Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Fuel problem (maybe)

[NWhitney]

My dad has a '99 reg cab, 4X4, auto, LWB, CTD with 113,000 miles. STOCK, dead stock no nothing, not even exhaust. And now the truck is having what I think are fuel pressure or at least fuel supply problems. If the truck sits overnight when dad goes to turn it on in the morning it will not start up the first time and acts as if it is not receiving fuel. Dad is not a good one to wait for the WAIT light to go out and starts it fast, before the grid heater warms up. I have got him to slow down on the starting procedure and this has not helped. I do not hear the Lift Pump kick on all the time when it is turned to the on position on the key. Is this normal???? I have ordered a Fuel Pressure gauge from Geno's but it is on back order and will not be here for a while. Yesterday the truck threw a check engine light on while dad was driving. Great I though now I will know what is wrong!! Well when I turned the key three times like I always do on all my OBD II systems the light goes out!!! Now what do I do... I had and light and now it is not there. When I cycled the key next time, wait a sec and start the truck and it starts right up... no hesitation at all. Then the truck revs to 1100 for about 1 sec and then returns to normal idle speed. Today when dad started the truck he said there was no problem with start up. However he thought it would be a good idea to do a funny thing, he turned the key on 3 or 4 times to try and listen to the lift pump and never heard it so he started it and it started just fine. ANY and ALL help would be great. I am stumped and am not sure what the next thing to do is. Can I still retrieve codes when the light is not on or has it ate them? SORRY for the length but I wanted to give all the info the first time. THANK YOU!!!

 

[Ron Bissett]

You could be using the injector pump to suck the fuel from the tank to run the truck , When you put in on position pump should run for five or six seconds then stop when starter is selected pump will run for up to twenty five seconds (Bumping the starter but not starting ) you should be able to hear it or feel it at the pump . Do get a guage and tap in the top of the filter 1/8 npt before or after filter two ports. Lol Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[cumminspwr01]

Did you check all the usual things like the filter and search for leaks Also I would think that if you where having such a fueling problem at startup then the truck wouldnt run very well. Are you having any problems with power or once the truck has been running for a while?

 

[cumminspwr01]

Also about the code(s) take the truck to your local autozone they should have an OBDII machine there and be able to tell you the codes and also erase them for you. The lift pump doesnt cycle everytime you bump the ignition. But it should cycle the first time everytime. But if you bump the ignition wait for it to cycle then bump it again it wont always cycle a second time. You will usually have to wait a couple seconds maybe a minute before it works again.

 

[NWhitney]

Cumminspwr01,

Will the codes still be in the ODB II even thought the light did not flash when I did the key thing or all they gone. After I did that the check engine light went out. Also the truck is at full power once it is running. I hauled a full load of hay today and it as much power as it ever has. I was not hard on it but it had the low and mid range response that it usally does.



Ron,

Do you mean that the Lift Pump should run for 25 sec or the VP will run for 25 sec??

 

[justinp20012500]

Even though thereis not a check engine light, there could be codes stored. Also, I had a LP that sounded like it was running fine but there was no fuel coming out the supply end. I would at the least install a FP guage. (Cheap insurance)

 

[DavidC]

Yes the codes are stored until cleared with a scanner. 99 does not support the ign. switch routine. Cycling the key 3 times on a 99 essentially turns the check engine light off showing 3 successful runs and the code not being set again.



Dave

 

[cumminspwr01]

The lift pump should run The engine has to be running for the vp44 to work. The vp is gear driven.

 

[NWhitney]

Fixed (kinda)

I got the light to come on again today and took it to my local AutoZone. They came back with a out of adjustment Crankshaft Position Sensor. So that is good new I guess... at least I don't have to sink money in a new VP! I am still waiting for my fuel pressure gauge from Geno's. So dad is running to cummins to get that sensor in the morning and replace it.

 

[cumminspwr01]

You should send the old sensor with him I think there is a core charge on it.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Run or not

Originally posted by cumminspwr01

The lift pump should run The engine has to be running for the vp44 to work. The vp is gear driven.

If the starter turn the motor over the gear driven injector pump will pump and if the lift or transfer pump is not working the suction from the injector pump can and will suck the fuel and the truck will run and no indication of failed lift pump could lead to the failure of the injector pump . Thats why a good fuel pressure gauge is almost mandatory. Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY

 

[cumminspwr01]

Yeah but if you just bump the starter and stop the vp44 will not continue to pump on its own(thats what I meant).

 

[NWhitney]

SOLVED

I did change the CKP the other day and now the truck runs great, starts great and no more ODB II lights. Just thought this might be helpful if anyone else has this problem... . STILL waiting on my FP gauge from Geno's