Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Lift pump answers from DC

[Diesel Gunner]

Just sent mine out. If enough of us squeak, maybe that we will get some grease. At least that is what I have been told.



And, thanks to you, Brian, for starting the squeaky wheel rollin'.

 

[jcbrown]

Sent to Customer Service...

Dodge/CUMMINS Turbo Diesel Lift Pump Realiability...



Post Office Box 227

Orange Springs, Florida 32182-0227

June 16, 2003



Daimler-Chrysler

Customer Assistance-United States

Attention: Robert Clark

Reference: 11355707

Post Office Box 21-8004

Auburn Hills, Michigan 48321-8004



Dear Mr. Clark,



By now you should have received several e-mail's from member's of the Turbo Diesel Registry <https://www.turbodieselregistry.com> regarding this issue.



I am adding my reply and indicating that my lift pump was replaced under warranty.



I am requesting to be added to this reference on future correspondance if this issue is addressed further.



Sincerely,



James C. Brown



P. S. Fuel pumps make better "Pushers" than they make "Pullers. "

 

[JCyrbok]

My e-mail

Well I tried to cut and copy what I sent to DC but I am not very computer sauve',so I'll give the readers digest version.



I basically layed out why I spent an extra $4000 on the Cummins as an opion, that being reliability and logevity. I went into how I have only 26K(with a failing lift pump) and plan on getting 500K miles.



I then went into How Carter has a spec of no more that three feet from the fuel source for these pumps but that my truck it is more like 8 feet. I then asked them if I installed a part out of spec, whether Mopar or not, if I would be covered under warranty for the failure of that part or others related? I told them that I assumed that I would NOT be covered.



I then went into the lack of knowledge that the "5 star dealers" have about the problem, citing my problems with 4 dealers and not a one of them knowing what the fuel pressure should be or much related to the LP problems.



I closed by challenging them to build the better mouse trap and right the wrongs of the DC engineering crew and fix the LP problems or to use the TDR to disseminate info on the correct fix.



I then let them know that the ENTIRE membership of the TDR is concerned with this problem and that we are waiting for a Non-computer generated reply.



Thats pretty much the jist of it. I will let you know what I get back, as I'm sure everyone else will do too. I referenced the #11355707 in my e-mail. My ref # was 11361116. Maybe if they start getting a bunch of ref #'s too it may open their eyes.



I also congratulated them on "almost" building the perfect truck but that the $150 LP that takes 1/2 hour to install was holding them back.



J-

 

[PRout]

Count me in. . Will be sending a letter.

 

[Edward]

Post Office Box 227

Orange Springs, Florida 32182-0227

June 16, 2003



Daimler-Chrysler

Customer Assistance-United States

Attention: Robert Clark

Reference: 11355707

Post Office Box 21-8004

Auburn Hills, Michigan 48321-8004



Dear Mr. Clark,



I would like Daimler-Chrysler to get serious about resolving the lift pump failure issue. I think Daimler-Chrysler should take the lead in this developing a solution to this inherent problem because the final product has your Dodge brand name on it. I know there are multiple companies involved in this issue and I think the solution lies in the engineering departments of all these companies. With the three companies involved in this issue Dodge, Cummins and Federal Mogul (Carter) it seems that the issue of premature lift pump failure should be easily resolved. All three companies should dedicate some engineering staff to work as one team to resolve this issue. Each of the three companies mentioned have excellent engineering departments that should be able to work together to find a reliable solution to the problem.

Many Dodge diesel owners are developing and testing other lift pump systems in an effort to solve this inherent flaw in the Dodge diesel fuel supply system. This bothers me quite a bit because when a customer spends over 30 thousand dollars for a truck they shouldn't have to fix a darn thing in any system. I think it would be an embarrassment to each of the companies involved if a group of Dodge truck owners had to engineer and develop a reliable solution to this problem on their own.



A copy of this letter will be sent to Cummins and Federal Mogul also. I hope to hear from all three companies soon regarding a solution to the problem.



Edward



It,s going out in the mail tomorrow

 

[JBlock]

Consumer Protection Issue

It just a thought, on two alternative to push on DC



These guys get action where you be as hot rodder get ignored



I am no Ralph Nater Fan, but perhaps an issue such as lift pump failure can be approach from the stand point of creating an unsafe condition, particular if a person were to kill the engine and then be unable to resart it.







There are several people offering complet wiring kits for relocations of the existing pump for under $100, it seem that if this could be a emission relate issue (fuel supply system) DC would have no choice but to recall the truck and correct the difienceny in the design.

 

[Trexroat]

email to DC

Brian,

I sent one!

 

[DBeatty]

Lift pump and TPS/APPS

New to TDR which has been a valuable source in the last two weeks. I submitted an email to dodge regarding the LP and the TPS problem. I am on my second LP and my third TPS, which was going bad or so I thought, until I found out from TDR, that it can be cleaned and recalibrated. Excellent source of information. Better than going to the dealer to replace $300-$500 parts. This organization is fantastic! I can't say enough good things about it.

 

[ROCK KRIES]

I like DCs reply,we have no information. I bought my truck in March of 2000 and I believe just prior there was a re-call for lift pumps.



Rock

 

[Sregorb]

That's ten by my count for positively contacting DC. 10 out of 16,000? Surely there's more.....







Brian

 

[jcbrown]

E-Mail Reply...

Re: DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance



For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the

following information:



REFERENCE NUMBER: 11355707

Reply Link

 

[Ncostello]

I sent one. It read:



Dear Mr. Schrempp:



I know how to fix the lift pump problem on Dodge Diesel pickups. Please call me at your earliest convenience to schedule a job interview. Thank you.



Neil



Just kidding... actually I just cut and pasted the post to help out. I'm not sure they would want to hear what I actually want to say. This being after I already spent another $500 bucks on my own solution which I hope works.

 

[Pit Bull]

Brain, here is what I got back along with what I sent. From reading their response DC does not care and does not have a clue, their response does not even answer what I sent them. My only hope is that a bad lift pump will take out my VP44 while I am still under the 5 year 100K mile warranty so DC can pay out the butt for their poor engineering and lack of concern. My engine will remain stock and I will check my FP every 5K miles to know when they need to replace the lift pump under warranty. The only way to effect DC is by the problem costing them $$$. I will stop my RANT now



Dear Dennis:



Thanks for your email about the lift pump in your 2002 Ram 2500 Cummins

Turbo Diesel.



I reviewed with our Technical Department and they advised of a Technical

Service Bulletin (TSB) that addresses fuel pump diagnosis. It is TSB

14-002-03. According the our Technical Department, there have been no

significant modifications or re designs of the pump.



Thanks again.







NOTE: Please do not use the 'Reply' function of your email system. If

you have a need to respond to this message, please visit us at our reply

form (link provided below). Our system is NOT able to accept any emails

at this address.



For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the

following information:

REFERENCE NUMBER: 11360675

REPLY LINK:



Sincerely,



Paul Oster

Senior Staff Representative

DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center





Original Message Follows:

------------------------

Form Selected:

--------------

Category: US Customer Service

Brief Description:

------------------

Lift pump failures on 24 valve CTD 2nd generation trucks

Comments:

---------

Ref. # 11355707 This question concerns my vehicle and several thousand

others that belong to members of the Turbo diesel Registry. The reason

I'm

writing is in hopes that we can get an issue addressed, and corrected

once

and for all. There has been a repeated trend over several years now

concerning the lift pump (Fuel transfer pump) utilized in the 2500/3500

Cummins Diesel application. I am a member of the failed lift pump club

and

have experenced this lift pump failure on my 2000 3500 Dodge CTD. I how

own a 2002 3500 CTD and would like to know that this design problem has

been corrected. I am finding that several members of the Turbo diesel

registry are paying out of their own pocket to research fixes that they

hope to share with others to extend the life of the stock equipment, or

when necessary replace the equipment with a proven aftermarket setup

that

will be more reliable. I personally "will not" and feel I should not

have

to modify anything to make it work correctly and not fail. The only

reason

members of the TDR have gone to this length is, from our perspective,

the

lift pump failure rate is extremely high. When you figure in that the

demographic you seek for this particular product line is going to be the

hard-working, reliability-is-key, person that will lose time and money

when

a vehicle is out of operation I would hope that any concern brought up

by

multiple parties would be followed up on immediately. Any information

you

can provide on the issue, it's addressing or troubleshooting work in

progress, or any released data concerning this will be greatly

appreciated.

Rest assured it will be disseminated upon receipt to the members of the

TDR

via website (fastest means available) Thank you for your help in

answering

this frequent topic of discussion!

Sincerely,

 

[Pit Bull]

Brian since they played stupid on my first email I followed up with the following questions. Let wee if they answer these.



Ref. number 11360675. How many failed fuel transfer pumps have been replaced under warranty on 1998. 5 - 2002 24 valve Cummins turbo diesels? How many VP44's have been replaced under warranty on 24 valve Cummins Turbo diesels? How many 24 valve Cummins Turbo diesel dodge trucks were producedfrom 1998. 5 - 2002? If the lift pump is not a problem area for the 24 valve CTD then why does it require STAR involement to replace?

 

[jjohn]

Here is mine re: Ref Number 11360675

Dear Dodge Customer Service.

I was disappointed to read to response to Brian. I personally have talked to several people who had premature lift pump failures in my somewhat small circles of co-workers and local TDR members. I don't believe there is no knowledge base of this issue at Dodge. I was so concerned I added a fuel pressure gauge to monitor mine. My 2002 with 33,000 miles has lost 2 psi in the last 10,000 miles. Still in specification for now but worthy of concern from myself…. and I would hope from Dodge Customer Service also.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Give the TDR a simple search queery of "Lift Pump" and you will recieve Displaying Topics 1 to 25 of 4390



Do the same with "Bad AND Lift AND Pump" And you will will recieve Displaying Topics 1 to 25 of 998



Do the same for "Failed AND lift AND Pump" and you will recieve Displaying Topics 1 to 25 of 220



I dind it a interesting trend but just the fact that the words lift pump have generated over 4,000 threads in itself is amazing.

I hope you do get some answers. If D/C wanted to build the ultimate truck to set the market on end they have the most valuable resource right here with one of the worlds largest test bed for what works!

 

[dgvg81]

Lift pump letter

Add another letter sent to Mr. Clark. I sure hope that this does us some good. Come on everyone, lets flood Chrysler with letters and emails.



Thanks to all that have written and are going to write!



Duane

 

[RThompson]

Sent mine in!



REFERENCE NUMBER: 11360675

Slowly withdraw your head from the sand and take a look at what we are saying about lift pumps. To many recorded failures amongst TDR members for it not to be a problem!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Pit Bull



Thanks for your email about the lift pump in your 2002 Ram 2500 Cummins

Turbo Diesel.



I reviewed with our Technical Department and they advised of a Technical

Service Bulletin (TSB) that addresses fuel pump diagnosis. It is TSB

14-002-03. According the our Technical Department, there have been no

significant modifications or re designs of the pump.



Thanks again.

They don't read what we send them. My email stated I had a 3500 not a 2500 and it has been discussed on the TDR how the lift pump has been upgraded at least 8 times which they state has not been done/ or they consider the upgrades not to be significant, which makes me nuts since it needs to be. These guys are morons.

 

[Sticks]

Just sent mine. A combination of everyone elses, plus a little.



EDIT - I included everyone else's Reference Number. Here is mine REFERENCE NUMBER: 11364894