Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Total loss of "go" occationally on hills?

[TTullio]

I have a '02 4x with an automatic, just exhaust and AFE mods. Every now and then after going up a hill (no towing or heavy load) when I ease on the gas there is nothing there. Forward acceleration is totally gone, the more I push on the "gas" doesn't make the engine do anything but bog and the whole truch goes slower and slower. There is no reving or anything else noice wise. It fixes itself just as fast (5 seconds or so) and it runs fine for months inbetwen the occurances. The other day while leaving the shooting club, there was a steep grade immediately apon the leaving the range. The truck starting up fine then lost power (10mph or so) and slowed to a stop up the grade. I put the truck in park then drive again and there was a noticeable clunk then the truck worked fine again. I have it at the dealer who says there are no codes they can find nor can they find anything else wrong. Basically, if there isn't a code, they don't look or speculate, they just say they can't fix it. The truck has 64K on it and I have the Gold Ram warranty on everything out to 100K. Can anybody speculate or help me figure out whats going on with the engine/trans? Thanks, Tim

 

[Reb.B]

you probably have a p-0216 code as well. Your vp-44 is shot. Occasionally if you lose throttle in town, then its a bad connection at the TPS, but this is your VP-44. Put a rebuilt one on and make sure you have good fuel pressure or it will do it again.

 

[Reb.B]

the problem is dodge knows it your pump but if they change it, its gonna be on them. The Bosche warrenty is only good for two years and 100K, so dodge and/or cummins eats the rest over 2 years.

 

[WMatt]

Mine had the same symptoms periodically last year and eventually started getting more and more frequent. Turned out to be my injector pump. Hope thats not your problem, but it sure sounds familiar.

 

[libertyram]

It was not the pump on mine it was the map sensor.

 

[2-ND TIME]

Sounds like vp-44

Sounds like the VP-44 is going. Mine would only boost to 14 lbs the last 6 or 8 months. Hope this isn't your case.

 

[TTullio]

Thanks guys for the quick response

Service guy said "I've never heard of a VP-44, I'll have to ask one of the mechanics". Is there a way to test one? Thanks again, Tim

 

[EGaskamp]

Could that be the APPS? The dead pedal sounded like that could be a problem. I'm not really sure. Just thought I'd through it out there. Hope it's not the VP! Good luck.



Eric

 

[Jeff Knight]

Tim,



If the service guy never heard of the VP44 I'd take my truck somewhere else. Thats the kind of injector pump on your truck.



Jeff

 

[sp_longhorn]

My truck had same problems changed apps, made no difference. No doubt sound like a bad vp. .

 

[TWhetten]

Do the off,on three times test and hope a 0216 doesn,t pop up. My truck was doing exactly what you described yours is doing, it was my injection pump. good luck

 

[Reb.B]

It the VP 44. If it was the Map sensor then it would cut out totally like it is going to fall on its face. If its just cruising along or if you are towing, or going up a hill and you just lose power and it steadily goes down then the advance is burn't in the pump. If it was the APPS then it would lose all power and go down to an idle while driving in town.

 

[TTullio]

Well, you guys were right. It was the VP44. The dealer did absolutely nothing to help find the problem. When I went to pick up the truck, they said there were no codes they could find. The guy brought the truck around and I asked him to stay there while I checked for codes myself with the ignition. I cycled it and sure enough there was the code. I had him get the mechanic back out there with his reader and out of the blue there is was! I raised HELL big time. Anyhow, there putting in a new one and I'll have the truck back probably Tuesday. Going to find a different dealer after this episode. I'm going to call the GM of the dealership and complain too. Again, thanks to all you guys for the help. As I mentioned, I have the Gold Ram Warranty so the whole job is only going to cost $49. Tim

 

[Reb.B]

make sure they check fuel pressure on a load at wide open throttle as well. Your lift pump is probably bad as well and now is the time to get them both changed.

 

[TTullio]

Well, I'm not totally fixed yet! The Dodge dealership that was putting in the VP44 called and told me that the wiring harness to the VP44 had been spliced into which voids the warranty. I bought the truck used from a Dodge dealership about 2 hours from here. I called them up and explained the problem, they asked me to bring the truck there and they would fix it. So, I drive there, they give me a loaner truck and a few days later they call and say it's fixed. But... they didn't replace the VP44 they replaced the turbo (yep the whole thing) and the lift pump. They said both of those were bad and the truck is running perfect now with no codes! They said they found the splice in the wiring to the VP44 and "fixed" it so it's now "legal" and under warranty. WTF? Can this happen? Can it code a 0216 both to me and the technician at the first dealership and not again to another dealership? I'm grateful for the new turbo and lift pump but am I getting scamed? Should I brind it to another dealership and have them check again to see if the wiring harness is OK? Thanks, Tim

 

[klaybus]

Is there an UPDATE?

Have you heard anything yet? Curious minds wanna know... .



Clay

 

[MSola]

AHHHH! I think it happened to me!

I'm curious what you guys can help me with. I was driving my truck this morning and it died all of a sudden. I tried starting it and it wouldn't start. Checked the shrader valves and drain for fuel and I had nothing. I called a tow truck and they cranked on it for about 30 seconds and it started. Now it will only idle. Any other position of the throttle will only make it run extremely eratic with no power to move. I checked for codes and got P0252 twice, P0251 twice, p1688 twice and P1689 once. I don't have the definitions for these codes but I have reason to believe that it's my pump after reading this thread. Any advice guys? Oh, it's all stock accept for 4" turbo back. Thanks.