Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Won't Start - Dead Pedal History & bad codes

[John - K5AWO]

Okay guys, I feel I know the answer, but I don't want to hear it :-{}

For more than a year now I have been getting intermittent Dead Pedal Syndrome. It seemed to only occur when the ambient temperatures were running over 75-80 degrees. Was really aggravating last summer here in the Phoenix area. Pedal would go dead. Let off throttle and coast, maybe it would work, maybe not. Full throttle held down would always work after about 5 seconds, it would take off and be okay for a while.

Then about a month ago, went out to start it up and it won't fire up. Backed off 3 injector lines and it spewed forth fuel and eventually started and all is well again. Then the temps climbed above 70 again and here we go, the DPS again, or DDP as some call it. (Dreaded Dead Pedal)

All last week, no issues until last night. Won't start again. This time no fuel spewed out the injector lines when I backed them off.

Pulled two codes out of it, P0216 and P1693. The 1693 isn't in my code reader book. I've got the codes stored on my computer somewhere but I can't find them.

The lift pump as been a solid 15 psi all the time. . It never varies for than a pound or two, and only drops to about 11-12 psi on a hard pull.

So, tell me it is the APPS sensor please and not the VP-44. I can't afford one of those things right now.

 

[SnoKing]

Okay guys, I feel I know the answer, but I don't want to hear it :-{}



For more than a year now I have been getting intermittent Dead Pedal Syndrome. It seemed to only occur when the ambient temperatures were running over 75-80 degrees. Was really aggravating last summer here in the Phoenix area. Pedal would go dead. Let off throttle and coast, maybe it would work, maybe not. Full throttle held down would always work after about 5 seconds, it would take off and be okay for a while.



Then about a month ago, went out to start it up and it won't fire up. Backed off 3 injector lines and it spewed forth fuel and eventually started and all is well again. Then the temps climbed above 70 again and here we go, the DPS again, or DDP as some call it. (Dreaded Dead Pedal)



All last week, no issues until last night. Won't start again. This time no fuel spewed out the injector lines when I backed them off.



Pulled two codes out of it, P0216 and P1693. The 1693 isn't in my code reader book. I've got the codes stored on my computer somewhere but I can't find them.



The lift pump as been a solid 15 psi all the time. . It never varies for than a pound or two, and only drops to about 11-12 psi on a hard pull.



So, tell me it is the APPS sensor please and not the VP-44. I can't afford one of those things right now.

1693 means there is a code set in the companion module (PCM). 216 is a dead VP44. SNOKING

 

[FourBarR]

0216 code dead vp-44. the electronic board in the injection pump are destroyed by heat. it has been reported on this board that d/c says when no start hot to throw cold water on pump to cool and if it starts vp-44 fore sure. I believe the 0216 code is always correct in reporting bad pump. my 2 cts.

 

[ProspectorTim]

If it "won't start" and the truck is at home in your garage, consider yourself lucky.
You don't need to have it towed home.

Bookmark, read and digest these threads:
testing the VP44

Modifying fuel system so temperature input to VP44, 80* - 100*, your inputs. <O</O

When I first experienced the dead pedal last August, it was HOT and I was towing a small utility trailer thru the mountains on I-81 heading out of TN into VA.
I think, every time it happened I was going uphill and passing someone.
A few days later, going the other directioin with the EMTPY trailer it started doing it again and more often. I driving and thinking about it, and realized that in every instance, the fuel tank was below 1/2. The next time it happened I stopped at the first truck stop I came to and filled it up; then I floored it on the uphill on-ramp getting back on the interstate. NO dead pedal! The rest of the trip home, I kep the tank above 1/2 full, and had no more problems.

About a month later I made a trip to New Orleans. Again, it was HOT, and coming home with an S-10 blazer on the car trailer I had to keep the tank topped off to 3/4 full!

Since then I haven't had anymore dead pedal experiences, but then I haven't been out of town or hooked on to a trialer either. And the weather has been much cooler.

Sometime last summer, before the N. O. trip; I installed a new "campaign" lift pump along with a Vulcan big line and pump relocation kit. The lift pump is mounted to the frame now. Plus, I finally installed FP gauge! I had good fuel pressure every time I got the dead pedal.

I finally got a Smarty on the truck and found the dreaded injection pump codes.

I've cleared the codes, but they keep coming back. It is just a matter of time (and place) when the IP will fail. Meanwhile, I keep the tank full and stay close to home. For sure, I'll replace it before I make any long trips; but I should just go ahead and do it - While I can choose when & where I pull the pump.

Just a few days ago, I found those threads the I linked to above. It is all starting to make sense - that HEAT is the problem (it explains why I got dead pedal on a hot day, with good fuel pressure indicated). Those guys have gone to extremes to diagnose, test and research the IP problems; and in the last few posts they have refined their list of recommendations to keep the IP cool and hopefully increase the IP longevity.

 

[John - K5AWO]

In this particular case, the truck has been setting for several days and the ambient temp was about 45 degrees. So, temp was not the culprit (at this time), although it may very well have been what killed it over the years.

An interesting thing just happened... . I stopped while typing this message and went back out to the truck. Cleared the code in the ECM, switched the key off, then back on. Cranked it and the engine started. Locked down the injector lines and it is smooth as silk again.

This is a bit of a quandry. I don't want to spend money wastefully, but am wondering if the VP-44 is actually toast?

I noticed that while the codes were showing in the ECM, that the lift pump does not always start up?? That is strange. After the codes were cleared the lift pump started right up and that's when the engine started.

Thoughts??

 

[John - K5AWO]

ProspectorTim

Saw your post AFTER mine was submitted. I am going to go off now and read those threads you referenced. And it is "good" if you can call it that, that someone else is also experiencing the same failure and then magically have it start up again and run just fine.

I agree, failures in the home driveway are a lot cheaper than 200 miles from home. I don't relish getting in and changing out this VP, but am concerned that it might fail somewhere away from home.

I called a local shop that has a good rep around here and got a quote of $2200-$2500 to change out the IP and lift pump. WOW! No way can I afford that... ... .....

 

[dieselshu]

Code 0216 VP-44

I just suffered from the dead pedal issue over the last few weeks, spotted the 0216 code and new it was all over. I purchased a pump from Midwest Fuel Injection at $1046. 63 made me sick to my stomach but then again so would if the dead pedal occured in traffic during a turn and someone t bones me with my family in the truck. It only took a few hours to replace and I did the camshaft position sensor at the same time. I have had a fuel psi gauge installed since day one and have had good pressure. Hopefully this one will last longer than the first.



Dave:{