Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) sputtering while cruising ???

[Batman]

Hello all,

It's been a while... ... .



Cruising on the highway at around 2300 rpm truck runs fine, then cuts-out, then goes again..... cuts-out = like letting off accelerator then pressing the accelerator again... .....



No codes, only a Smarty installed.....

Not transmission related... ...



I'm thinking it's the APPS... ... . I can't recall how to test the APPS, can someone chime in?



Thanks

George

 

[KBrennan]

Had a simular problem 6K miles back and then went away. I have been told it is the early signs of the VP44 going out. I have been researching pricing and all I can say I hope it holds for a few more months. $1100 for a bottom line rebild, $1700-$1900 for a top of the line rebuild and $2500 for factory new. Some say the instal is easy but I am not sure and I have asked around for shop labor price. Dodge Dealers about $500 to $600 and Diesel shops about $300. I will take it to the Cummins shop since the Dodge Dealer can barely spell Diesel

 

[Batman]

Thanks... ..... that would be my 3rd VP44... ..... hope you are wrong... .



BTW, If you are mechanically inclined at all, it is fairly straight forward with a shop manual. I did mine fairly quickly.

regards,

George

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Batman,

My first inclination would be the APPS. If you have a buddy with '98. 5 - '02 with the same transmission type (auto or manual) swap his APPS in and try it out. If no symptoms then you know what to do (assuming your buddies truck is showing no symptoms).

Save yourself some $ and PM Timbo here for an aftermarket APPS instead of the Dodge dealer.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

KBrennan,

If you decide not to do the VP swap yourself take it to a reputable diesel shop instead of Cummins.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[KBrennan]

Well I was a Gas Turbine Tech for 20 years in the Navy, built gas turbine and wind turbine plants for GE as a civilian. I I did install the Banks kit w/exauhst break and the Air Lift on mu own. just get nervous when it is my stuff I am working on.

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

KBrennan,

Don't sweat it dude! Just watch the videos of VP install, have the tools and parts ready, it will be a good experience and save you some bucks!

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[NoSeeUm]

Yeah, it is not bad at all even for a first timer like me.



The biggest dilemma I had was getting the gear off and that was really only because I had never done it before. Once I hit the right amount of torque, pop off it came. Probably only a 30 minute delay at worst while I was being a bit tentative and re-checking what needed to be done.



Jim

 

[Batman]

Trent, Thanks for the response... ...



Regards,

George

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

George,

Any resolution yet?

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Batman]

Nothing yet... ... ... .

no-one to swap APPS with. I will probably just order one from Timbo. If nothing else, I will have a spare.

Thanks for asking

g