Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Kind of a miss when laying into it

[Joe Mc]

With set-up in signature - I've recently (over the past few months) noticed that when I'm heavy into the go pedal and high speed (about 90-100mph) I get a "kind of an intermittent miss" almost like a stumble, but it keeps pulling? The injectors (Mach5s) have been in there for about 2 - 3 years so I'm wondering if maybe they need to be "gone over"? Oh, when this stumble/miss thing happens the gauges are reading as follows: egt 1250 - 1300, boost 40+/-, fuel 22# and the edge comp - doesn't matter what setting 1-1 or 5-5 still does it, rpm about 2600 - 2700 . . . could it be the VP defuling? Never noticed this before . . .



Thanks

 

[BrooksElder]

By chance do you have a fuel pressure gauge, if so do you know what its reading? I would disconect your edge before pulling the injectors and see it that helps.

 

[Nyoest]

Does it do it with the comp completely off?



Stick or auto? Any dtc codes?



Does the tach twitch? Is it an audible miss or do you feel it?



If an auto trans could it be trying to lock or unlock the torque convertor?



What track do you run 100 mph at?



Boss is terrible about not getting a full history from customers and sometimes really makes our job of diagnosing tough. I'll do this to him in the span of about thirty seconds and somedays he just turns and walks off. . But really they are valid questions.



First place I'd start is dtc's and fuel filter/s Cheap easy and simple.

 

[Joe Mc]

BrooksElder & Nyoest,



Thanks for reply. As mentioned this is for the truck in my signature DTT Auto trans. Yes I have full guages, EGT, Boost, Trans & Fuel. Fuel psi as mentioned in 1st post 22# always runs 22# regardless of go pedal position and circumstances. Does it with the edge at 1/1 and/or anywhere between and at 5/5. I haven't disconnected, or run w/edge off. Will try both.



It is audible and feel it too (feels like a little miss you have on a gasser when there's a bad plug wire), no codes/check eng light at all, runs fine otherwise. Runs perfect at idle and any other situation - only does it when totally into it and not till about 2700 +/- in high gear actually seems like it's defueling a bit? As far as what track . . . we have an area that is abandoned down by the old steel mill (sad=old steel mill) that has a 1/4 mile marked off and about 1/2 to slow down. Fuel filter replaced less than 1k ago - spin on Fleetguard.

 

[DavidC]

I had a slight miss on my 99, disconnected the fueling box completely and the miss was gone (back to stock, including the boost elbow). Diesel dynamics replaced box and controller and everything was fine. Check your box ground and pump tap wire first.

Dave

edit: replaced box and wiring harness

 

[SnoKing]

A fuel gauge that always reads #22. Post or pre FF? Tell us more. What are you running for a lift pump? Have you put a test gauge right on the VP44 input and compared pressures. You may have a bad gauge and a lift pump issue. SNOKING

 

[Joe Mc]

Guys, Thanks for the replies.



For about 4 or 5 years, I've been running a Glacer Diesel Products, GDP-392 pump, filter and big line system (walbro gear-rotor pump, mechanicaly regulated) located below the tank, so it's a pusher pump, big line kit all the way from the Vulcan tank draw straw to the VP inlet, all stock LP and fuel filter stuff gone, with the regulator set at 22# - it "rocks", that's why it "maintains" 22# regardless of Go pedal position and circumstances. And, the Spin on FF and psi sending unit are located on frame as well below the tank. The only thing on the fuel system that goes above the frame is the line out from the spin on filter to the VP inlet and it's about 3-4' long.



I'm aware the VPs don't like more than 22#, which is why I set it right at 22# and verified w/mechanical gauge. Oh, fuel gauge sender is pre-filter so considering a possible 0. 5 - 2# drop across the filter or not the VP is still fine.



As for the pump tap, I have a stealth cover so the tap is protected from the weather, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have come loose - I'll check it.



Dave - thanks. I'm leaning more towards the box or a connection thing now moreso than the injectors needing going over, but won't rule out the injectors yet. I'm going to disscon the edge and see what happens as soon as it stops raining - hopefully this weekend . . . I'll also clean the IAT and check the MAP plug and etc.



Thanks,



Joe Mc

 

[Joe Mc]

So yesterday I turned off the edge and went for a few runs. The first two runs w/edge off it did the miss thing, about the 3rd run as it was doing its miss thing it just cleared up and ran strong. So I put the edge on 1/1 and tried it again, ran fine, 5/5 ran fine Oo.



Any ideas? I didn't clean the IAT or anything? I'm thinking a piece of carbon got hung up on an injector and after a few good runs it worked its way out?



Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[DavidC]

Think I would check/clean all edge connections. You just did a lot of vibrating with those runs and cleaning/checking connections are free except your time.

When mine was acting up I was informed that turning the box off does not help as it is still in the circuit and the only way to eliminate it is to disconnect it and the harness. Basically return to stock.

Good luck



Dave

 

[Joe Mc]

Dave,



Thanks for reply. Yes aware that disconnecting edge is the way to go, figured I'd try just turning it off though as I think when you unplug it and run it'll set codes. Anyway, I'll check all the connections and di-electric grease them while I'm at it.



Thanks

 

[pfmoale]

Jerking/Missing condition on an 01, 24 valve

I recently replaced my injection pump and lift pump, a DDRP FASS unit at 65,000 miles. Year: 2001, Auto Trans, 4X4.
After installation, everything seemed to be going well, plenty of power, fuel pressure steady at about 13. 5 to 14 PSI. Was having concerns with fuel flow. My test showed I am getting 2 liters in a 25 second "Tick of the key".

Just the other day, when powering up a slight grade, the engine started to miss, and jerk, sort of like what a gasoline engine would do when it isn't getting a good spark, or the distributor cap is bad. Seems it's an intermittent problem, and only does it when powering on the throttle. Not to noticeable when cruising on the flat, and not at all when idle in the drive way.

I have a Banks Power Pack kit on the truck, that has given me absolutely NO problems.

Installed a new OEM fuel filter (at the engine), recently, at time of I. P. and L. P. change outs. Only several hundred miles on them. Removed the small mesh screen that came with the DDRP FASS lift pump, and replaced with a Napa brand #3003, 3/8" inline, before the lift pump, as recommended by FASS.

So far I do NOT have any DTC's or "Check engine" lights coming on.

Any ideas on what this is, or whats going on, and most importantly how to fix it ?

Thanks for reading this, any comments would be very helpful.


Regards,
Peter

 

[Joe Mc]

Pete,



As mentioned above by the guys that replied to my initial post: try "unplugging" the Banks Power Pack and see if it still does it. You may, or may not set codes running without the Banks connected, but that won't hurt anything and if codes are set you should most likely have them cleared = not sure if they go away on their own - I have a code reader and always erase afterwards "if" I set codes. If you don't have an OBDII code reader you may as well start shopping for one, they go on sale frequently and they're very handy to have and almost a necessity these days. However, if you don't wish to purchase one now most of the AutoZone/PepBoys etc will read and clear codes for free.



Another suggestion that was made above is to check all the connections for the Banks, VP and ECM for corrosion and clean them. You can use a tooth brush and either electrical contact cleaner or carb cleaner to clean the contact points on both the plug and socket connections. Also, check the connections at the Intake Air Temp (IAT), Crank and Cam sensors. If you have a big enough deep socket remove the IAT and clean it w/spray cleaner - the tip is probably black from soot. One of the things I do when checking connections is after cleaning them place some Di-Electric grease on them to help prevent moisture and future corrosion.



Here's a thought . . . does the truck do this when the OD button is pushed in = "OD off" light comes on the dash? I haven't tried that yet . . . one of the responders to my post mentioned maybe the torque converter is "hunting" or slipping in and out of lock-up.



Hope this helps some how - Joe Mc

 

[pfmoale]

Process of elimination

Joe,

Thanks for all the good advise. There are quite a few things to check.

I'll have to keep tabs on what I do, so as to come up with the root cause of the "Why" question.



I love the truck (& engine), I hate all the electronics !!!

Will those Dodge engineers ever have a KISS outlook ?



Regards,



Peter

 

[Joe Mc]

Joe,

Thanks for all the good advise. There are quite a few things to check.

I'll have to keep tabs on what I do, so as to come up with the root cause of the "Why" question.



I love the truck (& engine), I hate all the electronics !!!

Will those Dodge engineers ever have a KISS outlook ?



Regards,



Peter

No problem Peter let us know what works. And as far as the Dodge guys going with a KISS method = never happen they prefer Rub Goldberg methodology.

 

[Joe Mc]

Been real busy with "OPCs" = other peoples cars and it's too friggin cold to do anything after 5. However, reading in the recent TDR magazine I've seen a few mentions of the cam sensor and a good deal of "cleaning connection plugs" mentioned as well. I've replaced the crank sensor (went south some time back?) I've never had to replace the cam sensor yet.



I'm going for connections, grounds and so forth this weekend, as long as the rain holds out and at this point it seems like OPCs are all working fine so I may actually be able to get to my truck. More to come . . .

 

[JMetzger]

I believe some time back people with fueling box's & cold weather were having a miss problem & it was the IAT I believe. Something about the cold weather The fueling box & the IAT. Mine will miss when the weather is cold but when weather warms up it goes away.

 

[Joe Mc]

Have had Edge Comp for almost 8 years now never had this happen in any weather. Doesn't mean the contacts aren't corroded though . . . it has been almost 8 years since they were initially plugged in. Hope the weather permits tinkering this weekend . . .

 

[DavidC]

Some where in the 99 service manual it states "The cam sensor is only used for diagnostics and does not affect engine operation".



Dave

 

[Joe Mc]

Some where in the 99 service manual it states "The cam sensor is only used for diagnostics and does not affect engine operation".



Dave

"Really?" I didn't know that I'll have to check my 99 Dodge Ram Truck Service Manual for that one. Do you recall what section the notation you meniton was in? Pretty interesting, thanks.