Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) No power in 5th Gear

[SLowe]

Well hello to all. My name is Soren Lowe and I am a Firefighter/Paramedic in Lewiston, Idaho. I am a proud owner of a 2002 Ram 2500 5 speed diesel. I am a rookie when it comes to diesels and problems so that is why I signed on to TDR. I have a problem and am looking for help. I was pulling a little utility trailer up a steep hill at 7% grade and had no power in 5th gear. Everytime I would shift into 5th, I would lose power and my speed would slow down to 50mph. I just recently changed my fuel filter, and that is it. I haven't put any injecter cleaner into my fuel tank yet but just recently bought some Standadine. I am scheduled to have the truck looked at on Wednesday, but if anyone could give me some insite on what might be wrong that would be great. I have 42,000 miles on it and someone told me it might be a lift pump problem. Hope to hear from someone soon. Thanks.

 

[GMincher]

The first thing that comes to mind..... Do you have a fuel pressure guage? If not make sure your lift pump hasn't gone 10-7!! It can kill your injector pump if you continue running without fuel pressure. Your gonna' hear it here! Get some guages, get fuel pressure, exhaust gas temp and boost. With some basic understanding of these systems you can trouble shoot your lack of power. Best of luck, Greg

 

[GMincher]

I forgot something, If this is only a problem when towing the trailer did you check to see if the axle bearings or brakes on the trailer were locked up? (snicker) I'm messin' with ya'... . unless it DOES only happen with the trailer! Greg

 

[SLowe]

Well thanks for the input. No I don't have any gauges for my truck yet, but everyone I talk to highly recommends it. What brand of gauges do you recomment? And do you recomment the dash mount type or the type that mount on the A post? Anyway, I am taking it to a Dodge dealer on Wednesday since it should all be under warranty. My Battalion Chief recommended that fass system. Do you know anything about it? I am sure you do. Anyway hope all is going well and take it easy.

 

[Supermod56]

Nice to see a fellow Idaho Firefighter on the board!! Yes, first thing you have to do is put gauges on it, Autometer makes a real nice triple gauge pod for the A-Pillar, you can use any of the popular gauges, Autometer, Isspro, DiPricol, etc. They all work. Geno's garage is a good place to get em. If the dealer won't replace the lift pump under warranty, get it done somewhere else, that's more than likely what's wrong with it, mine was the same way at 50K. The FASS is a good upgrade, a bit pricey, but worth it.



Tom



2001. 5 2500 4X4 5-Spd LB QC Black. Catcher ECM, DD Stage-1's, AFE, Bully Dog 4" pipe, ATS Exhaust Manifold, Silencer Ring MIA, JAKE Brake w/shifter switch, Geno's Banjo's, 3 Autometer's on the A-Pillar, Gear Vendor's O/D, Firestone Air Bags, Redline Oil throughout.

Soon-to-have 14cm Turbo Housing and RASP Pump (Thanks Olee!!)

 

[gonehuntingagain]

How heavy is the trailer? The Lewiston grade is pretty steep as well as long, so you may need to leave it in 4th on the way up when pulling. Leaving it in 4th at 65mph will also lower your exhaust gas temperature compared to 5th gear at 50mph.



Definately need to get a fuel pressure guage (minimum).



If you see a blue Ram with a TDR sticker on the back window blowing by you on the hill, be sure to wave!

I love blowing past people going up that hill.

 

[SLowe]

Don't know the weight but it's just a little trailer that shouldn't even bother the good ol cummins motor. Have never had problems before. Maybe it's just the stink nasty air from lewiston. :-laf

 

[GMincher]

I don't have a FASS on my truck. Still have a stock lift pump. It is the third one. But thanks to 2yr. warranties, I have only had to buy one! With guages you will know if your fuel pressure is lower than it should be. You can also keep an eye on your exhaust temps. and boost pressure. You'll find that they're very closely related and quite important. I have the A pillar type mount. A buddy had the same setup on his truck, I sat in it and found that it didn't hurt visability much at all. (Like you could hurt it much more in these trucks!) I bought one and filled it with Dipricol guages. Money well spent. All purchased from Genos Garage. Hope your baby feels better soon! Greg

 

[Blue2002]

I would also agree with the lift pump being prime suspect. Find someone who can lend you manual fuel pressure gauge. Then look on the fuel line between the Lift Pump and the Injector Pump there is a oversize schraeder type valve where you can connect the gauge. You should see ~ 11 to 14 psi at idle. I would temporaily duct tape the gauge to the windshield and check the pressure under load. I like to see the pressure stay above 7-8 psi under load on WOT and around 10-11 psi cruising at 65mph on the flats. Cummins will have a much lower price than than Dodge Dealer for a lift pump. I changed it in ~40 minutes (first time for me), maybe 20 minutes for soemone who knows what they are doing. There are other places with even lower prices for lift pumps if you have the time to look around .

ALSO on your truck you can check to see if you have any codes by turning the key from Ignition off to ignition on position three times then leave the key in the on position. Look in the trip odometer for the code readout You'll see something like ECU, ECU Done and PCU, PCU Done. Note if you see any codes between the test with a format like P### (P0216, P0500 so on... ) These codes can help point you the suspect areas.

I sure other will chime in with better info

 

[HeavyHauler]

ALSO on your truck you can check to see if you have any codes by turning the key from Ignition off to ignition on position three times then leave the key in the on position. Look in the trip odometer for the code readout You'll see something like ECU, ECU Done and PCU, PCU Done. Note if you see any codes between the test with a format like P### (P0216, P0500 so on... ) These codes can help point you the suspect areas.

I sure other will chime in with better info

Does this work on all 24V models? I've never heard this before.

 

[JRichard]

Heavy Hauler, to my knowledge it works on all 24 valvers, EXCEPT 98. 5 and 99 model years, it was reinstated in 2000 i beleive.



Jake

 

[HeavyHauler]

Cool! You learn something every day.

 

[JTeague]

The method of turning the key on and off three times only works to get codes out of the PCM not the ECM. If there is a code in the ECM it will register P1693 on the odometer. This code means there is a DTC in the companion module, the ECM. A scan tool is needed to access the ECM codes. By the way, Chrysler has used the key cycling technique to access computer codes for years, its nothing new.