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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Suddenly Dead Engine

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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission This can't be right?

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lfwood

TDR MEMBER
My '98. 5 would not restart yesterday after a five minute engine stop (first time this has occurred). When towed to the nearest service station (full service shop) and code checker attacted, there were no stored codes. Lift pump was activating on every key off/on/start cycle, pressurizing and shutting off before engine was cranked, but ran for about 30 seconds after cranking stopped. The lift pump was replaced once in September, 2001.



I called a diesel shop (nearest is 60+ miles away) and discussed problem with the owner. He seemed to think it was the injection pump failure. I seemed to think that it might be another lift pump, but even when my first lift pump failed, the truck would start and run at idle, and even under light load up to about 35 MPH before it started bucking. In this instance it would not even pop once.



After about one hour of engine off time, and 20 minutes since the last time cranked, I went out and on a lark tried to start it again. It fired right up immediatly, on the first rev, as if nothing had ever happened. It was still running smoothly after 15 minutes. A short test drive revealed no loss of power, so I have to surmise the lift pump is working OK, at least most of time.



The truck is still at the service station. I was afraid to drive it home. I suspect an electrical malfunction now with the injection pump, probably heat related. However, I also wonder about terminal corrosion. I live in NW Montana and we get our highways sprayed with liquid deicer, pretty corrosive stuff if it got into the wrong place. But why no codes?



This is a work truck. I cover all over NW Montana almost every week, so need it back ASAP. The truck has never before left me stranded like this, even when the lift pump quit and the infamous fifth gear nut backed off.



Any ideas would be appreciated before I decide to have it towed to the diesel shop. I will not risk a 60 mile drive until I find out what is wrong.



Specs: 98. 5, 2500, stock engine, 5-speed, LB, PacBrake



Thank you for your time.



- Larry
 
This is the 24V ISB engine, one of the first since truck was built in February, 1998.



I don't believe there is a fuel cutoff solenoid on these engines. The electronic injection pump controls the fuel on/off.



Guess I should start planning for an injection pump replacement, but not before checking wiring connections for corrosion or wear.



Thanks!

- Larry
 
Sounds like the control board INSIDE the VP Cracked . . . . . . Which o. k you need a VP44 anyhow. Do your shopping! If you are mechanicly enclined do it yourself!! There are horror stories about people getting badly ripped off on this site so don't become a statistic. Get the pump yourself D/C has no quams whatsoever charging $2890. 00 for a $1500. 00 pump, never the less labor. Most service stations get parts like this from dealers and mark up ontop of that.



Case in point a member out here was quoted $4100 dollars for a vp44 AFTER the truck was prepped for replacement. The owner after hearing this went down there and in their own parking lot swapped out the pump in front of the showroom that he purchased himself somewhere else :-laf
 
Well...



A code checker was put on the rig today. Yep, a P0216.



I'm thinking of putting in an upgrade VP from Blue Chip. Any long term users of these units?



Thanks to all who have responded!



- Larry
 
This is the end of the story.



A Blue Chip Diesel enhanced pump was put in today (the ones with hardened computer). Doesn't miss a beat, now. I was charged $360 for the change out, but this included a new fuel filter.



Reflecting on some possible warnings that the pump was going to quit, someday, was an occasional rough idle after some long distance driving, especially last summer but some this winter, too, which disappeared when the engine cooled down.



Happy to have my CTD back!



- Larry
 
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