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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) What other problems can I expect?

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Bought my first Cummins in January. It's a '99 crew cab, long bed, 4X4. I have not done any performance upgrades to the truck. Since January I have had to do a complete brake job (rotors, pads, shoes, rear brake cylinder, and wheel seal). Needle bearing in transmission broke, shattering transmission, VB, and TC. Had a transmission company in Lebanon, recommended by Suncoast, do a complete rebuild with a Suncoast TC and upgraded VB. Got the truck back from the transmission shop and had to take it to a Chrysler dealer to have ECM updated to correct shifting problems with new equipment. That was the beginning of last month. Yesterday the check engine light came on. Took it to my mechanic and connected it to his computer. Received an error code P0238. The mechanic told me to take it to a Chrysler dealership because he does not have the advanced computer systems the dealership does. But, that it could be either the MAP sensor (which has been real interesting finding, the dealer tried to sell me the wrong part) or the ECM.

I guess, in a round about way, I am asking if there is anything else that I can expect to go wrong with this truck? Am I better off repairing the problem after all that I have done to it? Or should I cut my losses and move on?

Only after I purchased the truck I found out that it had been used to haul a street rod to car shows in the summer, and as a plow truck in the winter. The dealer I purchased it from is more than shady (Car Village - Lebanon, PA).
 
Some people have had to replace the lift pump, sometimes more than once. Others, the VP44 fuel injection pump after/because of bad lift pump that had low pressure. Not everyone has had those problems.



As far as keeping, that is up to you. Just change all the fluids if you haven't yet since buying the truck.
 
plow truck

OUCH!!-befor i bought mine i was checking the dealer quite often-i see they had just got a deisel in,looked in the bed -yup pulled a fiver---when it was out on the lot --after a good cleanin and a brand new BEDLINER!!-if you don,t ask and they know-isn`t there some law against this!!!!!:-{}
 
Well I would say that you inherrited some problems from the previous owner so if you can see your way to get through this "little bump in the road" you may have an other wise nice truck. I didn't see how many miles on it? but plowing is hard on trannies and brakes even with a good operator. Check the fuel pressure as soon as you can to see if that may also indicate some higher chances of VP failure. Good Luck



Craig
 
118K Problem ended up being the MAP or Boost sensor. How do I check the fuel pressure? Newbie to all this, but definitely getting an education. Thanks TDR!
 
First off get a 0 to 20 lbs gauge then look at the top of the fuel filter housing(it is on the Drivers side mounted to head just forward of the cab) there are two plugs one prefilter and one post filter remove one and screw in the gauge then bump the ignition over to engage the starter but for a breif second but not start engine. Watch the gauge for the pressure you should see with truck off around 10psi or more if less there is a problem witch could be pluged fuel filter or bad lift pump you should also hear the pump buzzing.



Craig
 
Fuel pressure test ports.

Just FYI. The test port nearest the cab on top of fuel filter base is pre-filter. The test port nearest the truck front end on top of fuel filter base is post-filter. Much pressure difference between pre and post test ports can indicate a stopped up filter. Some guys run two senders (one pre and one post filter) and use one gauge with a toggle on it to check pre and post pressures.



I would recommend that you install a permanent Fuel pressure gauge in the truck. I have one and no regrets. Some say it is mandatory for the 24 valve trucks. I am just sorry I waited so long.
 
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