Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Dead pedal and trouble codes

[Doug_Janowski]

2001 dodge cummins 4x4 auto! I have been experiencing dead pedal when getting on it and fist gear chugging! code p-0602 (control module programming error, ECM is reporting a non or failed programming condition, ECM not programmed or failed Ecm) P-1689 ( Communication between ECM and IPM, ECM detected it could not communicate with injection pump module, probable cause, Failed injection pump module or open or shorted circuit condition) and P-1693... ... The ECM and vp44 are both less than a year old and the ecm was bought and installed by south point dodge! I dont know if i have to get it reflashed or what? All i have dont to the truck is 180hp injectors S03 smarty cold air 4inch exhaust. What could be causing dead pedal and check engine light to come on??

 

[JLandry]

Hi Doug,



The trouble codes you reported are causing the check engine light to come on.



Start by swapping out he fuel injection pump relay (located in the Power Dist. Center on the driver's fender under the hood) with another known good relay of the same size such as the horn or wiper relay. If that doesn't help, you might want to try resetting the ECM programing back to stock with your Smarty and see if that changes anything.



Failing that, it’s either going to be a loose wire or connector between the ECM and VP44... or it’s a bad VP44 or ECM.



Please keep us posted.



John L.

 

[Doug_Janowski]

ok thank you for your help, so i put the truck to stock ( with the same fuel system relay in) I drove it for about 15 miles just so the ecm would get used to everything, i put the truck in park and reved it up fast and hard... ... . boom check engine light came back on!? Erased the code (which was the same from before) put a brand new fuel system relay in and reved it up and light didn't come on, but just like before the truck was in stock mode and from a dead stop i floored it and in first gear at about 3100 rpm the light popped back on! At the same time only fist gear chugged a little! So now i need some more help, i have noticed light will not turn on while drive normal only when you get on it! It keeps saying no or bad signal between ecm and ipm!? I NEED HELP

 

[JLandry]

... i put the truck to stock ( with the same fuel system relay in) I drove it for about 15 miles just so the ecm would get used to everything, i put the truck in park and reved it up fast and hard... ... . boom check engine light came back on!?

Which trouble code?

... from a dead stop i floored it and in first gear at about 3100 rpm the light popped back on!

Again, which trouble code (this is important to narrow down the exact cause).

i have noticed light will not turn on while drive normal only when you get on it!

Then just don't "get on it"! JUST KIDDING!

It keeps saying no or bad signal between ecm and ipm!?

So your ONLY getting the P1689 trouble code now?



You might try these ideas next:



With the engine idling, carefully wiggle the wiring harness that connects to the VP44 fuel injection pump and see if the MIL (Malfunction Indicator Lamp) comes on or the idle quality changes. Don't yank the crap out of the wiring harness, just move it around a little.



Do the same to the wiring harness connected to the ECM. See if that causes the MIL to illuminate or the idle to change.



In either case, if the MIL illuminates, be sure and record which trouble code is set and report back here with the results.



If neither of the above tests turns up anything, remove the VP44 wiring harness connector, examine it for any obvious signs of damaged pins or sockets, then thoroughly clean it with aerosol contact cleaner (available at most auto parts and hardware stores). Reconnect and disconnect the connector a few times to help insure good contact between the pins and sockets.



Do the same routine with the 50-pin connector attached to the ECM. You'll need a metric Allen wrench to remove the ECM connector (I can't remember the size).



Test drive the truck and let us know if this changes anything.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[Doug_Janowski]

Sorry about that ill be more specific... . It is still throwing the code p-1689 and p-1693! I will try and work on the truck tomorrow, if i disconnect the batteries and pull off the connections to the ecm and the injector pump will i have any problems of any kind putting all back together? Should it start up right away?

 

[Bob4x4]

If the dealer installed the inj pump less than 12k ago and it has failed again both parts and labor will be covered as long as it was not tapped

 

[Bob4x4]

Sorry about that ill be more specific... . It is still throwing the code p-1689 and p-1693! I will try and work on the truck tomorrow, if i disconnect the batteries and pull off the connections to the ecm and the injector pump will i have any problems of any kind putting all back together? Should it start up right away?

no worries... it will fire right up,the 1693 tells me you have a code in the pcm also... ... ... . scan it see what you have

 

[JLandry]

It is still throwing the code p-1689 and p-1693!

Under these circumstances you can ignore that P1693 trouble code. That's the PCM reporting that the ECM has a trouble code set (the P1689).

... if i disconnect the batteries and pull off the connections to the ecm and the injector pump will i have any problems of any kind putting all back together? Should it start up right away?

Assuming you can remember where the connectors came off (it's REALLY obvious), then no, you shouldn't have any trouble.



The VP44 connector has a sort of bayonet-like device that must be slid down to unlock the connector. Once you move that slider, the connector easily pulls off the VP44.



The ECM has a 50-pin connector that is held in place by a single metric Allen head cap screw in the center of the connector. As you unscrew this fastener, the connector backs out of the ECM. It's sort of a PITA to reach and it may help to remove the bolts holding the fuel filter housing in place so you can tilt it out of the way.



Disconnecting and reconnecting these connectors WITH THE IGNITION OFF shouldn't have any effect on restarting the engine. It should start right up as if you hadn't done anything. It's worth emphasizing that you DO NOT want to disconnect them with the ignition ON or you risk damaging the electronics in the ECM and VP44.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[Doug_Janowski]

i was going to disconnect the batteries and go from there but my smarty is currently programmed to the ecm on level 9, that is that ok? or do i need to put the truck back to stock?

 

[JLandry]

i was going to disconnect the batteries and go from there but my smarty is currently programmed to the ecm on level 9, that is that ok? or do i need to put the truck back to stock?

In theory, having the Smarty program loaded in the ECM shouldn't matter (it's only software after all), but personally I always prefer to have the factory programming loaded in the ECM when troubleshooting problems like this. It eliminates a variable and any possible connection.



After you reconnect the batteries, be sure to recalibrate the ECM to the APPS (Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor) BEFORE STARTING the engine as follows:



Turn key to ON position. Without starting engine, slowly press throttle pedal to floor and then slowly release. This step must be done (one time) to ensure accelerator pedal position sensor calibration has been learned by ECM. If not done, possible DTC's may be set.



That's straight from the Dodge Service Manual.



Regards,



John L.

 

[Doug_Janowski]

ok thank you i will try all of those things this weekend and let you know how it goes!

 

[Doug_Janowski]

i unpluged my ecm and my injector pump and cleaned it all up and that fixed all my problems so far! thank you everybody for your help!!

 

[JLandry]

i unpluged my ecm and my injector pump and cleaned it all up and that fixed all my problems so far! thank you everybody for your help!!

That's great news. Thanks for letting us know how things turned out



Drive safe,



John L.