Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Van aaken Chip?? Help

[turbo606]

So my Dad has a 2001 CTD. Has a 6 speed standard trans. He has owned the truck since new. He has had a Vanaaken chip in it for the last 6 years with no troubles. I have done valve sets, lift pumps and all the servicing on the truck since it's been off of warranty. It has 308000km on it. The last month he got the dreaded death code and the truck hesitated during accleration and when cold and idling up when cold the exhaust was very strong and burned your eyes. So I unplugged the chip and cleared the codes to see if it solved the running rough and poor idling when cold. The truck seems to run better. So is it possible to have a chip through the death code and make the truck run poor?? The code hasn't returned yet since unplugging the chip but he hasn't drove it very far yet. He is to affraid to in case the VP44 is weak and leaves him on the side of the road. Any input would be great. Also he has had a low fuel light in it since new and the truck has not seen fuel pressure below 5psi. No other mods to the truck and is no driven

 

[JLandry]

Hi,

I can't answer your questions regarding the particular performance chip you're using, but if by "death code" you mean the P0215 or PD0216 DTC's, then yes, these codes can occur intermittently for a period of time before the VP44 finally gives out altogether. Unfortunately it could fail suddenly, completely, and without warning, or it could last many months and give plenty of warning with more hisitation or an occasional dead pedal.

It would be a good idea to test the fuel pressure just to rule that out as a possible cause. Sometimes those low fuel pressure light sending units do fail.

If the fuel pressure checks out, then the VP44 might be living on borrowed time. With that many kilometers on it, I'd go ahead and replace it now before it leaves someone stranded.

Good luck,

John L.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Usually if you get rich-smelling diesel exhaust odor the VP44 is nearing the end.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I also have the Van Aaken module (just plugs into VP44 harness) and had the same symptoms you are describing.

I put up with it for more than a year and 10,000 miles. The VP44 has issues that from my research seem to indicate that the electronic module in the VP44 has gone bad. The upside is that it does not just seem to die a stone cold death, it is just a PITA until you decide to fork over the money to put in an updated VP44.

Did not matter if the Van Aaken was in use, or if it was pulled. Put it back in, he needs the boost that it provides.

When convenient, order up a new VP44 from Blue Chip or Industrial.