Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) check engine light question

[phoekema]

As you can see by my signature, I have made some modifications to my 98. 5 3500. Before going any further, though, I would just like to state that no changes have been made in the last 5000-6000 miles pulling my 5th wheel and I have never had any error codes prior to this last weekend.

After pulling the trailer to the site and unhooking it, the next day we are driving down a gravel road near my son's house, doing about 40-50 mph and suddenly it was as if someone took my foot off the go pedal. Truck was coasting, engine at 1100 rpm approx, & mashing the throttle did nothing. I let off, slowed down to almost nothing and pushed the pedal again - then we take off just fine except now the check engine light is on.

I was a bit concerned about getting home again, but since it seemed to run ok since the one loss of power situation, we took a chance, hooked up and headed home. The truck pulled just fine the 100 + miles home and all is well except the check engine light will not go off. I have started the truck at least 10-12 times since and that has not reset it. Last night, I unhooked the batteries for about 40 minutes. Other than having to reset time, presets etc, that didn't clear the light either. I have read many of the entries on this list re: the check engine and it has been mentioned Auto Zone can read/reset the codes and light. I understand since I have a 98. 5 the on-off-on-off-on cycling of the ignition switch won't work for me.

Any ideas? If I had to guess, I would go with the APPS sensor, but it seems it would reset itself (the light anyway) by now, especially since the actual loss of throttle control has only happened once. Before heading for the local Auto Zone, I thought I would toss this out for any ideas or comments. The puzzling part to me is there have been times it was pulling hard, running in hot summer weather, even involved in a stop light contest or two - during these times - no light - no problems. Then one day just rolling along easily at 40 mph or so the problem shows up. I have turned off the Edge Comp too but that doesn't help re: resetting the light.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I think you might have a low fuel pressure problem. My friends 99 did the same thing. A few weeks later by by VP44. Get a fuel pressure guage on it. A pussher pump might work too... .

 

[Bob Wagner]

98 would have a P pump





dirty filter?





edit most use 98. 5 next time I will look closer

 

[David Wilson]

Sometimes the fueling box and your ECM just don't communicate. It is usually caused by a faulty connection. Try checking the MAP Sensor connection, pump wire connection (if used) and the power wire connection for the box. While the condition you discribe is usually caused by the pump wire connection, I would check them all and apply dielectric grease to the connections.



Disconnecting the batterys won't reset anything but the radio and time. If the condition that caused the code doesn't reoccure in about 15 starts, the check engine light will go out. The code is stored in the computer for the dealer to read and reset.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by Bob Wagner

98 would have a P pump





dirty filter?

I think he said 98. 5?

 

[JR2]

Hey Bob - check his sig... 98-24v... .



Anyway... its sounds like an APPS (TPS) problem. They happend for no apparent reason and how you drive will not effect when they happen. If I where you I would go have the codes pulled and see what you get. My guess is you will get the APPS/TPS code... .



John

 

[phoekema]

Good ideas....

Thanks for the ideas. I will have the code(s) read. While I am at it, I will probably replace the fuel filter too since it did not get changed the last time when I did the oil & filter change. I change fuel filter every other oil change and the local Cummins guys were out of fuel filters the last time when it was due.

It will probably be tomorrow before I get to it, but I will post the results. Thanks again.

 

[rbyrd]

tps

i just went through this last month autozone will clear the codes. mine came back on in about 10 days and it got were the pedal did like yours ,mainly at 40 to 50 mph . the tps that autozone is not for a 24 valve ,stealer item only put it is easy to install but if you want to try this this might work temp. undo both neg. battery cables and wait 30 minutes then put back on and turn the key on but do not start mash the pedal slowly to the floor and easy back up on it then crank this will set the computer to the range of the pedal u may have to crank it a couple time to get the light to go off . also if your truck has around 100,000 mile get ready to buy a tps $400. 00 cummins does not have it either . good luck

 

[phoekema]

update

Well I went to Auto Zone and they read the codes for me. There was nothing very definitive (p253 p1693 p251 I think). Then they tried to clear the codes with no luck. Looks like I will have to go to a dealer to get the codes cleared and the light turned off. I am not complaining about Auto Zone - they gave it a try and didn't even charge for the service. Can't ask any more than that from them. I mention this to inform others that evidently some codes cannot be cleared by anyone but a dealer - unless there may be a newer version of the code reading tool that would do the job.



During all this, I have put on a couple hundred miles with about half of that pulling my 14,000 lb trailer with no more problems other than that darn light.

 

[tgbol]

Code P0251:

Fuel injection pump mecahical failure fuel valve curcuit.

Code P0253:

Fuel injection pump fuel valve circuit open.



Code 1693: Just means that there was a communication glitch between the truck and engine computers. comes up almost everytime a code is set.



I got the P0251 code once. Just going down a hill and hit the throttle at the bottom. When I put a gauge on the injector pump I discovered that I had a bad fuel filter.

I would check the wiring connectors at the injector pump and to the E-Z before going to the dealer.

 

[Bob4x4]

1693 means you need to look in the other module to read it's code. This code is not a glitch or communication failure

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Originally posted by Bob4x4

1693 means you need to look in the other module to read it's code. This code is not a glitch or communication failure

That is exactly what it means Bob... .

 

[tgbol]

Greg & Bob

Thanks for translating what I was trying to say. I knew when I wrote it didn't sound right.

tgb

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

To clear the code for good, or at least till it resets pull the three plugs from the ecm and pcm on fire wall behind the airbox. this will reset everything..... no codes