Smarty & Codes Question???

[Crazy Horse]

Today my questions were answered. Over the last few weeks I've encountered a few incidents of "Dead Pedal". I removed the old BD Plug n Power (thinking it may be the cause due to age), cleared the codes and all ok for a week.



I recently installed Smarty, Program #7 and did the ABS update for tire size. I love the Smarty. All went good till today I experienced "DP" again a couple of times. Get home checked and we got a 0216. Well I cleared the codes due to probable problem VP and or LP.





The Question,

I plan on taking it to the dealer for warranty. If I set another 0216 and put the truck back to "Stock" configuration and do not clear the codes will the dealer know Smarty was hooked up? I don't know how long it's going to take to reset another 0216 in stock configuration and would like to take in to the dealer before it totally dies. . .

 

[Bob Wagner]

a nw bomber had the same problem as yours. The smarty does not cause the damage to the vp 44.



If you return the truck back to stock the P0602 goes away and if you can pull a load the P0216 will set again.



The smarty will show if you have a weak or dying injection pump.





I've been running the catcher and now smarty for 2 years and I have never set a P0216 code

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Just for the record, and FYI, so far this makes 3 of us - the guy on NW Bombers, me, and now you. My case and the NW Bomber guy could pretty easily set the 216 code WITH the Smarty - but very difficult to do so without it. Dunno about the other guy, but I installed a new VP-44, no more codes - but the original VP never at any time ran poorly, or displayed any symptoms of failure, even on a test drive up a steep local grade towing our 5er - but reving the engine up close to 3000 RPM in neutral and holding it for a few seconds would deliver a 216 EVERY TIME with the Smarty software loaded.



No negative inferences to Smarty intended - just a general FYI...

 

[Davidson]

I also experienced "dead pedal" twice over a period of two years and about 20k. When I installed the Smarty I got a "dead pedal" pulling my 5er after about 300 miles. I removed the Smarty, cleared the codes and drove another 4000 miles and then I started to get a dead pedal and an 0216 code about once a week and then it became progressively worse. I agree with Bob that the Smarty will show that you have a weak and dying VP. The Smarty is not to blame for the VP failures. My VP was starting to fail when the truck was still stock.

Also FYI, I took my truck over to DAVE SMITHS, where I bought it, and they took one look under the hood and voided the warranty because I moved the LP down to the frame. I expected them to do this, but it was worth a try.



I now have a new VP from Industrial Injection, the Smarty, and no more codes or "dead pedals".







s

 

[jamnram]

I had basicly the same problemm it actually started with the catcher. The smarty showed that my VP was dying. With the smarty I would sometimes get the 216 code. Then it started showing more often, even on the stock setting. Decided becase of mods not to even try the dealer, plus I don't trust them, drove it to II and had them replace the VP and install a FASS. Just past St George got the dead pedal and had it all the way to SLC. Some hills I was lucky to hold 65. New VP even on stock setting made a huge difference in the way the truck ran. With new VP and smarty on 9 it finally started slipping the clutch, so new clutch, been an expansive couple of months. Luv the way it runs now, smarty is awesome. Lots of smoke down low, next will be turbo upgrade.

 

[Crazy Horse]

I'm not blaming the Smarty at all.



I had dead pedal problems before the Smarty on a couple of occations. Only code ever set was a 0500, which has never come back.



My only deal is I want to set a code again now that I know the "dead" pedal was caused by a VP and or LP problem, put the truck back in "stock" mode and take it in to the dealer for repairs (warr) with out them seeing any sign of Smarty.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I'm not blaming the Smarty at all.

NOPE - but it never hurts to keep any such "incidents" or tendencies out in the open for the benefit of the onlookers - or perhaps other users who might have had the same experience, but assumed they were alone!



If the passage of time reveals a bit of a tendency for "weak". or otherwise susceptible VP-44 to be at even the SLIGHTEST increased risk by use of the Smarty, potential - and current owners ought to be aware of the fact. Any of the popular power add-ons have been shown to sometimes place VP-44's at risk - or outright failure - and one of the Smarty sales points has been the increase in available power WITHOUT tapping the pump wire, which many assume is risky to the VP-44.



If it slowly surfaces that he Smarty too, in any significant numbers might also increase stress and potential VP-44 failures, that fact should not be swept under the rug in the name of brand loyalty!



So far, we only have very light smoke - but no fire...

 

[Crazy Horse]

I wonder what the chances are of just getting a new VP - so I can install an aftermarket LP like the Walbro or the Fass Pump on my own??? What I've read about the Campaign In Tank Coversions don't sound good, and would a step or two backwards from what I have now in the LP on the motor. I'm half tempted to just go with aftermarket VP and LP to save a big PITA.

 

[KWilkinson]

I wonder what the chances are of just getting a new VP - so I can install an aftermarket LP like the Walbro or the Fass Pump on my own??? What I've read about the Campaign In Tank Coversions don't sound good, and would a step or two backwards from what I have now in the LP on the motor. I'm half tempted to just go with aftermarket VP and LP to save a big PITA.

Some advise from a Dodge dealer tech, I would actually check your fuel flow post filter. The tests that Chrysler set out for us is 48-52 oz. of fuel per ignition cycle(bumping the starter for the LP to run 30 sec). If fuel flow is not sufficient to the VP, we are required to do the in-tank conversion. Chrysler will not allow us to do a simple LP R&R, even though some customers have requested it, like you are talking. Once proper fuel flow is achieved, DTCs are cleared and driven, checking for origional complaint (whether it's just a DTC, dead pedal, whatever). If anything returns, the VP is then changed. That is the procedure Chrysler requires for Inj. pump issues, and if was me, I would check fuel flow(I usually remove the section of rubber hose between the filter housing and the VP, and turn on the key to allow fuel to fill up a hose I attach and run outside of the truck into a beaker) and make sure it flows the recommended 48-52 oz. If it doesnt, I would put a filter in it and check again. If it's still low, I would get a Mopar LP (Dont go to the dealer that you are taking your truck to, may get them a little suspicious). Replace the pump so that you achieve the recommended fuel flow. That way when the tech does the flow test, their would be no need to replace the LP, and an Inj. pump should be replaced.



I hope all goes well, and if you feel like making the trip, come on down to Artesia, NM and I can try to pull a quick one on Chrysler and get you a VP!

 

[Warpig]

The same thing happened to me also. (p216 after smarty) I believe the smarty will reveal a dying injection pump as Bob stated above. Replaced the vp and no more 216.



Tim W.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Warpig, thanks for the advice, thats what I figured - I just sent you a PM.

Phil