Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) experienced surge & dead pedal (long)

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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Death of An Old Friend...

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posted here before, have had check engine light on for a year but truck has run perfect until this week. Local dealer diagnosed bad lift pump back then but I needed truck for towing that same week, so I picked it up and have driven it since. The truck is an 02 and has only has 33k miles as you can see I only use it to tow with. Since the 100k 5 year warranty is going to run out I had my wife take it to thew dealer for warranty work. The female service manager said after looking at their computer (the previous diagnosis) that the lift pump is NOT covered since it is external to the engine and they would not cover the work under warrenty.

I have been working out of town 300 miles for the last 10 months so I only come home some weekends.

Just this week while gently accelerating the engine did not pull away in 3rd gear then surged ahead and drove fine until last night when I tried to accelerate, it did not, (pushing the go pedal did nothing) so I gently eased into the throttle and it finally took off slowly.

I have always used some kind of lubricant with the fuel since new; I changed out the lift pump at about 12k miles when I installed a fuel pressure guage and genos upgraded banjo bolts. Somehow however The gauge line had an air pocket and showed low lift pump pressure and I know now that the original lift pump was fine, but now I still have it as a spare anyhow.

I know I could change the VP 44 out myself in 4 hours with a reported $1100 in parts. Or I could just have the dealer fix it and then sue in small claims court (up to $5k ). I am unable to decide what to do as I anticipate being employed away from home for months to come. could it be something as simple as a TPS switch or should i just bite the bullet and have a pro do the work? I am making more $ than I would if I was working locally.

edit; BTW, The lift pump pressure shows 16 PSI at all times!
 
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Your truck is covered under warranty for both the IP and LP. They will put in the in-tank LP tho. I would have them put the IP on and you get yourself the LP.
 
Get your warranty book out, look under Cummins engine warranty the vp44 (injection pump) should be listed. In my warranty book it is listed.

It should also me covered under the Federal Emission Warranty. Check it out.



Find out what the codes are.
 
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