Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Zero Fuel pressure?

[KMahnke]

Hello All. First post here. I've been lurking for quite some time now and have a question concerning my son's 2001 Cummins Ram that I cant seem to find an answer for when I Search. The truck is a '01 longbed Ram, 2WD Auto. Only mods to date are a 4" exhaust and Autometer Fuel Pressure Guage with Isolator. The truck runs and starts just fine but coughs at times under wide open throttle conditions. Well after reading so many posts about dead lift pumps we decided to install the mechanical guage to keep an eye on things. (the truck has 54K mi. ) I used a ported Banjo fitting from Geno's to tap the -4 AN fitting to the VP 44 inlet and proceeded to attempt to purge/prime the fuel line and isolator via the bump the key method. Heard relays clicking but did not hear the lift pump kick on. Also had no fuel come to the isolator purge port. Made several futile attempts to purge and eventually wound up getting air in the VP 44. (truck started and died a few seconds later). Well---I got creative and used an old manual vacuum pump connected to the purge port with some clear tubing and pulled some fuel to the Isolator. After closing off the port and cracking the #1 injector line the truck started and ran rough at first but smoothed out a few minutes later. Check engine light is now on and several codes have been generated.



P PCU

P 1693



P ECU

P 1689

P 0230



Also the fuel pressure guage is reading ZERO! I naturally suspect the guage but the fact that I couldn't purge the fuel line at the isolator with the truck running makes me think the lift pump has taken a dump. Would the truck even run with 0 pressure???



I had no trouble pulling fuel with the Vac Pump so that eliminates clogged lines etc.



The truck runs and drives just like it did before this little incident.



Any ideas, Help would be greatly appreciated. Personally I'm leaning toward a FASS system but thats a good chunk of change to replace a pump thats still under warranty.



Kirk

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Welcome!!

That's the time people usually find that their lift pump has allready taken the pine box nap. Theese trucks will run with 0 inlet pressure however for how long ... . I would not drive it until you get your hands on either a new LP or go with the fass like you allready have looked at.



Good luck!

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

BTW:



P0230 Transfer Pump (Lift Pump) Circuit

Out of Range

Problem detected in fuel transfer pump circuits.





UGLY but more likely you may have checked the VP44 connection with the key on??



P1689 (M) No Communication Between ECM

and Injection Pump Module

Data link circuit failure between ECM and fuel injection

pump. Low power, engine derated, or engine stops.

 

[KMahnke]

Tool Man. You got it! Sort of--pulled the relay and son turned the ignition on.



Thanks for the help



Kirk