Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Uh Oh, truck wouldn't go over 10 mph !

[damon]

I started the truck in a parking lot today and after about 30 seconds had to shut it off since someone was trying to yell something from across the way. Restarted normal and idled out of the parking lot, but when I tried to accelerate onto the road the truck would not gain any rpm or go over about 10 mph. No missing or noises, just wouldn't go.



I pulled over, worried about my vp44, and threw out a few choice words, then shut her down and restarted (all within 30 seconds or so) and everything seemed fine for the 60 mile trip home.



I have seen the 1963 and 0216 codes in the past. Although they've been gone for a few months, the check engine light came on yesterday and I haven't checked the new codes yet. Just assumed they were the same codes that never seemed to amount to anything and the truck always ran great.



Any ideas on this one ?

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

Maybe the APPS. Do a search on it.



Dan

 

[Sticks]

Pull your codes and let us know.



It could be the APPS, or the truck went into limp mode for some reason.

 

[damon]

same code as always - 1 instance of the P0216 but this time without the P1963 companion code.

 

[damon]

more strange behavior

I still haven't seen another instance of the limp mode type of behavior, but got something new this morning.



I was coasting down a big hill for about 2 minutes at around 70 mph, and when I pressed the gas pedal, the truck would not respond for a few seconds - maybe 2 to 4 seconds before I felt anything.



From what I've read on the forum, at this point I am hoping for a APPS, and not a VP44 problem. I had to book an appointment with the local dealers diesel tech for a week from now. Hope it makes it till then.

 

[Sticks]

Now it's starting to sound like a VP44 issue. Been there, done that.

 

[SEmerson]

that is how my secound vp44 started going out.

 

[damon]

Here we go !



I took the truck to the dealer today, and the tech derived that the vp44 is bad, or going, and needs to be replaced. When he called DC to order the pump, they said they would not let him order it, with no explanation to say why he couldn't, and that's the word that the service writer passed on to me. He also suggested that I call DC customer care myself.



I think I remember reading about situations like this, and at this point I am waiting for a call back from the service manager who I insisted follow up with DC. This should not be put on the customers shoulders to follow up !

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by damon

Here we go !



I took the truck to the dealer today, and the tech derived that the vp44 is bad, or going, and needs to be replaced. When he called DC to order the pump, they said they would not let him order it, with no explanation to say why he couldn't, and that's the word that the service writer passed on to me. He also suggested that I call DC customer care myself.



I think I remember reading about situations like this, and at this point I am waiting for a call back from the service manager who I insisted follow up with DC. This should not be put on the customers shoulders to follow up !

Hell no you should have to do it. That is their job, wspecially when it is under warranty... It is under warranty right?



Find another dealer if they do not want to get the pump taken care of for you.

 

[damon]

I'm 40k into the 100k warranty... . crossing the fingers at this point !

 

[Ajwalls]

My fuel transfer pump (vp44) went out Easter Sunday at 47,500 miles. Had Dealership replace it, no questions asked. I had fuel pressure between 0-4 psi on my guage. Dealership in New Mexico, Malloy Dodge, great people. Do not understand your dealership problem, your truck should be under warranty, fight them. Good luck.





2001, 4X4, Patriot Blue, quad cab, 3- guage (autometer) piller post (EGT, TB, transmission temp,) Fuel Pressure guage on steering column, 70 gal. Transfer flow tank, AFE Ram Air, Double Deep Tanny pan, 4" exhaust, BD Exhaust brake, with torque lock on transmission, Edge power chip.

 

[damon]

I certainly agree ajwalls.



However, the fuel transfer pump, aka lift pump, is a very different animal from the vp44, and a fraction of the cost. I've had the lift pump replaced under warranty while on vacation last year - same thing, no questions asked once the tech saw my FP guage on 0 psi.



The Bosch vp44 is considered a "controlled part" by DC, and they hesitate to replace the injector pump because it costs a lot and some guys are known to install mods that may stress them (nah, they wouldn't do that )



On the bright side, my dealer seems to be working for me, and has called the local DC rep to find out why they won't authorize the vp44 replacement when the tech found a hard error code and no mods.



Like I said, I am crossing my fingers, cause I've heard of guys getting screwed in this situation, and I don't really want to buy a $2000 pump that is under warranty. Of course if it came to that... put the gloves on - Round 1 !

 

[NKing]

I'm going thru the exact same thing right now. My truck had the same symptoms as yours, just a little worse. My check engine light would come on at low throttle on long trips, and then turn off for a while. It took 3 trips to the dealer, but they are finally replacing it. Just be persistant. If they dont want to change it this trip, then wait till it turns back on and go to the dealer again. Good luck

 

[damon]

It sure seems like there are a lot of these failing VP44's in the threads these days, on both bomb'ed and stock trucks, and many are the 01/02 models.



How many miles do you have in your truck NKing ?



I just turned over 40k, and the P0216 code started appearing at about 38k. It will be interesting to see if this is mileage related.

 

[damon]

new vp44 was installed yesterday, and the dealer installed a new lift pump while they were in there. I don't think it really needed it, as the new LP shows the same pressures as my old one, which was replaced in July - 15/12/8 psi.



Nice to see a $2000 dealer bill with NO CHARGE across the bottom !



thumbs up to my local dealer for working for me on this one.

 

[Renoram]

Glad to see your problem got taken care of. Not to change the subject, but my truck may be having the early stage symptoms of your problem. My fuel pressure is good at 12-14psi. . I may need to start monitoring my codes.



My question is regarding your code reader. What brand is it, where do you get it at the best price & how much does it cost?

 

[damon]

I bought the OBDII cable and software for my laptop - you'll find lots of references to it here on the TDR.



www.obd-2.com



It works well to check and clear codes, and you can monitor some other things and save the data of a trip and replay it. Kind of cool to have for a tech junkie, but I find that I don't use it very often. It's one of those tools that I'm glad I bought when I need it, like once or twice a year, and the rest of the days it's a $100 cable sitting in the desk.