have on hand when I check this (like an O ring). Do I just open a screw off cover or something to check it? Also, is there any posts of a picture that shoe locations of the fuel heater, lift pump, etc. locations? I am totally new to this Dodge stuff. Had a 1997 PSD (still do) for years...