Cummins VP44 Pump Tester

[HVAC]

While at Cummins the other day I spotted a "Gottahavit". I stopped in to see how they were doing with a truck that had come from Dodge, supposedly with a bad pump. The tech told me he had performed a test using this tool and the pump was good. Well it didn't surprise me that Dodge had misdiagnosed the problem, that's why the truck wan now at Cummins.



The dealership had red tagged the warranty and the truck sat for three weeks with nothing being done with it. They said the pump was toast as a result of something the owner had done, and to fix it would run several thousand bucks! It struck me that with this pump tester we can call their bluff. We recently had a similiar situation with another dealer which turned out to be a bad injector! The dealer even logged that the truck had the pump wire tapped. This was out and out BS! In general I think it's time for the dealers to quit trying to snow the truck owners and do their job properly.



So, here's how the device works. It has a red and black lead which hook onto the battery. You pull the pump connector off the back of the pump and then connect the tester to the pump. In your hand you have the controller which had a kill button, a high idle button, and a light to indicate the power supply is good. So, with the OEM harness now off the pump, the only signal communicating with the pump is coming from the tester. You would start the truck at this point and if it starts it will idle at the normal rpm. You then hit the high idle button to see if the pump responds. If it goes to high idle the pump is fine. If it doesn't start, then the pump is bad.

No gray area.



Guys have learned to jump the #6 & #7 pins to test the VP44, but this tool is very simple and quick to use for those that aren't interested in building their own device. If you call cummins, it's part number 3163834. It isn't cheap, but for a shop I think it makes sense to purchase the tool.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Interesting and informative - but what will be even MORE interesting, is hearing what the numbskull Dodge dealer will have to say now, and how they will respond to the original problem THEY mis-diagnosed...

 

[#2DSL]

You would think Dodge dealer would have one of these testers. Dumb *******s!

 

[CPFF]

Tester

Nowel

If I remember correctly, "Blue Chip" sells a VP 44 Pump tester I think for about $75. 00.

CPFF

 

[HVAC]

Hello CPFF

Thanks for jumping in here CPFF



Your thought came up earlier today. My response was that I had talked to Chip about his tester and He seemed a bit low key. He said they had seen where their tester had not been completely accurate.



The Cummins tester takes over control of the VP44 and allows it to run unimpaired of ECM signals or other forces that might complicate things. With this tester you eliminate all other influences.



The Blue Chip tester would let you know if there were signals coming from the ECM. It' wouldn't enable the VP44 however. With the BC tester you fault the pump if the tester recognizes signals from the ECM. With the Cummins tester you are able to start the engine while bypassing all other devices.



If I'm off base here please let me know cause I don't want to 'cause Blue Chip any harm.



I wish we could think up a new trick tool for you to build CPFF

 

[A Johnson]

HVAC, I have used this tester and it is pretty cool, eliminates alot of BS real quick especially the no start situations, hickup at idle etc. . Having said all that, what I don't know is how the pump will act with a "load demand". Do you know of anyone trying to drive a truck with this connected and set to high idle? I am curious if it would hold a load and acceleration etc. , on a good pump that had no issues, vs a situation such as your friends where he couldn't accelerate past 25 mph. At any rate when Cummins West figures out what is wrong this may answer part of my questions. I am watching that thread with much anticipation. A Johnson

 

[HVAC]

WOW! Driving the truck with the tester connected?

I don't know The instructions don't mention that. It just says hook it up and start the truck. Then try the high idle button and see if it responds.



Regarding the truck at Cummins West, everybody believes it is in "Limp Mode". Somethings not right and the fuel injection won't allow normal fueling. It's like the MAP sensor is unplugged. There aren't any codes in the ECM, however I bet there is one in the PCM.



I agree this tool would save a bunch of time. The instructions say that with a no start condition, make sure the fuel lines are purged and then use the tester to check the pump. Maybe thirty minutes worth of work. But what would we use for a scapegoat then?

 

[d90boy]

I've seen this tool as well, it's also available through Miller SPX and carries the same part number as cummins.



Another cool tool is the fuel injector adaptor that lets you put the 24V injectors on a pop tester and also clean them. That's SPX part number 8301.



The must have is the injector tube puller, 8324, that lets you pull the injector tube out of the way before trying to remove a fuel injector. IMO this step is important for changing injectors and is wrongfully omitted from some directions such as diesel dynamics. The tool costs $7, a bargain in anyone's book.