Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) No start problem help!!

[strehl]

Last time the truck ran was Thursday Aug 7. It ran normal that day. I've been riding my motorcycle to save on fuel costs so I didnt need the truck until this last sat. Got in the truck and all it would do is crank. Tried starting it on starting fluid started right up then died. OK no fuel. Cracked some lines and had fuel. Checked codes via key cycles and got 0252 and 1693. Staarted thinking injection pump. My buddy just brought his scanner from work over and the scanner says ecm not avaliable cycle key 5 times. Did that and nothing happens. Now I'm starting to think it might not be injection pump but possibly ecm or wiring. Anyone have any ideas on where I should start looking? Maybe see if my ecm went on vacation to florida or something and didn't tell me

 

[JLandry]

I think at this point I'd get a second opinion... try a different scanner!



On a scale of probabilities, the VP44 injection pumps fail a LOT more often than the ECM's do, but you can't tell which one it is without more testing.



One way to rule out the VP44 would be to attach a Cummins part number 3163834 tester to it. This device attaches directly to the VP44 and the truck's battery, completely bypassing the ECM. The engine is then cranked and if the VP44 is functional the engine will run under the control of the tester. This tester is available for $462. 41 new from Hoesli Diesel or $345. 96 new from Miller Special Tools. Any Cummins repair shop should have this tool. See the Cummins web site for repair shop locations.



Another method would be to connect a Chrysler DRBIII Scan Tool and run the diagnostics. Those scanners run about $2800 (and up) used on eBay. Any Chrysler dealer will have one of course.



Lastly, you could go ahead and replace the ECM with a $500 rebuilt unit from a seller like Auto Computer Exchange, and if that doesn't fix the problem, you could resell it on eBay to get most of your money back.



Good luck,



John L.

 

[strehl]

thanks john. I think my buddy is going to pick it up tonight and hook it up to the computer at the shop and see if anything different happens. If not he's going to see if he can cash in on some favors and bring it into a cummins dealer.

 

[JLandry]

thanks john. I think my buddy is going to pick it up tonight and hook it up to the computer at the shop and see if anything different happens. If not he's going to see if he can cash in on some favors and bring it into a cummins dealer.

Please let us know how everything works out.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[strehl]

Update. The ecm checks out ok now. Ran some tests on the vp and there is fuel coming out of every line when cranking. But since I was not there when he was doing this my question. How much fuel should be coming out of each line? Should it spray out? He said theres fuel all over the engine now. It still wont start tho.

 

[JLandry]

How much fuel should be coming out of each line? Should it spray out? He said theres fuel all over the engine now. It still wont start tho.

Depending on how loose you have the fuel injection lines, the fuel does spurt out pretty good.



Since you did get that P0252 trouble code (and presumably it comes back if you clear it), my vote is that you do have a failure of the solenoid valve in the VP44 as the trouble code suggests. It could be stuck open thus allowing fuel to flow to each cylinder, but without the necessary injection pressure and precise timing the engine needs to run.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[strehl]

Depending on how loose you have the fuel injection lines, the fuel does spurt out pretty good.



Since you did get that P0252 trouble code (and presumably it comes back if you clear it), my vote is that you do have a failure of the solenoid valve in the VP44 as the trouble code suggests. It could be stuck open thus allowing fuel to flow to each cylinder, but without the necessary injection pressure and precise timing the engine needs to run.



Best regards,



John L.

Can I fix just the solenoid valve or is that too deep in the pump that I need to replace the whole pump?

 

[JLandry]

Can I fix just the solenoid valve or is that too deep in the pump that I need to replace the whole pump?

Unfortunately you need to replace the whole pump.



Even if you felt up to tearing into the pump, parts and rebuild instructions aren't readily available to anyone but authorized Bosch repair shops. Once and awhile you can find a non-Bosch gasket kit for a VP44 sold on eBay, but it doesn't even come with instructions and none of the many parts you may need to replace. Lastly, you wouldn't have access to a proper fuel injection pump test and calibration stand:



#ad




Time to shop for a rebuilt VP44 from a reputable shop.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[strehl]

Alright. #@$%! Right when I don't have the cash thats when it decides to die. How can I expect any different than usual tho right??





Thanks for the help John. Its greatly appreciated.