Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 2002 Ram losing power??? Help!

[yyzski]

Just helped a friend pick up a used 2002 2WD 6 speed.



Truck ran perfectly for the first few hours home, then suddenly started to lose power. It felt like the throttle pedal was going away and the truck would barely do 50-55mph with the foot to the floor.



Then for no apparent reason, the power would return and the truck would take off. Over the course of the 12 hour run the power was down for as long as 3 hours at a time, other times for only a few minutes.



We stopped into a dealer in OH on Saturday morning, though they were not really equipped to diagnose diesel issues. They read the codes (2 thrown - one transmission code?- odd for a 6 speed) but could not reset the PCM.



Check engine light did not come on for long.



I was following the truck in my own - there was no smoke or other abnormal signs... ... ...



Is this the sign of a dead lift pump/injector pump or something entirely different?

 

[Texas Diesel]

Since no one else has stepped in I will. Sounds like a bad APPS to me. I have not had one go bad but from what I have read here it sounds like it to me.



Just a thought and a TTT.

 

[yyzski]

We're thinking along the same lines, especially since the truck runs so well otherwise. Lift pump has been tested and is fine. Dealer had the truck yesterday & here's the report



"Sent the truck into Chrysler this morning to have it tested. 3 hours later they tell me its the injector pump ! Ouch. They tested the TPS and said that it

was working fine. They put a pressure guage on the injector pump and said it was dropping well below normal when the pump would kick out.

As you know the problem is intermittent with no apparent reason as to why the power kicks out and kicks back in again a little as 5 mintues later or as

long of 2 hours later. I guess my questuion is, is there something that tells the pump to kick out and back in again from, lets say, a faulty sensor ?"



If it's truly the VP44, then fine, however, we're reluctant to drop the money on one unless it is absolutely the problem.



Any other thoughts?



Thanks in advance

 

[BillH]

The 5 year/100,000 warrenty covers the injection pump.



BillH

 

[yyzski]

True - thank you. Forgot to mention that the truck has 180,000mi on it... .....



We don't know if the injection pump has been replaced or not.....