Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How to deal with dealership on vp44...

[EKoster]

Took in the truck yesterday. Stated dead pedal problem and 0216 code. Service advisor calls me back this morn. to tell me that they tested the lift pump and it is bad. But, they have to have to replace the fuel filter before testing for the warranty. (this is a voicemail) So, he proceeds to tell me that the fuel filter replacement will cost $105. I think thats A little high. Also, he didn't even address the vp44. I have a feeling he's going to tell me that "they tested it and it's fine. " What do I need to tell this guy? Thanks



Eric

 

[Dieselram]

I would tell them not to touch my truck and I would take it to another dealership. If that is not possible tell them not to touch your truck and head that way. Stop at napa and get a $15 fuel filter and install it youself. then tell them to test it, and tell them you want the Vp-44 tested also

 

[nhincher]

I just went through this, started getting the dead pedal problem before last winter. Only problem was it only happened when it was warm out. Took it in several times but they could not reproduce the problem (0216 code too). The one I liked is they told me they fixed the problem by tightening the hose clamps on the boost tubes... eventually they replaced the lift pump.



long story short I had to find a different dealer and it took 3 trips there but they finally swapped it after 'fixing it' by installing yet another new lift pump. I talked to the tech who worked on it, he wanted to change the VP the first visit but the star line wouldn't let him order it without testing the lift pump flow rate (which the first "new" one failed).



I think you should find a different dealer and change the filter yourself before you take it in. May have to wait until the problem is more easily reproduced. Star Line sucks!

 

[EKoster]

Yeah, called them back. Said the lp is going to be replaced under warranty. They could not produce the results needed to replace the vp44, so they can't change it. I asked about the fuel filter, they charge $54!!!! for the freakin filter and $60 labor to install it. GEEZUS!!!! So I told him to replace the lp, I would replace the filter and that was that. I talked to the service supervisor and told him the situation. He said that if they replace the lp and I get the 0216 code back, they will replace the vp44 at that time. Which makes sense, because then they will know for sure that the vp44 is bad since they just installed the new lp. Autowest dodge has not made me a happy customer thus far, sales OR service.

 

[rweis]

I just went through this same thing. 0216 codes.



The track was (I was on vacation) dealer #1 100 miles into the trip, replace the lp and $85 for the ff (otherwise they could not verify that the ff was new) so it was on the DC database for this truck.



Drove the truck 1000 more miles.



Next dealer saw the new lp and ff so replaced the camshaft sensor. Set 0216 again, went back did some driving test with the mechanic. Then they changed the VP.



My track was lp (warrantee), ff (my $85), cam position sensor (warrantee), VP (warrantee).



Bob Weis

 

[EKoster]

hey, i figure, if they want to replace everything else under warranty before they fix the injection pump, thats fine with me. Just more down time w/ the truck.

 

[WadePatton]

That's why I laugh out loud when someone says "I don't want to void my warranty". They're going to stick you any way they can (the warranty providers) AND it will take them DAYS and DAYS to do anything.



Way back when I could have had an LP replaced under warranty--provided they could test it and order a new one and wait for it and install it--which = about 5-6 days without my truck and them poking around on it.



I said no, drove to nearest Cummins store (50 miles one way) and changed it under a shade tree. Truck down--half day.



Warranty this.

 

[JKinney]

So What am I in for. My lift pump failed two weeks ago, called where I purchased it last feb, they sent me another one under warranty. my lift pump and filter have about four hundred miles on them. I have the 216 code with flat spots I scheduled to see the dealer this wed. I can see this is going to be a :-{} To top it off this is my best lift pump ever Oo. 15 psi idle 12 with load!

 

[EKoster]

basically, the dealer told me this: He is going to replace the lift pump because it failed their "tests". I am going to put in a new fuel filter. If the dead pedal and/or 0216 code comes back, then we can KNOW that the vp44 is dying and they will proceed to replace it. Now, I know that doesn't mean squat, but that's what you might expect from your dealer. If the lp is new and functional, they can't blame it on the lp again...

 

[chadley69]

Yeah, called them back. Said the lp is going to be replaced under warranty. They could not produce the results needed to replace the vp44, so they can't change it. I asked about the fuel filter, they charge $54!!!! for the freakin filter and $60 labor to install it. GEEZUS!!!! So I told him to replace the lp, I would replace the filter and that was that. I talked to the service supervisor and told him the situation. He said that if they replace the lp and I get the 0216 code back, they will replace the vp44 at that time. Which makes sense, because then they will know for sure that the vp44 is bad since they just installed the new lp. Autowest dodge has not made me a happy customer thus far, sales OR service.

My truck too has just started the dead pedal and the 0216 code. The Autowest dealer you speak of is that the one in Roseville, CA?

Thanks

Chad

 

[EKoster]

yup, in the automall

 

[JCyrbok]

I either have a good dealer service department that I deal with or I just got lucky.



Had 4 LP failures in 36K(I replaced them myself) and VP started the dead pedal and 0216 shortly after the last failure. Took it in and by the time I got home (1/2 hour drive) had a message that the VP was failing with an internal failure and it would be replaced under warranty. 5 days later picked truck back up with no problems and new VP. No hassle about filters, tests etc. No "We couldnt get it to do it for us" problems. The way that I understood it from the service guy was that the pumps being computer controlled and electronic they hook them up to the diagnotics tools and see if it needs to be replaced. That was in response to me saying that the dead pedal was intermintant, about a couple of times a month. Makes sense? They also said that both to me and in the service paperwork that the new pumps eletronics tested normal after the install. Or maybe they were blowing smoke up my a. . ? LOL either way a good service department counts for a lot.



J-

 

[WadePatton]

I either have a good dealer service department that I deal with or I just got lucky.



... LOL either way a good service department counts for a lot.



J-

You have an exceptional service department. If _most_ of them were like that, then they _all_ wouldn't be thrown into the same category with lawyers and politicians.



Enjoy.



note: when my vp goes out (it has been over 400hp for a long time) I'll smile and chuck another one on--or convert to the p-pump.

 

[JKinney]

Im taking my truck in tuesday night to the dealer for the 216 code, Even though my fuel filter has less than 1000 miles Im thinking I will replace it tuesday prior to drop off, and telling them the filter was just installed prior to arriving, (in order to ease there troubleshooting of course) What do you all think?

 

[JCyrbok]

J Kinney,



Instead of replacing it,maybe take one along with u, so they cant pull an end around on you and say that they have to replace it and replace a brand new filter. Just a thought. Maybe they wouldnt nail you to bad if they have to just drop in your filter as opposed to charging you BIG$$$$ for a $12 filter.



Thats what I did when I took mine in. They told me not to worry about. My new filter was still in the cab and no charge for a fuel filter or change. I'm not even sure that changing the FF is part of the diagnoistics for the VP. It is for the LP, maybe they didnt worry about it on mine as the LP had been replaced a couple of weeks prior.



Hope this helps,

J-

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I just has a VP44 failure and it was replaced under warranty. The service advisor asked me for the last 3 fuel filter receipts. He told me that without these receipts most of the time the warranty claim will be declined. I presented him the reciepts, and the next day my truck was returned to me with a new pump. I read all these nightmare stories about the dealers not wanting to replace the pumps, I hope you guys can find a dealer that that will take care of you, especially when these pumps cost a small fortune.

 

[EKoster]

New info to my story: Picked up the truck thurs. night after they replaced the lp. Friday, i noticed they had not reset the codes. I replaced the fuel filter. Fri afternoon driving home, i got dead pedal again. (Seems to happen after being at freeway speeds for awhile in the heat, slow down cause of traffic and go to accelerate. ) Sat morn I took it in and had them reset the codes. Sat afternoon while driving, i got dead pedal again. Checked codes and 1693 and 0216 are back. I'm going in monday to give em hell. I'll let you all know what happens next...

 

[DKroa]

Sounds like the same trouble I had. Took my truck in and said they replaced the LP. Driving down the road home less than 5 miles from dealer I get the dead pedal. Turned around went back to dealer. Said I need to make another appointment. Gee they had my truck for 3 days to replace a LP. Said I was going to drive the truck till the IP died then they can pay my tow.



Truck is now at dealer getting a new IP. Dead at 69,810. When joined the group I put my TDR stickers on the truck, had a copy of all the codes printed and articles of the VP-44 failures and they just happened to be in my truck when I left it at the dealer to check on my dead pedal problems. Oo.

 

[DHaupert]

Dealerships

I'm the first one to start screaming when I have problems with a dealership, so now I feel it's only fair that I post on a good experience. Heading home from work last thursday I experienced the dreaded "Dead Pedal" I called Amador Motors when I got home and asked if the LP was covered under warranty, The answer was yes. Luckily I was going on vacation and didn't need my truck for a week. When I got back they had replaced the LP, VP44 and fuel filter at a total cost to me of $45. 00. Kudos to Amador Motors

 

[JKinney]

I dropped the truck off at the dealer today I had 8 episodes of flat spots no throttle response on the way to the dealer, The dealer where I bought the truck. I explained that I have flat spots, 216 code and the engine light has never come on. He told me I cant have no problems with out the engine light coming on. He asked me if it was skipping. I told him I don't know how it could since it has no spark plugs. He then said oh the injection pump.

He asked me to stay by the phone tomorrow.