Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Changing VP44; 9-way connector stuck

[NWest]

Howdy folks-



Today I was swapping my dead VP44 for a new one from blue chip diesel, but I'm stopped at VP44 removal.



The VP44 electrical plug won't disconnect from the pump, because one side of the slide-out lock on the plug just won't budge. Does anybody have any tips on getting this part moving? How fragile is it?



Thank you for your consideration.



-NWest

 

[ihegdal]

I ran into something similar several years ago. I had used a strong citrus based engine degreaser and it had melted/fused the edges of the connector together. I was able to use an xacto knife and by repeatedly scoring the joint was able to get the connector apart.



Are you aware that there is a connector locking mechanism?

 

[JMetzger]

You might call Chip Fisher at Blue Chip where you bought the pump. I know that he is very helpful at helping people with problems on install of VP-44 pumps since you bought the pump from him.

 

[NWest]

I ran into something similar several years ago. I had used a strong citrus based engine degreaser and it had melted/fused the edges of the connector together. I was able to use an xacto knife and by repeatedly scoring the joint was able to get the connector apart.



Are you aware that there is a connector locking mechanism?

I'll inspect the connector to see if there's evidence that the locking mechanism is fused. To clarify, it's the slide-out locking mechanism that's stuck in place; I'm hesitant to use brute force, since it seems a bit flimsy.

 

[NWest]

Okay, problem fixed. Looks like there is a clear finish sprayed on the plate atop the vp44, well some of this seems to have gotten into the connector slide lock, preventing it from sliding open.

A couple of hammer taps on the stuck side loosened it up.

Thanks for the help.

 

[JayStraight]

Did you get the Special 'X' pump or just their stock one???? Let us know how it performs afterwards, I'm getting ready to do the same thing to my 2002. After the AirDog installation my VP44 just gave up!

 

[NWest]

I purchased the "Special X". So far, I have observed:

• A smaller puff of smoke when starting;
• A little bit more engine vibration; and
• More power— today the truck threw a P0234 code (indicating overboost) while I was getting on the highway at WOT; perhaps a sign that the upgraded fuel delivery system is getting ahead of the ecm.

I would tentatively state that there's a substantial improvement in fuel economy. My findings are tentative because I haven't even run a whole tank through this new pump yet; however, the on-board fuel economy display is reading a good 3 mpg better than before installing the Special X, for near identical driving conditions (hilly city conditions, lots of short trips, reads 21. 6 mpg with the Special X-- on the last pump, would have read 17. 5).

Obviously, take any on-board fuel economy reading on a modded truck with a big grain of salt. It's also worth noting that the old VP44 might have been limping along for some time, with degraded performance. Like I said, once I've run a tank or two on this pump and hand-calculated my fuel economy, I'll post an update here and give some before and after numbers.