Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Mayday--Fass Fuel Pump Stopped

[RobertBradford]

1998. 5 3500 260k miles



I installed a FASS fuel pump (fass-fa-D03) six months ago and it just stopped. In trouble shooting I bypassed the relay by going from hot directly to the pump wire and the pump works and have 12 lbs. Changed the relay and nothing. Then I jumpped the wire from the fuel pump connector (for the old transfer pump)to the pump, turned the ignition on and nothing. Checked all the truck fusses and relays and all seems to be good.



Any suggestion for the best knowledge base in the world.



Thanks

 

[RobertBradford]

More info: I checked for codes and got P0606 (2 times) and P1693. This looks BAD!!!!

 

[RobertBradford]

I cleared the codes and P1693 and P1689 keeps coming back. It apears that either the ecm or the VP 44 is shot, the question is which one. I disconnected the edge and the guages appear to work.

 

[JLandry]

Robert,



You seem to know that P0606 DTC means the ECM is shot. Neither that code or the P1689 suggest the VP44 is bad.



You can verify there's nothing wrong with the VP44 by hot wiring your lift pump and the VP44 then starting the engine.



Sorry for what sounds like some rotten news.



John L.

 

[RobertBradford]

Thanks for the reply. The ECM is new grounds for me and have to learn fast to fix it. Yesterday the wife was leaving the campground and the truck started but sounded bad. She took off (before I could get out the door and stop her) and made it about a block down the road before she turned it around. She got back but said she had the pedal down to the floor but the truck iddled in. Now it's dead and won't start



Again thanks

 

[JLandry]

Robert,

If the ECM is indeed failing, then it's really not repairable in the field.

You have two basic options:

1. Try and buy a good used unit from a wrecking yard, eBay, etc. Ideally you want one from the same year and truck configuration (auto or manual transmission). You'll want to get the Cummins and Dodge part numbers off your ECM before you start your search.

2. Send yours in for repair to a reputable shop.

If you do this, you may wish to steer well clear of Auto Computer Exchange in Florida. They have a long list of unhappy and very angry customers, not to mention a BBB rating of F. When you search the internet for ECM rebuilders, watch carefully for web sites that are Auto Computer Exchange masquerading under another name.

One rebuilder I found doing a quick Google search which looks promising is Go ECM Diesel. Their web site seems to indicate they can supply remanufactured ECM's for your truck or rebuild yours. They're accredited by the BBB and have a B+ rating. I have no experience with them and I urge you to do your own research.

Good luck,

John L.

 

[RobertBradford]

THANKS I was looking at them (Auto Computer) and with that info will stay clear. I'll look at Go ECM Diesel.



Here's an update. I disconnected power and moved some wires getting to the ecm. After hooking up the bat's the truck started fine, the pump worked, and all sounded good BUT now if you touch the accelartor pedal the engine runs away and won't go to idle unless you turn it off. I tried a few times and it and each time runs away no matter how far you push the pedal.



I guess it's the ECM for sure and not the VP 44.

 

[JLandry]

THANKSI'll look at Go ECM Diesel.

Robert,



Whoever you wind up using, it might be a good idea to ask them if they do their own ECM rebuilding in-house, or if they sub them out. I mention this because I seem to recall reading a review somewhere of a supposed ECM rebuilder who simply forwarded ECM's out to Auto Computer Exchange for repair. The results were just as bad as dealing directly with Auto Computer Exchange, only there was now a middleman involved.

I tried a few times and it and each time runs away no matter how far you push the pedal.

You might try completely unplugging and replugging in the ECM connector a couple of times to make sure this just isn't a bad connection... it's happened before.



Also, have you checked again for trouble codes since you've encountered this runaway rpm situation?



John L.

 

[RX720B]

I just replaced my ECM with one from the dealer to the tune of 1500

 

[JLandry]

I just replaced my ECM with one from the dealer to the tune of 1500

That's one lofty tune!



John L.

 

[Nyoest]

I don't know where you are located but this sounds like a reallll good time to find a good dodge or cummins tech to take your truck to. Two hours labor trouble shooting is a heap of a lot cheaper than an ECM that doesn't fix it.



It could simply be corrosion in the multipin connectors rotten wires or Mickey mouse had a hey day on your wiring against the firewall. A GOOD tech will find these things.



I'm in the middle of an 06 that the fuel pump quit on. Turns out to be the connector under the drivers door. Every pin was corroded and a few were completely rotten. From the outside everything looked fine but the volt meter told the story. This would have been a great time to sell an ECM or tipm if we hadn't bothered to trouble shoot properly.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

A friend got a reman computer for his 98 12 valve from Rock Auto; the voltage regulator module was dead. Good price and fst service; the new one was programmed and ready to play.

 

[JMetzger]

I have said this before & JLandry said but i kept having 1689 codes & could reset it & would run. Everyone said it was the VP. Went to Dynamic Diesel in Reno, NV & he said let me try something. He cleaned ECM, PCM, connections on the fuse & relay box & the Banks. That was 20,100 ago with no further problems. He said that the older trucks are getting old enough now to have electrical connections that can be getting dirty. He said he has found that the connections have to be squeaky clean or there are problems. Might try cleaning all the connections.

 

[RobertBradford]

Thanks againfor everyones help.



I pulled the ECM and there is company in Detroit that rebuilds them for a tune of $650. I have check all the connections and they all look clean but I cleanened them again and put some di-electric grease in them and reinstalled resulting in the same problem, at the start the pump comes on when you put the key into start, the truck starts but if you push on the acelerator the engine runs away. After that the pump won't start again unless you unhook the bat then rehook them and start the process again. The funny thing is I now get no codes even when the engine tries to run away.



I guess the next step is to send out the ecm and hope that fixes it. Hate to send that kind of cash and find out it did fix a thing.



Thank again, you guys are great!!!