Watch out for you transfer pump on the 600's

[TX Gooseneck]

I was on my way back from Seattle on Thursday and the truck started acting funny. I was stopped idling and the truck died. No signs, no hard start, just died. Ran fine after restart. I was heading east on 90 and stopped to fuel up just outside of Spokane and as I pull into the truck stop the truck dies again. I fuel up and it took 6-7 times before it finally cranked. Drive to the exit to hop back on the highway and it dies again. Fired right up and I was on my way. Stopped when I got to Montana, truck started fine and I attempt to merge on the highway when everything died, no power whatsoever. I pulled off and attempted to start it several times to no success. I waited approx. 30 min. and tried again. It would start, run for literally a second and then die. Finally came to life with a roar and puked black smoke out. I drove the rest of the night and stopped in Bozeman.



Next morning, everything is running fine, truck runs strong, mileage is good, etc. I pass Billings and begin to take the long hill on 90 going east and it dies in the middle of me passing a long line of semis. I get over on the shoulder and same situation. Crank, start, die. I could get it to run long enough that I thought all was well and then it would die. Had to be towed into the dealership (Lithia in Billings) THANK GOD they had a transfer pump there for another guy or I would have been stuck until next thursday.



It's a cheap plastic piece that hit me very similar to the TPS sensor on the 1st gens. The entire situation is frustrating. This part is listed as a 'Star part' so the dealers are not allowed to stock them and have to order them on a vin# basis. My truck and FOUR other 04 600's were there with the same problem. Only when I got Chrysler involved did the dealer agree to do, but I had to pay for the part and now am in a situation where I have to fight with Chrysler to get my money back as the truck is still in warranty BUT the piece was bought from the cummins dealer so I had to pay for it. This restriction on parts is unexcusable. How can a manufacturer offer a product, expect the dealership to fix it and then not supply the parts to the dealer? I completely understand the dealers frustration with this. They are in the middle and in the position to get screamed at by both the customer and Chrysler. AND THEIR HANDS ARE COMPLETELY TIED!!!



The guys at Lithia really jumped through everything to get me on the road, so for that I am extremely grateful. My truck was towed in at 2:30pm and I was on the road again by 6:30 that night. Pretty phenominal turn around - plus an oil change.



Anyway, just watch out for this pump on the 600's. The cummins tech thinks that the junk in the fuel is too much for this pump.



Montana rocks

 

[MCornwell]

Im surprised we havent heard of even more lift pump failures..... the little



pump looks like something outta a Cereal box. :{



I just hope whats on the inside is worth something. .



Im about to weld a 50 gallon tank ontop of my truck and nix the lifter... (alittle extreme but would work). :-laf



-Mitch

 

[swexlin]

This part is listed as a 'Star part' so the dealers are not allowed to stock them and have to order them on a vin# basis

What is a "Star Part", why are some parts designated as such, and why aren't dealers "allowed" to stock them?



Any dealership employees on here want to clue us in? Tomeygun?

 

[hagar]

boy did you get lucky, it took almost 3 weeks to get one for one of our trucks stuck in nevada.

 

[TX Gooseneck]

I know, had they not had the pump I would have been stuck until Thursday.



Swexlin, A star part is a spendy part that DC doesn't want some wrench turner that has no clue what he is doing throwing it on there without diagnosing it first. Problem is, the dealership runs the diagnostics, figures out the problem and then has to wait a week for the fix to arrive, which is TOTAL BS. I wrote a letter to the GM of Lithia stating my discontent that they couldn't get parts, which will be forwarded on to DC. For a small business like mine, if I'm out a week it throws a major kink into things. I'm assuming that the majority of diesel buyers are in a similar situation. If they won't source the parts, are they going to source the lost income? I doubt it.



When it comes time to buy the next truck, I suppose the availability of weak parts will be a huge decision in which direction I go.



Not sure if it's a star part or a dealer failure, but my lumbar support has been broken for 4 months now and they still can't get the proper seat back in

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Diesel Dynamics has a kit to replace the plastic pump with a real unit that mounts on the frame. I saw my fuel pressure drop to zero immediately on applying pedal with the True Torque box (similar to the Edge EZ) and the stock plastic lift pump. The DD pump took care of that problem.

 

[barbwire]

Diesel Dynamics has a kit to replace the plastic pump with a real unit that mounts on the frame. I saw my fuel pressure drop to zero immediately on applying pedal with the True Torque box (similar to the Edge EZ) and the stock plastic lift pump. The DD pump took care of that problem.

So, what kind of coin are we talking for the DD pump? IYDMMA ( if you don't mind my asking)

 

[sschu600]

For a small business like mine, if I'm out a week it throws a major kink into things. I'm assuming that the majority of diesel buyers are in a similar situation. If they won't source the parts, are they going to source the lost income? I doubt it.

I understand what you are saying. 6th gear synchro went out on my truck two weeks ago. It's been at the dealership since last Sunday(9/19/04). I was out of town Monday thru Thursday and needed the truck for work on Friday. The truck is still in the shop and will be until at least Monday. All the while I need transportation in the form of a truck. The dealership doesn't rent out trucks. The best solution was for the dealership to rent from Enterprise. Well, a truck costs $40 per day and all the dealership has to pay is $30 per day. Leaves me with $10 per day to cover out of my pocket while some tech tries to fix my truck. This does not seem fair to me. BTW, he is waiting on shims to arrive Monday morning. Crazy.



Back to the subject, Maybe a F. A. S. S. system would be worth looking into. I understand the product is very reliable. I know, it is the principal of the thing. This is just another case where automobile manufacturers care more about the manufacturing process and the bottom line than a quality product.



I would gladly pay more for a superior product.

 

[Blakers]

Is this the same lift pump as is on the 03's or is the 600 different?

Thanks,

Blake

 

[GWoody]

How many miles were on the truck when the pump quit?

 

[SOLER]

I'd like to know this answer, as well.



SOLER

Is this the same lift pump as is on the 03's or is the 600 different?

Thanks,

Blake

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Blake, that's a good questions, I'll try to find out.



The truck hit 89,213 miles - exactly when it went out. As far as I know, I'm the highest mileage 600, so I'm sure I'll be encountering problems ahead of most people on here.



Who caries a F. A. S. S system for these trucks? What does it do? (not familar with it at all) I too would gladly spend an extra $20 for a superior part. The one they took off was junk. Transfer Pumps by tupperware.

 

[tschwab]

Wonder if it is a different lift pump in the '05's? Didn't they move the lift pump to inside the tank for the 05's?