Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) VP44 failure symptoms

[JTHosler]

Smarty, VP44 failure symptoms

OK to start with I do have 0216 code, but I want to gain an understanding of what is happening. A couple weeks ago I received and downloaded the smarty, the trucks runs great to 70 mph then falls on its face with the dead pedal symptom. After a few trials it only does this when the smarty is on one of the timing programs. If I turn the comp on with smarty on even numbers or completely off I have no dead pedal symptoms on hard acceleration. Could the timing from the smarty be to much for a failing pump or is something else going on here?



Thanks in advance,

 

[PVanderlugt]

It would be intresting to see know how it works exactly, I got the 0216 code last week with all the usual symptoms, towing on #7, reloaded stock software and under the same conditions can not make it show a code or act up at all, in fact it runs and sound better then ever (at least for stock setting) I am thinking that if there is any kind of issue with the vp44 Smarty will maybe amplify it and show the problem sooner than a stock setting would. I think that running a Smarty would load the vp44 to it's limit as far as capability goes. with all that said I still love my Smarty, maybe even more so now. If a problem shows up on a # setting, and you can load stock setting and maybe a least limp home,

Pete

 

[rweis]

Our TDR club went to SouthEast Power Systems in Tampa and one of the specific questions was "what causes the 0216?"



Generally, it is the advance mechanisn not having enough fuel pressure or fuel volume to function properly, or it is gummed up with deposits hendering it from moving to exactely the precise positon called for. As I understand it. Of course it could also be due to internal component wear.



Might give some crediability to the concept of less timing required, the less likely hood there could be a timing problem (0216). ie the "no" timing settings of the Smarty.



I am not sure if the symptom is reversable and it may well not be, but if the timing demands were minimal then you might be able to get by to get it home as noted above.



Just a thought.



Bob Weis

 

[Bob Wagner]

weak vp44 always seem to fail when the ambient temperatures start to elevate

 

[rweis]

Does that increase of VP44 failures when ambient temperatures start to elevate give any crediability to the concept of cool fuel?



Bob Weis

 

[J.Post]

My fuel pressure gauge is starting to give me lower numbers than usual. I usually run at 12-13 psi cruising, 10 wot, and 16 at idle. It still gives me 16 at idle and varies from 8-12 under cruise and as low as 5 wot but rarely this low.

I'm also getting a 216 code. I'm not having any drivability problems.

Could my 216 code be related to the transfer pump and its erractic readings or is my injection pump going?

 

[Bob Wagner]

216 means the pump is on its way out. The 216 code can get set many times

 

[J.Post]

216 means the pump is on its way out. The 216 code can get set many times

I'm running a Edge comp box w/o the blue wire tap. Would this set the code?

How can you find out if the engine is still under warranty?

 

[Bob Wagner]

yes, you can get the 216 w/o a wire tap. do you run a fp gauge? low flow will kill the pump too.



5yr/100K is the engine warranty

 

[J.Post]

yes, you can get the 216 w/o a wire tap. do you run a fp gauge? low flow will kill the pump too.



5yr/100K is the engine warranty

I've been running the fp guauge for over a year now w/ great pressures. Recently they have been a bit erratic. But within the acceptable ranges. Never below 5psi and rarely at 5. Mostly around 10 to 12 when cruising. 16 at idle. Sometimes down to 8 under WOT throttle. I've been keeping my eye on it and was going to first replace the fuel filter and if that yeilded no results I was going to replace the lift pump.



I did switch the batteries temporarely from my 05' to see if my existing batteries were causing my erractic transmission out of OD problem. That set a check engine light and some codes. Can't remember the codes though. I switched them back and no check engine light.

Is it possible that the batteries from the 05' could have triggered this 216 code? I don't know why I got a check engine light from the 05' batteries except that they didn't fit in the trays very well and didn't sit on the temp sensor.



Can I call the dealer w/ the VIN to see if it's still under warranty. What about a local Cummins shop?

 

[Bob Wagner]

yes, the dealer can. cummins does not do warranty work for dodge