Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) a trans question

[Jim Ross]

When pulling our 27 ft 5th wheel trailer, I sometimes get what I can best describe as a "burp" or a "miss". I think it is transmission related and no Check Engine light comes on. The truck has only done this when pulling the trailer, never when driven "solo".

The truck is a 4WD 2001 Cummins with automatic (Sun Coast TC and valve body with BD pressure lock). The unit has about 110K miles on it and the fluid has been changed at roughly 40K mile intervals, it is clean and has no odor.

One transmission shop told me they could only guess that one of the solenoids in the valve body was starting to go bad, but without a check engine light, they could only guess. Since the transmission was serviced only 20K miles ago, I don't want to drop the pan needlessly or start replacing parts without really knowing what is going on.

FYI, I did have to cover the brown wire coming off the alternator with metal foil to stop a problem with the OD shifts, but that was a couple of years ago.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks.

 

[JLandry]

Jim,



I haven't it had it happen to me, but I've read where others here on the forum describe a similar brief "miss" and it later turned out to be the Bosch VP44 fuel injection pump in the early stages of failure.



Use a trouble code scanner and check for codes. Note that not all trouble codes will illuminate the malfunction indicator lamp. But even if you don't find any trouble codes, keep in mind that the VP44 often does fail without any warning beforehand.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[Jim Ross]

Thanks John.
I think I will go to one of the local parts stores and see if they can scan it for me and possibly get a code.
Obviously, I sure hope it is NOT the VP44..... it failed once at 55K miles and I have 65K miles on the replacement. I have had a FASS fuel pump installed since the 55K mile VP44 replacement was put in and my fuel pressure never drops below 13 or 14psi.
If I am losing another VP44 that I have to pay for (I paid for the last one out of pocket plus I have had endless problems with the A/C in this truck that Dodge did not cover), then I will give serious thought to letting someone else be the owner of this truck and I will find something else to drive and spend my money on..... or maybe a less expensive solution would be to transplant a gas engine in this truck and be done with the worries over the VP44... . that would still not fix my A/C tho.

 

[JLandry]

Look on the bright side Jim... buying and installing a replacement VP44 is probably a lot cheaper than having the transmission rebuilt!

Hopefully it's something cheap and simple to fix.

Please keep us posted.

John L.

PS: You may be able to pull up any stored trouble codes by turning the ignition key ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON (leave on) and watch the odometer window. Be prepared to write down any codes you see as they flash on the screen one-by-one.

 

[mrmurphynv]

What is a good trouble code scanner to get?

I have a stock '02 2500 FWD Automatic

 

[JLandry]

What is a good trouble code scanner to get?
I have a stock '02 2500 FWD Automatic

Mr. Murphy in Nevada,

Pretty much any code scanner is fine if all you want to do is read stored trouble codes and and clear them. The price climbs as "features" get added to the unit... stuff like the ability to read OBDII data in real-time, store data for review later on, the ability to display trouble code descriptions right on the screen, etc. But you certainly don't need any of that. As long as you have the trouble codes, a quick search on Google or here on the forum will tell you everything you need to know about the trouble code. Code scanners are available everywhere now... your favorite auto parts store, Harbor Freight Tools, and even Walmart carries them at low prices.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[Jim Ross]

John,
I went into AutoZone and their scanner picked up no codes at all..... however when I tried your method of turning the key off and on, I got the following codes:
P PCU
P doNE
P ECU
P doNE
in the order shown.
So what does that tell us?

 

[JLandry]

So what does that tell us?

Jim,



It indeed means there were no stored codes were found in either the PCM or ECM.



I guess about all you can do for now is drive it a bit more and see if it gets any worse... or is at least repeatable under certain operating conditions. In the mean time, it wouldn't hurt to do a little research on how to replace a VP44 here on the forum. There are some great videos posted on YouTube which are helpful. It's not a difficult job if you prepare yourself beforehand and will save you lots of money on labor. You also have time to shop around for where to buy a rebuilt unit.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[Jim Ross]

Is there some place that tells me what those codes mean?

 

[JLandry]

Is there some place that tells me what those codes mean?

Jim,

Do you mean the "P PCU" and "P doNE" etc. codes?

Well I'm not sure where it's documented in Chrysler literature (I haven't seen it), but the "P PCU" code signals the start of a list of any ODBII "P" (Powertrain) DTC's (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) stored in the Chrysler PCM (Powertrain Control Module). "P doNE" signals the end of this list (had there been any).

The "P ECU" code signals the start of any DTC's stored in the Cummins ECM (Engine Control Module) which is located on the side of the engine.

"PCU" and "ECU" are outdated abbreviations Chrysler used which meant "Powertrain Control Unit" and "Engine Control Unit. " They have since been replaced by PCM and ECM.

You'll find tons of info on DTC's if you do a simple Google search on the "automotive diagnostic trouble codes" or something similar.

Best regards,

John L.

 

[DFerverda]

Here is a link to codes.
https://www.turbodieselregister.com...1996-2001-generic-obdii-code-definitions.html