Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Intermintant dead pedal..(Kinda long)

[JCyrbok]

Had a dead pedal episode today. Lasted aprox 10seconds at about 20MPH after pulled out of my subdivision. Floored the pedal and it kicked back in. No problems the rest of the day. Last time it happened was about 3 months ago but was at highway speed, took my EZ off and actually got a free new one ( not on yet) and the problem went away, along with surging that I was having.



No surging now, but the dead pedal worries me as it is probably the VP heading south.



I have had 2 lift pumps die in the past 5 months, both while driving.



1st one was about 2 miles from home and I was able to keep 5psi at about 20MPH and got home.



2nd one was last week and was just after pulling out of my drive, so I drove around the block and back into garage. Again was able to keep about 7psi at idle.



Everyone knows that symptoms do not occur when at the dealer, LOL. Plus with about 2-3 months between the last time it occur and now I'm not postive that it will do it again for some time.



I have no other VP symptoms like hard starting while cold or hot, no weird sounds or surging, no odd smoke, usually have instant throttle response.



EZ is not hooked up currently and has not since last dead pedal incident, new fuel filter and LP last week, stock air filter presently with no need to replace.



I have had no problems in first 40k but last 10k has been nothing but! A chevy gasser is starting to look pretty good!!!!!even though I love my truck like I love my wife!



What should I tell the dealer to point them in the right direction. Does the VP have to be completely dead for DC to replace. I have the pump timing code (0216 i think) and one of the generic codes (0500 I think) since my LP went out in Oct/04 That was accompanied by check engine light. No codes or lights this time.



ANy help would be appreciated.



Thanks

J-

 

[DISPATCH]

it could be a tps gone bad or the vp 44. mine did the same thing and it was the vp44. it did it more often when the engine was cold. the tps can be checked with a scanner and some one can pipe in here that knows a little more but the voltage, i think, should not flucuate more than . 05 volts at idle. it should be at . 5 volts at idle and i think 3. 5 wot. hope this helps. and good luck

 

[JCyrbok]

Thanks BB.



That was my other thought, I'll check it out.



J-

 

[Jetpilot]

Check the APPS.

 

[jtisdale]

Will a bad APPS cause a 216 code?

 

[fox]

In january mine had fits for two days out on the interstate and had the codes too. We made it home, ran a lot of fuel lube thru it. ( Lucas ). It now has no codes and runs as good as ever. The bat. grounds were really coroded.

It will be interesting to watch what your does in time.

I thing there are big noise issues with these trucks.

Cell phone charger really messes the radio, blinkers can be heard in the radio. This noise needs to be filtered out.

 

[jtisdale]

In january mine had fits for two days out on the interstate and had the codes too. We made it home, ran a lot of fuel lube thru it. ( Lucas ). It now has no codes and runs as good as ever. The bat. grounds were really coroded.

It will be interesting to watch what your does in time.

I thing there are big noise issues with these trucks.

Cell phone charger really messes the radio, blinkers can be heard in the radio. This noise needs to be filtered out.

You think injection pumps are being replaced unnecessarily, and maybe its more of a grounding issue that could (possibly) be prevented?

 

[fox]

I am not sure how many pumps have been changed that were still running.

I know there are electrical issues with these trucks with noise, the electrical kind.

I know this noise does crazy things to electronics--especially computers!!!

It would be best to find/locate all inputs to the computer and try putting capacitors on each. Too big and it will slow responses,too small they won't filter.

This will have to be a spring project for me.

In the mean time the pump still runs great, go figure.

 

[Jetpilot]

A 216 code is "Fuel injection pump timing failure" which my manual describes as "High fuel supply restriction, low fuel pressure or possible wrong or incorrectly installed keyway". Normally we think of the 216 code as one can kiss their VP goodbye.....



I do know that a corroded or loose APPS connection will cause all kinds of throttle problems hence the idea above.



Doug

 

[Luciano]

Map Sensor maybe?

I had a similar problem some time ago, and it turns out my map sensor needed to be replaced. It was unplugged, and plugged back in (reset), and my truck ran perfectly. Just the day before yesterday, I experienced the wierd pedal/throttle response again. I think it's really time to actually replace the map sensor. Anyone have an idea on how much I should be paying for it? Any recommendations on best code reader/bang for the buck. I need to invest in one, so that I can start reading my own codes. Good luck.

 

[JCyrbok]

The 0216 code was set when my LP failed (which fits the low FP or fuel retriction), I just havent gotten around to having it cleared. It may not be there any more, I havent checked in a couple of months.



I think it may be time to actually go to the dealer to have them try to run the problem down. Luckly the dealer I use has a fairly compitent diesel tech so I'm not as terrified going there, but we'll see.



Thanks

J-