Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) a couple of questions

[Bobalos]

Dead VP44

I was on the way home from Home Depot yesterday & I was bookin' it up this slight hill & it just died. I coasted onto another road & looked down & the CEL was lit. I cranked it over & it cranks just fine, just no fire.



its a 99, 2WD, Auto, 140,000 Miles, with nothing special done to it. I have a Fuel pressure gauge, boost gauge, pre & Post EGT's going to a Bully Dog "outlook" & I have a Mallory 140 fuel pump mounted back by the tank that feeds right up to the Fuel filter.



I have always had great lift pump pressure since I installed the Mallory pump & it seems to work great for me.



I had it towed home yesterday, & today scanned it. it has P0237 & a P1688 codes. I dunno if the P0237 (Map sensor voltage input below the minimum accpetable voltage) is from the little "bypass" thing that the Bully Dog does or what I would imagine so. but from scanning through the old posts it sounds like the P1688 (internal fuel injection pump controller failure) means I most likely need to get a new VP44.



I have disconnected the Bully Dog & no change.



I cracked the petcock on the fuel filter & there is fuel there & the Lift pump is working (I have fuel pressure), so I dont think thats the problem.



So, I suppose the question is, does it sound like it is the injection pump (I want someone else to say it, LOL)?



Is there a way to do an honest test on the VP44 to see if its bad?



how much time does it take a cummins mechanic to replace the VP44?



If I was to do it myself, will I need any specialty tools?



where would a good place to get a pump be?



Is there anyone here in the San Diego, CA Area recomend anyone here to replace it?



Sorry for the long post I wanted to cover as many questions as I could up front.





thanks a bunch folks, I REALY appreciate this resource.



Bob

 

[johncameron]

Your VP-44 is dead.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=148620



Sorry :{



John

 

[AFarmer]

I'll have to agree with that one. Sorry to hear that.

 

[Bobalos]

How long does it take to replace?



do you need any specialty tools?



thanks

Bob

 

[AFarmer]

Install time should be 2 to 3 hours and all you'll need is a steering wheel puller which you can probably rent from an Advance Auto or an Auto Zone.

 

[DMannon]

I took all day doing mine, but I futzed around with some other stuff (CPS, big lines filter-to-pump) while I was doing it. It wasn't that hard; Blue Chip sends out a gear puller for a $50 deposit, returned with your core deposit. You'll need a mirror to looksee in the little hole.

Look here: http://turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156993&highlight=T50+torx

and here: http://www.nwbombers.com/membersites/kent/vp44.html

and here: http://cumminsdatabase.com/read.php?id=130

 

[Bobalos]

thanks a bunch, I liked the picture tutorial. I am probably going to remove the front end so I can get a look @ the KDP as well, as I have never checked it. I might take it appart & check it out B4 I order the new pump so I can take my time & get it all put back together again @ one whack & not have to sweat missing parts.



thanks again guys, this site is AWESOME.



bob

 

[Bobalos]

You know I got to thinking today. I have not had ONE problem with this thing since Ive got it, I installed that Bully Dog Outlook & now the VP44 takes a dump. is there any correlation between the two????



Bob

 

[DMannon]

What did your fuel pressure look like before the fall? I think most of these VP failures are due to low pressure/volume. Is the 1688 code talking about the VPs electronics? If so, maybe it was the Bully Dog... .



Here's some good reading: http://www.bluechipdiesel.com/injectionpumpfailures.html



Keep in mind this article's a couple of years old, and almost all the new replacement pumps have upgraded electronics and steel replacing brass or aluminum parts. Still, it's a good starting point.

 

[Bobalos]

I found that last night & there is another one on thier site. I found it VERY good reading. I really dont think it was low fuel pressure. I have a Mallory 140 fuel pump, that I mounted back by the tank. I bolted it to the frame rail & spliced into the fuel line right as it comes out of the tank. Im running -6 AN fittings/line from the pump right up to the filter housing. I never have any less than 10 Lbs of fuel pressure even @ full load @ WOT. I have been running this for about a 1 1/2 years now & ~40,000 Miles. I was thinking of giving them a call this morning, but trying to call from work is a PITB & they are east coast & Im west so... ... ..... its difficult.



I dont suppose why its dead is important @ this point, but I dont want to put a $1500 pump in it & kill it again. this diesel is getting to be impractical. with as little as I drive it any more (because fuel is $. 50/gallon more than regular, & my Honda gets 35 MPG) & the expense of the parts, an old dually with a 454 is sounding more & more appealing.



Bob