Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Looks the Dodge is staying with me...

[Milo Pig]

Truck has been back to the dealer at least 5 times since the first VP44 has failed. Truck is still weak, boost is LAAAAZY and misfiring at idle as and the same codes keep popping up (1693 and 1689). Yet the dealer seems to find nothing wrong. When I got it back I was looking into to trading it in where I work (GM dealership). I was looking into a reg cab with a 5. 3L Chevy. My so called "buddies" in sales will only off 15k for my dodge when NADA is near 20k!!! To keep my payments the same I would have to put 5k down! So my normal self raised all kinds of holy hell on the offer on the Dodge which by the way is a CLEAN truck in near perfect condition. So I made some enemies in the front bull pin. Basically I said that I will make sure none of my family or friends will buy a vehicle here or have a vehicle worked on here. Man I was mad!



So I am keeping the 02 Dodge , I really love the truck but not the problems. So now I have taken this problem into my own hands. I have a VP44 and a FASS on the way. Plus I have some legal aid toward the Dodge dealer for not taking action on this concern that is if the new injection pump fixes the problem and I know it will. I will have the FASS today and the VP44 Wed. of next week. So I will update.



I thought I might vent a little and start some conversation.



Thanks,

Sean

 

[OL RATLR]

Good Luck! Looks like Dodge would have told you what codes they pulled

up with their scanner and least that might have given you a place to start.

 

[Milo Pig]

I have been diagnosing the truck since this problem started. I have Mac scan tool to pull codes and aid in diagnosing. Yet when I tell the Dodge dealer what codes are being thrown they do nothing about it.



Thanks,

Sean

 

[Joe Mc]

Milo - Not sure where you are but, Where I live there are at least 5 Dodge dealers within 10 miles. Can you try another Dodge dealer or maybe Cummins? Good to hear you are keeping the Cummins with the Dodge wraping.

 

[Milo Pig]

Thanks Joe, But I am limited to the dealerships around hear. I am in Gatesville TX. There is one hear in town and the truck went there 3 times before I got fed up and it went to the one in Waco twice which is the next closest one (40 miles). The next closest one would be Temple which is 40+ miles and one in Killeen which is 50+ miles.



So the truck is apart as I type. Going to go ahead and do want I want to it. Mach 1. 6's was thinking about the 4's but I dont plan on a turbo upgrade. HRVP44 and a FASS are being installed as well by me.



Sean

 

[cyborg]

Keep the faith.

My truck has been in the shop for two weeks now (black ice) first rental was a Ford 4x4 pick up. As soon as I got home I told enterprise to come get it. They replaced it with a new Chev Silverado 4x4. JUNK!! I tried to be open minded, but this thing is krapp. gutless, steers like a 50 Buick. Trans is a slush box. The only redeeming value this heep has is 1: the A/C does not come on with the defroster and 2: the arm rest has that dish, bowl thing going.

 

[Joe Mc]

Mach 1. 6's was thinking about the 4's but I dont plan on a turbo upgrade. HRVP44 and a FASS are being installed as well by me.



Sean

Milo - If I could do injectors again I'd go w/the 4s and keep my eye closely on the egt gage . . . until I could afford to go w/the bigger turbo. It's addictive - really - Once you get started it's hard to say enough is enough. I "thought" I would be satisfied and didn't "plan" to upgrade my turbo either To go from around 185 rwh (stock) to about 360 rwh (+/-) with the edge comp & 1. 6s is fun - enough fun to make you want more. :-laf



MHO - go big and have a light foot until you can go up turbo size. Have fun . . . :-laf

 

[EDankievitch]

Hey Iam not alone! I had the same trouble you are having with your 02. I had an 02 my trouble started with an oil leak the truck was perfect before the dealer "fixed it" then it was doing what your truck is doing. I went through three months with no luck I tried to go to different dealers but was told "You did not buy it here, We will not service it!" D. c. sucks. I also tried to trade it in on a ford only to have it die on them, they offered $8000 I owed $20000! The dealer that screwed it up " Thomas Dodge in Port Jefferson N. Y. " finally bought it back and I picked up a 05 but I'm out a lot of money. I'm still fighting with D. C. about all of the deductables and loan paytments I made on a truck their represantive screwed up. Wish me luck. Now on your truck check the following, The boost pressure sensor, the operation of the waist gate, the cam position sensor and last but the most important the key in the injection pump. On that engine any one of those that give the computer a false signal will throw off the whole shebang and it will run like **** with alot of trouble codes. If some one indexed the cam wrong it will also do the same thing. Oh one last thing check the fuel lift pump if there is any doubt update it. Write me if you need assistance.

Ed Dankievitch at Dankievit@aol .com

 

[Milo Pig]

When I removed the injection pump I can see that there is only one way to key the pump into the timing gear. That gear is loose when the pump is out so maybe the gear is a tooth off? How can I check the timing of this gear?



Joe, I really hear what you are saying I agree 100% but I have a regulator (the Wife and my 67 Camaro)



Thanks for the support,

Sean

 

[Alphacowboy]

When I removed the injection pump I can see that there is only one way to key the pump into the timing gear. That gear is loose when the pump is out so maybe the gear is a tooth off? How can I check the timing of this gear?



Joe, I really hear what you are saying I agree 100% but I have a regulator (the Wife and my 67 Camaro)



Thanks for the support,

Sean

The injection pump is not "timed" off the gear. the gear just drives the pump for pressure, the electronics control the injections. As I have read, the pump is not timed at all of the gear case, just uses it to drive the pump.

 

[Milo Pig]

Thanks for the info. I will be installing the VP44 in a couple of hours. All I am waiting on now is my injectors.



Thanks for the help guys,

Sean

 

[Milo Pig]

The VP44 is is breeze from what I am use to (Duramax). Last injection pump I did on a Duramax took me from sun up to sun down! Oh and injectors are too easy on this little Cummins. Again on a Duramax it takes all day for a injector install. Kinda glad I am keeping her.



Thanks,

Sean