Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Vp44 ??????

[poolguy]

Hello all,

I am having difficulty starting my 01 3500 only when warm. Starts up fine in the morning or after sitting for a couple of hours, but if you turn it off, you better be ready to sit for a while. I can hear the lift pump when I turn the key on. I am guessing the vp44 but really don't want to believe it is true .

Any suggestions on where to get a good price on one? Thanks,

Rob

 

[RJPotts]

How many miles on the truck?

If its under 100,000 its free, take it to a dealer.

If not I would say look on e-bay, there was another thread I read here recently where someone purchased one for somewhere in the $975 range. That's the cheapest I've seen.

Have you checked for codes or anything?

-R. J.

 

[rkressg]

Check for codes (ignition on, off, on, off, on and do not start). A p0216, p1688, or p1689 indicate a failing VP44. Also, on the older pumps, if you have more than 3psi fuel pressure while trying to start can cause a 'hard start' condition. But, hard starting while warm is usually an indication of a failing pump.



If you are out of warranty, changing a pump yourself is about a 3hr job and requires few tools. You can usually pick them up from Cummins for around $1500, Dodge for $2300. If you have to buy one, I would check out www.cumminsstuff.com. They have about the best prices around.



I would strongly suggest a fuels system upgrade such as a FASS or a FASS-2. You can also install a RASP, but for your truck and mods, it is much more than you need (and way much more work to install than the aforementioned systems).



Let us know what codes you have.

-Rich

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

No mention of guages, or fuel PSI?



Just because you can hear the LP run doesn't mean it's actually PUMPING anything!



Proper GUAGES are ALWAYS the place to start when monitoring, or trying to diagnose fuel system problems...

 

[poolguy]

truck has 168K and no gauges. Has a miss at idle and a noticeable miss at around 50 mph when in od and just maintaining speed. Has plenty of power when accelerating or pulling. Truck is getting a little body work done now and is in shop but will get back Mon. Will check for codes then and let you know.

 

[kscotay]

If it's the VP44, I just had mine replaced last week, after breaking down in WY, and having my Dodge towed into Salt Lake City. Injection Services in Salt Lake City, UT has them for $950. They are a Bosch authorized facility and I'm happy with my replacement... now have 1000 miles on it. Their core charge is $400, but they do pull the bad pump apart and verify it's rebuildable. The person I talked to who is the VP44 expert is Clint. I don't believe that anyone should just buy on price, but I was pleased that they are listed in the yellow pages under fuel injection - Bosch, and they had them available from stock.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"If it's the VP44, I just had mine replaced last week, after breaking down in WY, and having my Dodge towed into Salt Lake City. Injection Services in Salt Lake City, UT has them for $950. They are a Bosch authorized facility and I'm happy with my replacement... "



Do you have any idea as to whether they replace the electronics as well as the mechanical portions of the pump? I'm sorta trying to determine whether rebuilds are typically repaired mechanically, but leave the buyer with the same old electronics that may have LOTS of miles/hours on them, with a potential old-age failure just around the corner...

 

[R-N-R]

I don't know for sure, but they did tell me that they receive a lot of cores back with cracked circuit boards. This leads me to think that they at least inspect, and most likely have the capability to replace electronics. However this does not necessarily mean that they replace them as part of their standard rebuild.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

For my part, especially since the boards are apparently ONLY available to certified rebuilders, I'd prefer if necessary to pay extra to be SURE a new "latest and greatest" replacement board was installed. Same goes for other electronic/mechaniacal parts, like fuel solenoids...



Over the years, I've lost count of very nice electronics stuff I've had to toss on the scrap-heap, just because of failure of some obscure 10 cent proprietary (unobtanium!) electronic component...



Maybe that's partly why I'm a bit paranoid on the issue. :-laf

 

[kscotay]

The Bosch authorized remanufaturer that I got my VP44 from is:



Industrial Injection Services

1201 S 700 W

Salt Lake City, UT

801-972-0476 (Clint)





I don't know if they replace the electronics in the pump, They are listed in the Yellow Pages under fuel injection, and they had them in stock, at the best price. I figure that if they are remanufacturing them, and if the pump electronics are questionable, they would replace them, as they would have access to any of the Bosch OEM parts. Most rebuilding places don't like them to come back under warranty.



When I first called them in the morning, they said to talk to Clint. I then called Hinckely Dodge, who quoted me $2000 for the Mopar pump, and $300 to install. I called Industrial Injection Services back and talked to Clint, who said that they install these, but he was backed up for 2 days in the service department. He called Hinckely Dodge, delivered the VP44 directly to them, and arranged for Hinckely Dodge to pull the pump and get it back to him, saving me the $400 core charge.



I'm pleased with the pump, the installation charge by Hinckely, and want to find a core VP44 that I can get exchanged and carry in my truck. I'm now set up with a fuel pressure gauge, in addition to turbo boost and EGT gauges, and already carry a Cummins Lift Pump (p/n 3990082 which comes with the cable for Dodge installations), 2 Fleetguard fuel filters and a Fleetguard oil filter.

I also carry the tools that I could change any of these, without being beholden to deal with a diesel service center.



I'm running a Van Aaken module, and my truck seems to be happy again. Oo.

 

[R-N-R]

You did very good getting hooked up with IIS, they are highly recommended by numerous veterans here on TDR. Of course I am also biased as I purchased my replacement pump from them as well

 

[rodneync]

Check out TSB 18-015-00 Rev A which discusses reprogramming the ECM.



My truck has exactly the same problem and if you do a search, you will find a common thread with second and third gen trucks (my observation). My next step is to contact the dealer and see if I have the most recent version of ECM software.

 

[poolguy]

Hi guys,

got my truck back and checked for codes and there weren't any. I cracked each injection line and each had fuel flow and each injector was hitting. I still have a miss especially at idle and in overdrive at low rpm's and the hard start is there when hot. Guess I will take it to the Cummins shop and let them diagnose. Will keep posting and let you knowwhat it turns out to be. Rob

 

[poolguy]

Decided totry one more thing. I disconnected the power puck and it has cranked fineever since. Does anyone know if they have a lifetime warranty?

 

[rodneync]

I have not made it to the dealer for the ECM upgrade so I don't have any news about that.



Exactly what did you unplug?

 

[poolguy]

It is a power puck... ... ... ... a chip much like the edge chip.