Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Please help diagnose problem

[Sregorb]

All,

Got a request via email from a guest lurker on a problem she's having. Here's the text:

Hi - I'm not sure if I have a lift pump problem or not - I have a 2001 2500 with 5. 9L Cummings 24V Diesel - at 36,000 miles - owned it since last Sept.

It has been sluggish at times - loses power during acceleration -like sort of cuts out. I'm not sure if I am explaining it well or not. Took it to the dealer a couple of weeks ago and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it.

Any info would be appreciated

Thanks

Melissa



In an effort to appear like I'm actually smart , I responded with:

Would love to help, if I can. I'd be interested in further info to help diagnose this though... .

Like:

1. Has the fuel filter been replaced in the 36,000?

2. Do you do your own maintenance? This is more to guage your

familiarity with the CTD.

3. "loses power during acceleration-like sort of cuts out. " Is that

during full throttle acceleration or normal day to day driving acceleration, passing only?

4. Is it a "stumble" or a more than momentary loss of power to the drivetrain?



I'll also post this (email excluded) on the TDR and see if we can get a general consensus and a direction to start moving in... . I take it your not a member? Lurking? Either way, I'll post this and see what we come up with after I get your response back to the above.



The answers back:

1. I don't know if the fuel filter has been changed in the 36,000 miles or not - it has not been in the 18,000 miles that I put on it.

2. I don't do my own maintenance and know little to nothing about the inner workings of vehicles. I wish I would have taken it upon myself to learn more - but have not so I have to rely on mechanics.

3. Loses power during day to day driving acceleration. It has also done it while not noticably accelerating - just driving along. (but is possible that may have been slightly accelerating)

4. I'm not sure how to answer this - it seems to be momentary - but when it does it the reaction of the driver is to let up on the accelerator pedal briefly and then to step down again - the vehicle sometimes will cut out several times in a row.



Your right - I'm not a memeber - I found the site by doing a search for Dodge warranty (I was concerned that since we were so close to 36,000 miles when first took it in with this problem that was the "reason" why they couldn't determine what was wrong with it) - ended up on an attorney's website that linked to the NHTSA (& ODI) which had a complaint about loss of power which mentioned the TDR site.

---------



OK, that's it in it's entirety. I'm suspecting the fuel filter right off the bat as the first step towards isolation. Swap that out and see if problem reoccurs? What's the TDR collective expert opinion?



Brian

 

[BarryG]

Brian:

If is not the filter I would certainly put a pressure gauge on and check the lift pump under driving conditions.

 

[Sregorb]

Thanks for the fast reply Barry!

Is DC going by lift pump pressure checks or by the volumetric test I remember hearing about? I thought they had changed to a "so many mL in so much time" kinda test instead... I'll have to check on that now.



Brian

 

[Thomas]

TSB 14-002-03

 

[BarryG]

Brian:

When they tested my fp several months ago when my lp went out they did a pressure test. A few weeks ago when my vp44 went out they tested volume. I have the sheet that says what it tested at but do not know what the low level point is. Not sure how they can test the volume with the truck running so it must be unhook the line at some point, turn the key on bump the starter let the pump run through its cycle and measure the volume it pumped.



Looks like Thomas has the real skinny on it.

 

[WadePatton]

Remind her that the Cummins warranty is for 100k. --like any of us haven't voided ours.

 

[Billybob1]

Just a Thought...

Where is she located? Maybe one of the members could do a quick fuel pressure check for her and see if they notice anything else that could cause it.

 

[Ron Bissett]

I tell her to sign up she will not be the only woman on the register. Filter needs change, could be loose air hose from turbo to cooler to Eng . She can read posts current but needs to have access to archives. Also have her check air box filter minder . Ron Bissett in Metro Louisville KY.

 

[BV]

I would start with a fuel filter change (Not from a dealer) and air filter check (filter minder may not be functional) then fuel pressure check and intake air leaks.



Can codes be pulled using the key on/off/on/off/on trick for this model year ?



Good idea about a local TDR member doing the checkup. I know I would change a filter for a 6 pack of cold ones and chance to help someone.

 

[IWeiny]

Lost mine the same way.

I was going across NV and the truck would just slowdown and then come back up to speed. After the night it went away and we got all the way to CO before it started again. I took it to a dealer and said "I think the fuel filter is bad. " They said "no lift pump" best dealer I have ever been to. Got a pump in overnight and got on the way home before the snow storm.



She shoulds like I did when I did not have a clue as to what was happening. Probably is a lift pump...



Ira

 

[Sregorb]

Ok, checked the email today. She's following along here and lives in Minnesota. Just took the truck back to the dealership with two codes. I gave her the codes definition from the service manual.



From her:

The Dodge is parked outside

and our soil is quite sandy - our driveway is not the best this summer and is either dusty with potholes or muddy - with water/mud holes (has been quite wet this summer. During the week I drive it to work - 5 miles one way. On weekends it either sits or I use it to pull the trailer (16 foot steel stock trailer

I took it back to the dealer yesterday and now two different codes show up -

1693 and 0122 - apparently something electrical related - but not sure what and they don't know if that is the source of the problem or not. Took it in today and they are going to go through the wires.



Responded by giving the code definitions

0122=Throttle position sensor voltage low or Accelerator Position Sensor (APPS) signal too low.

1693=DTC detected in Companion Module or DTC detected in PCM/ECM or DTC detected in ECM.

Either of these likely culprits or just distractions from the real problem?

I'm also going to see if we can get a MN member nearby to help out from the TDR companion with her permission.



Brian

PS isn't the TDR awesome!

 

[WadePatton]

start there

Clean/reset the TPS. Resetting is simply moving it slowly through the full range AFTER unhooking the batteries for a few minutes to clear the ECM/PCM.



The 1693 is a code that means you have a code. Doesn't really stand for anything on its own.

 

[Sregorb]

Any volunteer members in the St. Cloud MN area? Otherwise the closest from the companion will be Cambridge+Minneapolis/St. Paul areas... .



I think the dealership is taking care of the codes, once the truck is back we'll continue with the loss of power problem.



Brian

 

[Sregorb]

Ok, truck is back from dealership with codes cleared and the TPPS replaced! She's going to do some driving this weekend and see if she can recreate problem. If yes, then fuel filter, lift pump test, injector pump test in that order. Since it's under warranty she'll probably be working with the dealer but having a member provide backup or pre-dealership diagnoses will help alot. Any takers?



Brian