My Dad bought a non running 1992 Ram 250 diesel. The previous owner claims it was running and just quit while going down the road.

The PO put a lift pump on it, thinking that it was the problem. It was not the problem.

We confirmed the inj pump is getting 12 volts to the fuel solenoid upon turning the ignition, but we are unable to hear the solenoid click when we apply 12 volts. My fathers 91 Dodge makes a noticeable clicking sound when energizing the solenoid.

Is it possible to remove the internals from the fuel shutoff solenoid, in order to start the truck? It seems I would have to choke the engine at the turbo to shut it off, once running.

 

You can shut off the engine using the lever on the IP, you'll see it if you look. Lots of guys have "gutted the FSS" as you mention and can chime in with details

 

I believe there is a write up in the sticky as far as installing a cable shut off. If I'm not mistaken they gut the fuel shut off solenoid and put the cable on. I also know that you can get a fuel shut off solenoid for a VW which is fairly cheap and it will work in our applications and I think there is a part number for that solenoid in the sticky.

 

yes, this happened to me. the fss was junk so i just removed the plunger. install a cable as stated above. easy fix! someone will post a diagram for you or i think it was even in the sticky

 

yup, it's in the sticky. i had to gut mine. was driving down the road as engine just quit. had me scratching my head and stressed out for a week. gutted the FSS after reading the sticky section (took about 15 min., yes it's easier to remove if you cut the injector pump mounting bracket) installed a cable to manually cut off fuel supply and off i went. easy breezy

 

Well it turns out the solenoid was already gutted. The PO may have tried to troubleshoot the problem, and not told us. I will take a look at that shut off lever and make sure it is all the way counterclockwise, to start.

We checked the lift pump and it was pumping fuel. When we turn the engine over with an injector line loose, nothing comes out of the line.

Also, the fuel in the pump smells like gasoline. I know what diesel smells like. Will gasoline destroy a pump? Lack of lubrication? If it does turn out to be gas, what is the best way to get it out of the pump?

When pumps go bad, do they sometimes just stop pumping fuel altogether, or will they develop a leak first? Has anyone rebuilt a VE pump? I rebuilt the pump on my VW rabbit, with all new seals and it worked for thousands of more miles, but then again, no metal parts were worn, just bad seals.

Thanks for the advice.

 

auto parts stores sell the shutoff solenoid

 

If there is gas in the pump and you are not getting anything from the injectors I would say a bad injector pump. Probably scored the piston pretty bad and it won't make any pressure, heck might have even froze the piston and its not even moving!

 

Hope you didn't pay too much for the truck. It is certainly possible to rebuild the pump. There are a number of members on here who have. Do a search on it and I'm sure you'll come up with all sorts of threads.
To answer your question, yes the pump needs the lubricity diesel provides to keep the seals good.

 

Take some of the questionable fuel out of the truck, pour a little bit on the sidewalk and try to light it. If it lights and will support a good flame, there's gas in it. If it won't light, or if a weak flame struggles and goes out, it's just diesel.

 

This is a good point and triggered a memory, (I know, freaked me out too! .) Old diesel smells like varnish or lacquer. If that's the case, it won't fire, even if you try a shot of ether. You gotta drain the tank and change the filter at the least, clean the lines/injectors/pump worst case.

 

I plan on pulling the pump off, and carefully disassembling to find out why it will not pump. Does anyone have a source on a rebuild manual, or good intruction on doing so?

Thanks

 

if you have not done it before i would try to open the fuel lines and prime the system to be sure that there is fuel getting to the injectors as you said already there is not.

by filling the new fuel filter with new diesel from the station, turning it over with the fuel lines cracked to let air out, and then as a last resort WISP ether (starting fluid) into the air intake ...While the Engine is Turning over!!. This got mine started after my pump rebuild which of course introduced a lot of air into the pump and lines.
then while it is running rough tighten the fuel lines one at a time.

search for "priming the fuel system"

worth a shot before taking the IP off and breaking/losing/reassembling wrong