Archived 2001.5 ETH just died

[mikeg135]

We were on our way back from the lake pulling the boat. Good thing is that my truck died in the middle of street without warning as I was backing the boat in the driveway and not on highway coming home.



I am thinking lift pump since there have been so many failures I have read on this forum. I have an autometer electronic fuel pressure guage hooked up. As I turn the engine over, I am not seeing any pressure on the guage. I know I had fuel pressure on the way up to the lake but did not look at it on the drive home.



With the key in the accessory position, should I be reading fuel pressure immediately after I try starting the truck?



Is it possible for the truck to just die without warning due to a failed lift pump?



I have 64k miles on the truck. Will this be a warranty item?



thanks,

Mike

 

[Dkevdog]

You should see some pressure after you "bump" the starter (the ACC position just before you start the truck). Turning the key to this position and then off again will cycle the lift pump for approx 20 to 30 seconds. Most see about 15-17psi while doing this. This however, is not really a relevant number. Bad lift pumps can still read good at this point. Your pressure at idle and wide open throttle are much more important.



I suppose it is possible you have a dead pump, but unless it had been going south for some time, I doubt that is the case. Your VP44 pump is still capable of running without the lift pump, some have run for along time before the VP died.



I would start by checking the entire fuel delivery system, for leaks and what not and check the fuel filter. Other than that, I don't know.



Oh- and if it were a pump problem, yes it will be covered by your 5/100 engine warranty.



Kev

 

[mikeg135]

thanks for the quick response.



I guess the first thing is that I will check to see if the lift pump is cycling and then go from there.



Mike

 

[mikeg135]

Lift pump

Well, I have no fuel in the filter bowl, no pressure pre-filter, and I do not hear the lift pump cycle when I bump the motor.



Sounds like the lift pump for sure.



Mike

 

[JLEONARD]

Mike,

Read my thread below this one for info. Don't get discouraged if the first dealer you call refuses to warantee it... try another.

Jay

 

[Billy Diesel]

If it turns out to be the lift pump, report the incident to NHTSA. Be sure to include that there was no warning, that it died in the middle of the road, and that it could not be restarted. We need to show NHTSA that the trouble-prone lift pump can be a safety hazard. They don't care about how much it costs, but rather the safety factor. If enough people prove that it is a safety issue, the pump will be recalled and replaced with a (hopefully) more reliable pump, preferably in a different location.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Mike, have you checked for proper voltage at the LP - and have you tried making sure you had a solid electrical connection at the LP?



I thought mine had gone bad too - turned out to simply be a poor contact at the plug into the LP...

 

[PC12Driver]

If there is a break in the wiring circut to the LP, you'll probably get a 0230 code.



Cycle the key to the on position 3 times and the fault codes will be displayed on the odometer (if you have any).

 

[mikeg135]

lift pump

The first dealer did not sound like they knew what I was talking about nor did not know if it were to be covered under the warranty. I did not think to check the wiring since there have so many failures with the pump itself.



I called a second dealer and explained to them my problem with no fuel pressure and no fuel in the fuel filter bowl. They said based on the miles on my truck it would be covered under warranty along with the towing. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome since they are suppose to get back with tomorrow.

 

[mikeg135]

the verdict is in. Bad lift pump, imagine that. The service write going to warrranty it and he has seen this problem in the past. I educated him a little telling him about the pusher pump fix and the FASS fix.



Hopefully everything will go well without a hitch. Keeping my fingers crossed.



Mike