Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
It's been an interesting last 4 weeks. A little over 3 years ago, I bought a 1998. 5 Dodge 2500 with 30,000 miles on it,from a dealership in TN, after my Nissan died on the highway there. I put a Van Aaaken module in it and was very happy with it. I noticed that on hard acceleration, it would knock a little, but I've put about 90,000 miles on it and have been thrilled overall.
About 2 months ago, a co-worker with a 1999 who was experiencing problems finally was stranded at the side of the road, and had his towed to the Dodge dealer in Fremont, CA. They replaced the lift pump, and the VP44, with the total close to $3500. Due to his problem, I found a fuel pressure unit on eBay, and it arrived about a month ago, just before I was due to go cross country. I hooked it up, and low and behold, my lift pump was not running at all --- 0 psi. I called the same Dodge dealership, and found they wanted $360 for the lift pump. A call to the Cummins dealership in San Leandro came up with the Cummins lift pump (pn 3990082), with the wiring adapter included, for $145. I bought it, installed it, and was amazed to actually, for the very first time, hear it run when the ignition was first turned on. Good pressure, and my truck was on it's way from the SF Bay Area to Oklahoma City, Flint Michigan and then heading back to California. While in Iowa, it was hard starting at a rest area, so I replaced the fuel filter (I carry 2) and finally got it going after about 5 minutes. An hour later, at a McDonalds, it would turn over but not start. After 3 hours, It started. I carry extra fuel, and was doing fine until while in Wyoming, I noticed it hesitated on cruise, 70 mph, and when the EGT got to ~ 1000 degrees. I pulled into the Flying J in Rawlins, WY and it died as I was heading to the pump. I didn't get to fill up, and finally called a tow truck after fruitless efforts, and had it towed to a diesel service place in Rawlins. There have never been any check lights, but they found over 30 lift pump errors with their code reader, even though there was 10 to 20 psi at all times from the pump. They were successful getting it to start if they waited a couple of minutes with the ignition on, before cranking. They figured the VP44 was dying, but didn't have one. On I went. At Ft Bridger, WY, I turned it off and that turned out to be the death of the VP44. Good Sams paid for the tow to Evanston Dodge, but I was concerned about the limited options, and instead, paid almost $300 out of pocket to have it towed on to Salt Lake City (105 miles). I got dropped off at the Ramada, and next morning, started calling around. The Dodge dealership quoted $2000 for the Mopar VP44, and $300 to install. I talked with Injection Services in SLC, and they are an authorized Bosch remanufacturer. Their price was $950 for the VP44. The Dodge dealership did a scan and found more of the lift pump errors, but also found a fuel injector pump timing error this time. The $950 pump was deleiver to them, and they installed it for the $300, and did some other work on my truck while it was there.
I left the dealership and started the 775 mile drive home, and the reman works great. I remember reading peoples comments here that if the lift pump fails, it's not if, but when, the VP44 will fail. I agree. It seems I was very lucky for 3 years (unless anyone knows of a lift pump that is totally silent when the ignition is turned on). I am very impressed with the remanufacturer in SLC, and am thinking I'd like to buy a core, get a replacement, and carry it around. If I had one in WY, I would have had it installed, or installed it myself.
I have also checked 4 other Dodges with the second and third gen Cummins, and on every one of them, the lift pump comes on for about 3 seconds,and then stops, prior to starting.
It seems that the VP44 is a major reason for hard starting, or the complete failurto start, assuming fuel pressure is good from the lift pump and through the fuel filter. I am somewhat relieved that I got out of this only spending what I did. That tow into SLC was money well spent, and even though I don't know what the Dodge dealer in Evanston would have charged, I can't see it being competitive with what I paid.
About 2 months ago, a co-worker with a 1999 who was experiencing problems finally was stranded at the side of the road, and had his towed to the Dodge dealer in Fremont, CA. They replaced the lift pump, and the VP44, with the total close to $3500. Due to his problem, I found a fuel pressure unit on eBay, and it arrived about a month ago, just before I was due to go cross country. I hooked it up, and low and behold, my lift pump was not running at all --- 0 psi. I called the same Dodge dealership, and found they wanted $360 for the lift pump. A call to the Cummins dealership in San Leandro came up with the Cummins lift pump (pn 3990082), with the wiring adapter included, for $145. I bought it, installed it, and was amazed to actually, for the very first time, hear it run when the ignition was first turned on. Good pressure, and my truck was on it's way from the SF Bay Area to Oklahoma City, Flint Michigan and then heading back to California. While in Iowa, it was hard starting at a rest area, so I replaced the fuel filter (I carry 2) and finally got it going after about 5 minutes. An hour later, at a McDonalds, it would turn over but not start. After 3 hours, It started. I carry extra fuel, and was doing fine until while in Wyoming, I noticed it hesitated on cruise, 70 mph, and when the EGT got to ~ 1000 degrees. I pulled into the Flying J in Rawlins, WY and it died as I was heading to the pump. I didn't get to fill up, and finally called a tow truck after fruitless efforts, and had it towed to a diesel service place in Rawlins. There have never been any check lights, but they found over 30 lift pump errors with their code reader, even though there was 10 to 20 psi at all times from the pump. They were successful getting it to start if they waited a couple of minutes with the ignition on, before cranking. They figured the VP44 was dying, but didn't have one. On I went. At Ft Bridger, WY, I turned it off and that turned out to be the death of the VP44. Good Sams paid for the tow to Evanston Dodge, but I was concerned about the limited options, and instead, paid almost $300 out of pocket to have it towed on to Salt Lake City (105 miles). I got dropped off at the Ramada, and next morning, started calling around. The Dodge dealership quoted $2000 for the Mopar VP44, and $300 to install. I talked with Injection Services in SLC, and they are an authorized Bosch remanufacturer. Their price was $950 for the VP44. The Dodge dealership did a scan and found more of the lift pump errors, but also found a fuel injector pump timing error this time. The $950 pump was deleiver to them, and they installed it for the $300, and did some other work on my truck while it was there.
I left the dealership and started the 775 mile drive home, and the reman works great. I remember reading peoples comments here that if the lift pump fails, it's not if, but when, the VP44 will fail. I agree. It seems I was very lucky for 3 years (unless anyone knows of a lift pump that is totally silent when the ignition is turned on). I am very impressed with the remanufacturer in SLC, and am thinking I'd like to buy a core, get a replacement, and carry it around. If I had one in WY, I would have had it installed, or installed it myself.
I have also checked 4 other Dodges with the second and third gen Cummins, and on every one of them, the lift pump comes on for about 3 seconds,and then stops, prior to starting.
It seems that the VP44 is a major reason for hard starting, or the complete failurto start, assuming fuel pressure is good from the lift pump and through the fuel filter. I am somewhat relieved that I got out of this only spending what I did. That tow into SLC was money well spent, and even though I don't know what the Dodge dealer in Evanston would have charged, I can't see it being competitive with what I paid.
If you look you can find one online for 136. 00 shipped to your door. I don't have the site on this computer but I will post it tomorrow. That price on your rebuilt vp44 doesn't sound too bad. Glad to have you here, Mike
