Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) I got a problem

[krtcummins]

I'm stationed in S. Korea in the military. The truck was running when shut off. Five minutes later it started, made about 1000 revolutions, backfired through the turbo and then quit running. It is a 2001 2500 47RE with a Quadzilla Adrenaline box. My father is trying to get it running before I return on leave. So far this is what he has figured out. Fuel pressure from the tank is ten pounds at the fuel filter. He cracked an injector line at the cylinder head and cranked the engine. No fuel is spraying out of the injectors.



Does anyone have any ideas as to what could be the problem or has anyone had any similar problems? Any help would be appreciated and I thank everyone in advance.



Brian

 

[firefighter_2000]

Codes...

Have him check the truck for codes to start with. Cycle the key to the RUN position 3 times, and on the third time leave it in the RUN position. Codes should come up in the odometer. Get back with us and let us know what the codes are. Have him crack the line going into the injection pump or away from the fuel filter housing. Could possibly be a plugged filter. Sounds much like an innoperative injection pump. Just have to find out if its shot or what. Get that info & get back with us asap.

Craig

 

[cerberusiam]

Unhook the Quad and try again. ALWAYS remove electronics from the equation or you can chase ghosts for days.

 

[firefighter_2000]

Wow.

Wow... I completly missed that part about the quad. Do what he said first... .

Craig

 

[krtcummins]

Okay it's Dad here. I unplugged the after market ECU box (Quadzilla I believe) my son installed from it's wire loom when I first started diagnosing the truck. The fuel line coming from the in-tank Chrysler retro-fit pump shows ten pounds head pressure at the inlet side of the fuel filter. I don't have a connection adapter to check the fuel pressure at the inlet line on the injector pump, but when I crack it loose fuel comes out. I'm guessing a plugged fuel filter is not the problem. The truck was running fine when I shut it off. No engine warning lights on or anything. When I went to restart it a few minutes later it started right up, but immediately popped through the turbo inlet and shut off. The amber "Check engine" light is now on.



I checked all the fuses in the engine compartment and inside of the cab. All are good. I have no way to check the relays. My take on it after being a tune up and electrical Tech at Ford dealerships for many, many years, is the injection pump took a dump. I checked for codes and only got the generic "P1693" code. I don't have a way to download codes from the ECU to look further.

 

[krtcummins]

Using this link, Blue Chip Diesel Performance Specialists from the Blue Chip site, I found a complete set of instructions written by the owner on how to diagnose a VP44 pump problem. Everyone with a 2nd Gen truck should read this info for their own information at the very least.



After reading the info, I'm betting on an injection pump.

 

[Mishkaya]

Could well be the injection pump, but the popping issue makes me wonder. You don't really need to "check" the relays, but I would recommend swapping the horn relay with the fuel relay (they are the same) to make sure that's not your issue. Also there is a way to energize the VP44 independently from the ECM. I will dig up instructions and post back. Swapping the VP44 should be a last resort IMO.

 

[Mishkaya]

OK here's a link for the VP44, you need to energize pin 7 and ground pin 6:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...nsmission-1998-5-2002/74018-testing-vp44.html

Good luck!

 

[krtcummins]

Thanks! I will be back at it in the morning. Take a look at Blue Chip Diesels' web page that I posted the link for. Way cool diagnostic information regarding the VP44 pump. Worth saving or printing out the info.

 

[krtcummins]

Using the Blue Chip VP44 diagnostic info, it appears to be the pump. I will go with a Blue Chip pump, but which one? The standard or the "X" version? Anyone used both?

 

[Mishkaya]

Using the Blue Chip VP44 diagnostic info, it appears to be the pump. I will go with a Blue Chip pump, but which one? The standard or the "X" version? Anyone used both?

Go with the standard version. You don't want extra timing on the VP44 as you already have a fueling box that does timing. It's not worth the extra cost. Would only be worth it if the truck was otherwise stock and you intended to keep it that way. I have the "standard" blue chip VP44 in my '02 and have been very happy with it.

 

[krtcummins]

Go with the standard version. You don't want extra timing on the VP44 as you already have a fueling box that does timing. It's not worth the extra cost. Would only be worth it if the truck was otherwise stock and you intended to keep it that way. I have the "standard" blue chip VP44 in my '02 and have been very happy with it.

Makes sense. I'm still waiting for a call back from Chip, or anyone, at Blue Chip. I left a phone message as requested yesterday and have heard nothing back from them. Hopefully this is a fluke, as I won't buy product from a company that does not call you back.



My dealer quoted me $1800. 00 for a rebuilt Dodge pump. Plus $600. 00 core charge. Dodge does not supply new pumps anymore. All are rebuilt. By whom I don't know

 

[firefighter_2000]

Blue chip

Blue chip has probably one of THE best reputations of VP44 rebuilders out there. If they haven't called you back, Im sure its a fluke. Time & time again people ask on here who's the best when it comes to the VP44 and time & time again Blue Chip Diesel comes up. IF by some chance you decided to stay local, or even have one shipped there are several Bosch Dealers that will beat your local Dodge Stealership by several hundred dollars. Give Blue Chip another try and if all else fails, find an authorized bosch dealer for your pump needs.

Craig

 

[krtcummins]

I've heard nothing but good things about BC. I will call them back Monday morning. They have a nice web site with lot's of info. From all I read and all I hear, BC is the "Go to" place for VP44 pumps.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

Brian,
965. 00 at Cummins dealer here in Daytona Beach,Fl. I have been dealing with them since 1998. I hooked up a TDR member in N. C. with them a couple of mos. ago. You should check your local Cummins dealers. If you don`t have any luck. Let me know and I will give a phone no. and contact name. I just like the word Cummins on my warranty.
Good Luck Capt Phil

 

[JMetzger]

I don't understand Chip Fisher not calling you back. He is a real down to earth guy. While visiting my son in South Windsor, CT we took a trip to his shop in East Derry, NH, It was only about a two hour drive. His shop was great, he doesn't fool around. If a part even looks bad it is gone & in with a new one. I see why he doesn't have hardly any come backs. Great place.

 

[krtcummins]

What did his shop look like? Was it clean, dirty, organized, unorganized, Etc? Is he a one man operation or a big shop?

 

[J.McKenzie]

when my VP 44 went out (2 + years ago) Cummins dealer replaced it with a rebuilt for 1/2 the price of the Dodge dealer Plus Cummins had it in stock ,Dodge would have to order there rebuilt.

100000. + miles on it and its still purring.

 

[JMetzger]

krtcummins, While we were there there was 1 other guy + Chip. Shop was clean & tidy. They really act like they know what they are doing. They don't stand around like what do we do next, very organized.

 

[Harlacher]

With the info that is on this site you can easily change the pump yourself and save yourself a couple of hundred bucks. I did mine a few years back, i used the shop manual and the tricks that they tell you about on this site. Was a challenge but well worth it. I knew it was done right and I like that feeling of knowing I did it myself. BD is another good source for injection pumps, they have a nice hot rod pump that lasted me six years.