Update for Idle enhancement

[BBurns]

Took my 2000 Dodge in Monday cause the check engine light came on going to work. Turns out the APPS was bad, had it replaced and while it was there they did the update for the idle enhancement. Picked it up yesterday, use to the lift pump would run for 5 - 6 seconds, now it may run for 1/2 second or not at all when you hit the key. Went back in and got "my" service advisor, told him I didn't hear the lift pump running. He says "With the update we did the computer knows whether the lift pump needs to run or not. " Is this a load of SH$%, or have any of you experienced the same? I asked him to check the lift pump and he said they couldn't, only when it fails can they diagnose it. This is the second Dodge dealer in my area I've dealt with and both seem to have the "I don't give a rats *** attitude". Sorry I had to vent... I'm better now... .

 

[Ray Torresdal]

diagnose lift pump

I can't believe they wouldn't check lift pump pressure for you - once it has failed the potential to leave you by the road, or take your injection pump with it increases. Put a fuel pressure gauge in just for the piece of mind, and you will also know when to worry about changing fuel filters. When I had the cold weather enhancement done it did NOT affect lift pump actuation. Ray

 

[Big Don]

I feel your pain on the lift pump. I had my '00 to the dealer due to low pressure. They basically checked it and said to run it till it fails then they would gladly tow it in and replace the pump. When I bought the truck I really wanted an early 98 quad cab so I could stay with the 12valve engine. This computer controlled elctronic diesel stuff is a bunch of crap.

I had the battery to go almast dead on my 89 and it would not start so I rolled it off and drove it home. Let's see you do that with a 24 valve truck.

I am tryin not to complain but I repair equipment for a living and it really bugs me to see someone run equipment to failure when they know their is a problem.



Good luck



later

Don

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by Big Don

I feel your pain on the lift pump. I had my '00 to the dealer due to low pressure. They basically checked it and said to run it till it fails then they would gladly tow it in and replace the pump. When I bought the truck I really wanted an early 98 quad cab so I could stay with the 12valve engine. This computer controlled elctronic diesel stuff is a bunch of crap.

I had the battery to go almast dead on my 89 and it would not start so I rolled it off and drove it home. Let's see you do that with a 24 valve truck.

I am tryin not to complain but I repair equipment for a living and it really bugs me to see someone run equipment to failure when they know their is a problem.



Good luck



later

Don

I can do it anytime I please.

I just roll backwards out of my driveway, and at 3-5MPH Pop the clutch in reverse (be sure to be in reverse before you start rolling) and WALLAH, Unless the traction is to low, or your clutch is to slippery to turn the motor over, you can get a good start with anything but a DEAD battery.



ABOUT THE LIFT PUMP



The shorter lift pump run time is not a load of BS. It is actually very reasonable... .

Many people have experianced hard starting with 24V engines when the Fuel Pressure is high, therefore Dodge/Cummins solution was to decrease the fuel priming time to allow easier starting.



With my old lift pump the pump would run about 3-4 seconds with just "key-on".

My new lift pump, and apperantly new software, now only runs maybe . 5 sec or less with "key-on".



There are a few people Here on TDR that can personally tell you about the slighlty increased starting time when the VP44 has high FP when cranking. (SteveSt. Laurent, and I think BigSaint are two that come to mind)



There is no reason to prime the VP44 for any considerable amount of time before the truck is running. Half a second is more than adequete to get the VP44 ready to crank, and 4-5 seconds is "overkill" or "excessive".



Hope this helps ya a little.

MerrickNJr



P. S. If you want cold hard facts don't look at me,, I can only tell you what I've seen what works, and what doesn't.

 

[BBurns]

It makes since the pump doesn't need to run as long, it just makes me a little uncomfortable hearing about all the lift pump failures and it use to run for 4 -5 seconds and now it may run for a 1/2 second or not. I was basically told the same thing as Don, run it 'til it stops then bring it back. It bothers me to pay this much for a truck and know one day, somewhere, some place, the lift pump is going to take a dump. Anyway, I know I'm not alone.