Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ECM Version

[mstephenson]

I am in the process of updating/checking everything. One chronic suspicion I have is someone reprogrammed/detuned my ECM the first time I had my lift pump changed. It's never run the same since.



How do I know what version I should have? If the dealership checks/updates it, how do I know the performance map is the same as what the truck was advertised at? If these two questions are sensitive to dodge, can a diesel performance place satisfy my inquiry?



Thank you,



Michele

 

[rkressg]

I doubt that the ECM performance curves have been affected by the Dodge Dealer. There are few programs out there that can do this (such as a Smarty). Anything is possible, but you could have a different issue.

Do you have Fuel Pressure, Boost, and Pyro gauges?

That is where I would start. You could have a leak in the Air Supply to the intake and not be generating the same level of boost. Also, you could have a fuel supply issue and not be delivering enough fuel to the VP44. You could also have the start of a failing VP44.

If you can, get the truck scanned for codes (on the 99, the key on/off/on/off/on method unfortunately does not work).

-Rich

 

[mstephenson]

I have fuel pressure guage (14#s/11#s), pyro, and boost (18 max). I'm on my third lift pump which has been relocated next to the tank including bigger lines and I replaced the original fuel injector pump this time last year (193K mi).



My ideas were to make sure things like the ECM were up to snuff, I'm in the process of changing out the APPS since I think there are dead spots ~2000RPM. I need the valves adjusted so I was going to put in new injectors while the top was off. I don't know if there is a way to check the wastegate on this model. I'll have to read more on that in the future. Eventually, plug in a chip to get a little more umpff outa the ride.



I would be happy with truck I bought, but I don't think I'm driving it. So, I'm now finding out why.



Any comments would are appreciated.

 

[Bob Wagner]

If you bought the truck new in 1999 did you ever have the emission reflash done?



That would be the biggest power loss on a 99



So you have the original vp44?

 

[mstephenson]

I've never heard of the emisison reflash. Can you tell me more about it? Can it be fixed back to what it was off the lot? So many questions...



I don't have the original vp44. I'm on my second one at the moment. It lasted 193K and was replaced last July. The guy who changed it out said he had a tuner at one time, but doesn't anymore. He would plug it directly into the vp44 and change the settings there.