Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Check Engine Light-Again

[LCampbell]

About 2 months ago Dodge relocated the lift pump to the fuel tank on my 2002 turbo diesel as a result of the check engine light being on & with codes p-0216 /p-1693 (under warranty). Yesterday the check engine light came on again (about 1700 miles after lift pump relocation) after the truck did not start on the first attempt. It started ok on the second attempt & ran fine for the 120 mile trip home ( codes shown in trip meter window are p pcu, p-1693, p ecu & p 0216). The truck did not start on the first attempt this morning (It usually does) but it started & ran fine on 2 subsequent short trips. I called the Dodge dealer & they say that the lift pump is still under warranty but if it's anything else then I am on my own. The truck is no longer under warranty (101700 miles). am I going to have to bite the bullet & replace the injection pump???

 

[DirtyDodge]

Does not sound good to me. If the dealer can get out of it, believe me, they will. Your truck is out of it's warranty, you will probley be on your own for your VP-44. I would seriously consider an alternative type lift pump. Factory lift pumps have been an ongoing problem. I replace a few and then went with something a little more beefier.



Best of luck.



Derek

 

[Joe Mc]

Like Derek said "Factor LP have been an ongoing problem-replace with something beefier". My solution was GDP-392, big line kit and 2 micron filter system. Check out the GDP site. http://www.glacierdieselpower.com/aboutus.asp Don't be frigtened off by the prices - look at it two ways; you get what you pay for and you'll probably be able to will the system to your grand children.

 

[LCampbell]

Thanks for the replys. Would the GDP-392 that you reference be the same as the GFS-392 for $389 that is shown on the Glacier Diesel web site? Can you comment on todays indications that I got when I rode the truck? When I started it up this morning the RPM was fluctuation 2-300 rpm at idle but it cleared up after about a blocks worth of driving. I drove the truck up to Sacramento this morning & the check engine light came on again (about 45 miles one way) but the truck drove fine. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge in but will be installing one soon. If I put a beefier fuel lift pump kit in such as the one from Glacier what would I have to do with the dodge lift pump that is in the fuel tank now?????

 

[LCampbell]

Today I put a test gauge on the fitting at the inlet to the injection pump and got the following readings (with a new fuel filter) 9 psi after bumping the starter.

6-7 psi at idle

4 psi at 1500 rpm

2 psi at 2000 rpm

Are these readings accecptable

The engine is stock & the lift pump is located in the tank. (done by Dodge under warranty after check engine light came on with a P0216 code. )

PS: The check engine light went out by itself today. Is this normal????

 

[16919]

Not good at all. Should be around 15 +\- @ idle, 13 +\- crusing, 10+\- @ wot, never less than 5 psi or the injection pump will die rather quickly. I'd be getting a new fuel pump or system asap.

 

[LCampbell]

Thanks for the reply. I have an appointment tomorrow with Dodge so they can look at the work they did. Hopefully (ha Ha)they will fix it

 

[DirtyDodge]

I would not run it until you get the fuel delivery in check. A new aftermarket lift pump is expensive, but more expensive if you have to buy a new VP-44 with it. Do your homework on aftermarket lift pumps. At wide open throttle and towing my boat, I can't drop my pressure below 15psi if I wanted to.

 

[Joe Mc]

QUOTE - Would the GDP-392 that you reference be the same as the GFS-392 for $389 that is shown on the Glacier Diesel web site? YES - don't mind me - "I was really very drunk at the time" Pink Floyd Can you comment on todays indications that I got when I rode the truck? When I started it up this morning the RPM was fluctuation 2-300 rpm at idle but it cleared up after about a blocks worth of driving. I drove the truck up to Sacramento this morning & the check engine light came on again (about 45 miles one way) but the truck drove fine. I'd got a cheap OBDII code reader so I didn't have to "guess" - suggest you do likewise - for $100 you can catch them on sale I don't have a fuel pressure gauge in but will be installing one soon. Suggest installing the gauge before anything else - I see that you got a mechanical gauge rigged up and now can see what you have. Remeber the "in-tank" fux - I mean fix thet DC did will not give the pressure your stock LP did - do your homework and choose the correct aftermarket unit. If you are still under warranty I'd get the aftermarket system and place it on a shelf for now - you never know when the VP could go south and as sure as I'm typing in blue text DC wouldn't cover you because of an "after market fuel system modification caused damage to VP". After you turn 100,001 miles install the after market system you chose and BOMBS AWAY!!! If I put a beefier fuel lift pump kit in such as the one from Glacier what would I have to do with the dodge lift pump that is in the fuel tank now????? Probably have to remove it??? Otherwise the GFS-392 might suck it right out of the tank? :-laf

 

[LCampbell]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it. The truck is at the dealers now and they will have it until at least Wednesday. They tell me that the fuel delivery to the injection pump is ok but that the injection pump is bad & probably should have been replaced when it was in the shop for the Check engine light / P0216 code a couple of months ago. They will call Dodge Wednesday to see if Dodge will cover the cost of replacing the injection pump (I'm not going to hold my breath on that one) They say the cost of the pump will be $1700 or so. If I have to pay for it I will replace the pump myself. I've ordered a fp gauge kit so I can monitor the fuel pressure on the run.

 

[Joe Mc]

If they don't replace it, get them to put in writing that they think it should have been replaced when the LP was, and why it isn't being done now. If they replace it I'd drive it easy for a while to make sure they did the job correctly and then drop the BOMBs! Of course start with a real fuel delivery to the VP system first. If they don't replace it that stinks! MHO

 

[LCampbell]

Thanks Joe Mc. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[CSnyder]

Ive had the in tank LP that you have now in my truck for about a year with the same kind of fuel pressure you are reporting and even with both my boxes and hot injectors I havent killed my VP... knock on wood! I also never get an engine light either though. Have you ever pulled your AIT sensor and cleaned it? I do mine each oil change. Best of luck! Chris

 

[24V-DSL]

If I'm reading this right, two months ago and 1700 miles, you were under 100K?



IMO, if the dealer knows you had 0216 (read... VP44 is dying) at that time then they didn't replace the VP, then I'd be mad as hell and all over them for a covered replacement. I hope you have documentation supporting this.



All of the driveability issues you mention are 0216 related. Also, the CEL will go away on it's own in most cases after a number of starts.



You can buy a VP44 from several TDR vendors for ~$1100, so if they deny warranty I'd sure not give them the business, especially for the price they are quoting.



If you're going to go aftermarket for lift pump, do a search here. There's lots of info, and two very popular systems are the FASS and RASP. FASS is probably the most popular. Good luck.

 

[DJLink]

Diamond Diesel in Oakland, (diamonddiesel.com) has the injection pump for $1100.

 

[DJLink]

My first pump died just after the 5 year warranty ended and I called Chrysler customer service and they paid for the pump and I paid for the labor under their "keep the customer happy and buying more stuff" program.

 

[Joe Mc]

My first pump died just after the 5 year warranty ended and I called Chrysler customer service and they paid for the pump and I paid for the labor under their "keep the customer happy and buying more stuff" program.

LCampbell-I wonder if you could do this and tell them when the part comes in "Ah, hah, hah, haahhh - I changed my mind, I'll install it myself"? Hope they will honor their mistake by not doing it when you first got the 0216.

 

[LCampbell]

CSnyder I've pulled the Ait sensor once & cleaned it so I'll do it again. The truck is still at the Dodge dealer. I called the service rep. today & He said that they were still waiting on word from some District service rep on what they are going to do. So maybe I'll hear something tomorrow.

After they replaced / relocated the lift pump the truck ran fine but the heaviest load I pulled with it was my sons ski boat. Now they say something about the VP not putting out enough flow. I plan on installing an aftermarket liftpump after this VP thing is resolved. Thanks to all for the info. This TDR thing an awsome source of info for a novice diesel owner like me.

 

[LCampbell]

Well the truck is back home now & seems to be running fine. Dodge replaced the injection pump calling it a goodwill replacement. It cost me $811. 00 which was 1/2 the bill. All of my p-----G & moaning was to no avail. Apparently the decision was made by the Distric rep. I guess the goodwill was for Dodge as it certianly did not make me feel good. But at least I have a new pump with 12 months of warranty on the pump & labor. Thanks to all who provided advise / help

 

[Joe Mc]

All of my p-----G & moaning was to no avail. But at least I have a new pump

Good News! Now let's get a "real" delivery system on it to keep that new VP, new.