Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Pacbrake problem and code 216

[OutbackDiesel]

I have a problem with a pacbrake stuck closed. Switch is off, but I noticed there doesn't seem to be any power to it when I was trying to get the brake to disengage. Any thoughts out there on what might be the problem? I've tried disconnecting the power to the vacuum solenoid, that didn't help. I'm just not real familiar with the way these function, but I can't get it to disengage without manually opening it by pushing the shaft in with something. Also, has anyone heard of a truck setting the 216 code because of the problems possibly caused by driving significant amounts of time with the pacbrake stuck shut? Or can the 216 only be set when it's positively a inj pump problem? I know it means there is a difference between the actual and desired timing for a period of 5 seconds or longer. I only have 60,000 on the new pump, and never a fuel pressure below 10 psi (15 at idle). Thanks in advance for any help... .

 

[Cummins724]

The 0216 is the death code, but if the pac brake is wired to the ecm & you ran it with the brake shut. You may have burnt the pump up because the ecm triggers the brake through the ground wire. The ecm engages the brake & cuts fuel back while brake is active..... Only way around this is a throttle switch. I'm not sure how the ecm cuts the fuel back, but I believe it cycles the LP & If you are giving it throttle while this is happening..... you are starving the vp44 of fuel flow because the LP is being told to cut back fuel supply. I'm only guessing here, but I'm sure someone will answer who has more knowledge of how the ecm works with the brake.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

I don't think the brake is wired through the ecm. It does have a throttle switch though. The truck has been experiencing the dead pedal problem intermittently for several months, I have been hoping it's not the Injection pump. I have never run a fueling box or any mods for that matter save some mild rv injectors, which shouldn't affect the pump anyway. These VP44's could definitely be better.

 

[Cummins724]

Usually when the 0216 shows up..... its a "no give" code for a bad vp. I'd say that it is bad.

 

[jtisdale]

The good news... get some spray lube and lube up the shaft and the pivot joints on the pac brake. Then work it on and off a few times. That should take care of it, if not, you may have to take the brake off and look inside at the butterfly and see if the shaft is sooted up. Clean and reinstal.

The ECM only acts as a trigger for the pac brake. When the ECM sees 0% throttle input, it sends 12v out of that pin to power the electric/vacuum solenoid. That turns the brake on. When you step on the throttle again the ECM sees a throttle position > 0 and cuts the power out of that pin. This opens the solenoid and releases the vacuum and the big spring in the brake canister pulls the butterfly open. Its that simple. Or maybe its the other way around...



The bad news... your vp is dying a slow and agonizing death. It might give up tomorrow, and it might be next week, but it will be sooner than later. The P0216 code is the timing failure as you know, but a P0216 doesnt always mean a vp is headed south. The code can be set by an interruption in the fuel delivery such as running out, or filters waxing, or just trying to bleed the system after an injector or filter change. But, since you have the dead pedal, yours is frying. A lot of people here beleive if the VP is always supplied with an ample amout of clean fuel, the pumps will last "forever". This is not true, they all will die, just some sooner than others, like yours.

 

[Cummins724]

I'm getting confused here... . just talked to Pac Brake today about a po253 code that keeps coming up in my brothers 98. 5 when the Pac brake is applied. I may have understood him wrong, but I thought the guy said that the ecm cuts off fuel to the engine when signal is recieved for the brake to keep you from fueling while brake is applied? School me here!

 

[WestTN]

The ECM will only signal the e-brake to operate when the throttle is at idle. This is via ECM pin #20 I believe. The e-brake never 'speaks' to the ECM at all. All communication with ECM, PCM etc. is through the CCD buss.

 

[Cummins724]

I know that the ebrake can't communicate..... I got it straightened out in my head now. I spoke to a friend who does ebrake installs & he explained how they function. I always thought that the brake put a load on the ecm from activating the vacuum solenoid. Then when a load was detected that the ecm would cut off activation of the throttle. Duh! I sometimes blackout & lose my head for periods of time. I've got it straight now... . instead of a throttle switch activating the vacuum solenoid..... the apps works as a throttle switch in this case..... only activating the brake when idle is detected on the apps to the ecm. I have never hooked up a brake through the ecm & was confused on how that works.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

I think the newer trucks must have the connection to the ecm does that seem right? Or is it any truck that doesn't use a throttle switch. Mine has a throttle switch and then the on off switch mounted in the dash. I know these brakes stick open rather often, but this one is stuck closed. No matter the position of any of the switches. So my guess was maybe the vacuum solenoid is screwed up somehow. Because something is causing the brake to close and stay that way, even when I move it back and forth manually (opened and closed). So, it's not technically stuck in the sense that it can't be opened manually, it's just that something is causing it to stay closed despite the switches, etc.

 

[DerekW]

your vp is dying a slow and agonizing death. It might give up tomorrow, and it might be next week, but it will be sooner than later. The P0216 code is the timing failure as you know, but a P0216 doesnt always mean a vp is headed south. The code can be set by an interruption in the fuel delivery such as running out, or filters waxing, or just trying to bleed the system after an injector or filter change. But, since you have the dead pedal, yours is frying. A lot of people here beleive if the VP is always supplied with an ample amout of clean fuel, the pumps will last "forever". This is not true, they all will die, just some sooner than others, like yours.

Wow doesn't that just suck I don't believe high pressure pumps are very cheap. I wonder if the CR's have a death code... YOU KNOW WHAT i DON'T WANNA KNOW IT DON'T TELL ME CUZ I DON'T WANT ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH MINE ****KNOCK ON WOOD****

 

[jtisdale]

I think the newer trucks must have the connection to the ecm does that seem right? Or is it any truck that doesn't use a throttle switch. Mine has a throttle switch and then the on off switch mounted in the dash. I know these brakes stick open rather often, but this one is stuck closed. No matter the position of any of the switches. So my guess was maybe the vacuum solenoid is screwed up somehow. Because something is causing the brake to close and stay that way, even when I move it back and forth manually (opened and closed). So, it's not technically stuck in the sense that it can't be opened manually, it's just that something is causing it to stay closed despite the switches, etc.

I'm not sure about which newer trucks you are wondering about, but I have my pac wired directly to a 12vdc source (on my 01. 5). Meaning, I can turn it on/off at any throttle position. I did this for two reasons. . no ecm delay and quicker warm-up with the hi-idler.

Jim