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Just got my 2nd gen. First time diesel owner!

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First year DEF was added to the trucks

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New here and considering a diesel

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StoopKid

StoopKid

2000 Dodge Ram 2500 24v turbo diesel quad cab with automatic transmission and long bed.

Truck has 235k miles. Bought it about a month ago and loving it so far (even if it is a little rough around the edges). Interior is in pretty good condition, exterior has little to no rust, some surface rust on the underbody. There’s a plastic liner in the bed which I hate and want to replace eventually with a spray in.

I recently got some rewiring done bc previous owner installed an aftermarket sound system and killed the power windows, power locks, power mirrors, AC system and even the speakers. The mechanic I brought it to said the truck was in great shape for its mileage, even asked if I’d consider selling it! Lol.

Now with that out of the way, I was looking to do my first service (oil, fuel filter change) tomorrow but wondering if anyone has any tips about what else to tackle soon or what I might want to invest in checking out (I traded in my other truck for this so I have a good amount of money to invest in bringing the 2nd gen up to speed). I want to get a new lift pump because it currently has a stock one. A Diesel mechanic near me said to install a fuel pressure sensor light or gauge before worrying about buying a FASS or something. Steering is a little loose, and the transmission is a bit shuddery around 40-45mph.

The underbody has some surface rust, anyone have any good tips for cleaning the underside? And the engine bay while I’m at it.

This is my first diesel truck so I’m a bit overwhelmed with everything, but excited to learn and really make this truck my own. I love this truck so far and I want to take care of it well and have it for a long time.

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Welcome to the forum. Great truck.

For the rust, you can do some rough scrape off the big stuff and try a rust converter like Ospho it's available at local Ace Hardware places, just be careful and follow the directions.

Fluid Film, Wool Wax or equivalent annual application works well in some areas.

Something we all battle.

Good luck with the truck.
 
@StoopKid, Welcome aboard! Very nice truck you've found there! Another option for rust is Black Star ( www.mrochem.com ). Not sure that a FASS pump would be a good upgrade as the stock units do just fine. The recommendation of pressure gauge is worth while upgrade to monitor current pump. When doing the wiring repairs, make a notebook for what and where you fix for any future issues that crop up. Ask questions as needed and you should get an answer about a fix. Great find!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
When I had my 2002 2500 I loved it, except for the 2wd. Got it up to 190k miles, but it needed a bunch of work (new turbo, suspension all the way around, transmission was starting to act flaky, etc). Traded it in 2007 for a Jeep Compass, and regretted it. Although I did manage to get 312k on that Compass with a bunch of blood, sweat, and tears.

Never again will I own a unibody vehicle or car/small SUV nor gasoline or electric. Never again.

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Hey all just had an issue today. Was driving around on the highway around 50mph, all of a sudden lost the ability to accelerate. Pressed gas pedal, nothing, no warning lights coming on but gauges all dropped to zero. Luckily I was able to pull over safely to the shoulder. I turned off the truck and could not restart it. Every time i went to restart (even after letting it sit in on for around 30 sec or so) it would crank but not turn over. I sat on the shoulder for a while trying to clean the grounds and tried cranking it a couple times but no luck. Finally got it towed to my house. Any ideas or anyone with similar issues?
 
If all gauges dropped to zero points to an electrical problem.

Are you sure they all dropped to zero? What about the coolant temp for instance? Did that drop to zero too?
 
Diesel85 said:
If all gauges dropped to zero points to an electrical problem.

Are you sure they all dropped to zero? What about the coolant temp for instance? Did that drop to zero too?
Click to expand...
While i was pulled over when I switched the key to the on position the gauges moved. Battery went up, coolant temp went up(when the engine was still hot after I pulled over) oil pressure goes up, fuel level goes up (engine was at about 1/2 tank when it stalled out). When I crank the tachometer moves. The gauges all just dropped down when the truck initially petered out but seem to be working now.
 
Turn your key to on/off, on/off then on and read the codes on your odometer. Do not hit start. Get some paper and a pen and be ready to copy codes if there are some.
 
IIRC when my 2002 HPFP went out, I got no codes. You'd sit there and crank and crank, no start.

Doesn't mean that is your exact problem, but it adds to your list of troubleshooting items.

I'd also look around to see if it's not an electrical issue such as the ignition switch or some other loose connector.
 
I would start with pulling your fuel filter. Open the drain, then crack the top lid some and it will drain. Pull the top off with the filter, it will be attached. Inspect the canister and then hit your ignition switch to start, for just a second, that will start the lift pump and run about 20-30 seconds. Make sure it is pumping fuel. Leave the drain open so you don't overflow the canister.

When you install the new filter, be careful to not cross thread the plastic top/cover. I assume your lift pump is on the block and not your tank. You will hear it if it is working/running and hopefully it will pump fuel.
 
NIsaacs said:
I would start with pulling your fuel filter. Open the drain, then crack the top lid some and it will drain. Pull the top off with the filter, it will be attached. Inspect the canister and then hit your ignition switch to start, for just a second, that will start the lift pump and run about 20-30 seconds. Make sure it is pumping fuel. Leave the drain open so you don't overflow the canister.

When you install the new filter, be careful to not cross thread the plastic top/cover. I assume your lift pump is on the block and not your tank. You will hear it if it is working/running and hopefully it will pump fuel.
Click to expand...

Tried this today. The lift pump was sending fuel to the filter. Put in a new Napa Gold 3585xe (that’s what was already in the canister from the previous owner coincidentally). I bumped the key again a couple of times to try to prime the fuel system, and to make sure there weren’t any leaks after I put in the new filter. Still no luck starting it after cranking for a while again. I tried bumping it a couple of times and while I could hear the lift pump running (and now I know it’s pumping fuel at least) still no luck starting the engine, even after long cranks.

I was thinking of hooking up a pressure gauge tomorrow to check pressure at the fuel filter and the injection pump.
 
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Turbo Diesel Register
Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
TDR Test Drive - Digital Edition
Renew
Subscribe
Gift Subscriptions
Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
TSB Updates
Dodge/Cummins Historical Overview
Cameron Collection
What Makes Us Tick?
Product Showcase
Advertising



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