Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) More lift pump ?s

[JWhedbee]

I've owned the p/u 4 weeks. Has run great up untill yesterday. '02 with 62K w/ AT. I towed a 4500 lb. boat 400 miles round trip to the coast through 3 or 4 6% grades. Now it takes 4 to 6 revs. to start. LP runs approx. 6+ seconds during WTS cycle. Sometimes it fires right off, other times it takes a number of revs to catch. My buddys '02 HO 6 spd. LP runs for 1/2 sec. and the truck fires off after 1/2 to 3/4 rev. every time. When my truck is running everything seems OK. MY question is, Is my LP going for it? I don't have gauges yet, but will soon. Help! Thanks Jeff

 

[Chipstien]

Like your buddies truck the LP should cycle for 30 seconds when you crank the motor. If not then some thing is wrong.

 

[mediccummin]

When was the last time the fuel filter was changed? Try that first then find someone with a gauge and check your LP pressure. I'm sure someone on here will have some more suggestions. But I would check the pressure with a gauge soon, so you dont run the risk of losing you VP. Good luck.

 

[mmclaughlin]

The lift pump will only run for 30 seconds if the starter is bumped. If you are turing the key to start it, it should turn on for like a half second while waiting for the Start Engine Light to come on.



This is kind of a pain, but it might help you figure out if you are having a problem with the lift pump: Replace your fuel filter (get it from a Cummins dealer and save over half that of a Mopar filter). Drain all the fuel out of the bowl and clean the bottom (if necessary). Put the new filter in with the bowl empty. Partially close the top - keep it loose enough so that air can escape. Bump your starter (do this by turning the ignition so that you get the lights on the dash on, then just touch the ingintion so that the starter gets to run for like a 10th of a second - as quick as you can get the starter to engage and that's it. Don't turn the key all the way to the off position, let it sit with the dash lights on. The lift pump should run for about 25 seconds (you should be able to hear it in the cab). It would be a good idae to keep an eye on the bowl to make sure fuel doesn't go all over the place. If you get fuel right away, turn the key to the off position - note - the pump will still run for a couple seconds even after you turn it to the off position. After doing this once, check the bowl to see if it filled up. If you don't get any fuel the first time, try it again. If you still don't get any fuel, then your lift pump is probably dead. Best bet if the pump is deal is to go to a Cummins dealer and buy a new one and do the repair yourself. It's a very easy job, and there is pletty of information here to guide you through the process.



Good luck

 

[JWhedbee]

Thanks Guys for the info. I'm going this morning to the cummins shop in Sacramento to get filters. Also I just cycled the key 3 times to check for codes and all I got was Pdone? Any info on that ? No numbers came up. Thanks again Jeff

 

[JWhedbee]

Just installed new LP and fuel filter. $154. 00 from Cummins and 2 hrs. to r/r both filter and LP. We'll see if it makes a diff. when starting while hot. Geno's garage was a ton of help on their tech. assist line, got gages coming but won't be here for 5 weeks do to back order. Thanks guys for the help. Jeff

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Dunno where near Vacaville ya are, but I have a mechanical guage setup to check pump PSI...

 

[24V-DSL]

Pdone = process complete with no codes.

 

[rashwor]

Don't want to be a party pooper. A thought for what it is worth... hard start or long start as you describe is what I had before replacing my VP44. Replacing my VP44 injection pump cured the problem.



Pardon my ignorance for not reading the thread, but here are my thoughts. Try the small things first such as fuel filter and lift pump. Check the codes. I believe it is 0216 that indicates injection pump timing error / failure. This code usually indicates impending death of VP44, but you won't always get a code when the VP44 is going bad. When mine was replaced, there was no code set. It was checked with OBDII for codes prior to replacing and there were none.



If you have the code 0216 and are still within the mileage (100,000) and time (5 years from date of original purchase) find a reputable dealer and have them check it out. This could save you a hefty bill on the VP44 replacement. I had to replace mine on my dime due to poor dealer support and being out of warranty by the time I dianosed it and figured it out myself. I did not really want the dealer doing anything to my truck anyway, so I had a reputable diesel shop do the work for about 1/2 price of dealer including new VP44.



Good luck.