I've been doing a little reading on these forums and have noticed that whenever someone talks about pulling an 0216 code, people immediately jump to the conclusion that the VP44 is dying.

That's not necessarily so. An 0216 code with consistent low fuel pressure, a dead pedal, or a noticeable change in power through acceleration is a very good indication of a dying VP44. But the code itself can mean other things. The code can be set by a drop in fuel pressure to 5 psi or less for as little as 10 seconds - temporary fuel starvation, which happens with DC- or user-designed fuel systems. It can be set by a thermal spike in the electronics package when the engine has been shut down, but the ignition/electrical system is kept keyed-on. It can also be set by environmental factors that involve high energy electronic emissions - the IP's electronics are not well-shielded. I've seen all three cases on various trucks, including my own.

I'd hate to see people spend $1100-1900 without looking into the code further, when there's some chance that the IP still has many miles left on it.

 

Good post. A lot of things around here become gospel without being true. Just as a 0126 doesn't always mean a dead VP, neither does good FP guarantee a healthy VP.

jmo

 

OK: Got a code when I missed a shift, Hit 6th on a down shift to 4th,
Truck bucked and Quite for an instant before I got the clutch in..
I am running Smarty level 3, and it does surge on rough roads (
foot bouncing ) this may have occured at same time as I was in a back
country mountain road, ( I checked for codes several hours later after
shut down, assuming the "lurch/Quite" caused the code...
Previous code check was approx 3700 miles previous...

Truck has 70K original VP44

???? Code of death or ?????

 

What code did you get?? P0216??

 

After an episode like this, it's common to get codes. I found out about this when I was letting my wife drive my 6-speed and she was a little out of practice.

Usually, it's an APPS code, though sometimes you get 0216. In my case, the pump actually did die, albeit 10K later.

Justin

 

+1 on that

 

I wrote the P code down , but transposed the number:
BUT, the SMARTY said INJECTION PUMP TIMING FAILURE
Dodge book says P0216, code of death ? correct....

I will probably drive localy for awhile, but plan on changing pump anyway,
I would hate to have a dead pump in a remote area with the truck camper...

Trying to decide on best vender and if I should get a HP pump...

Don't want to lose fuel milage , and am satisified ( for now ) with the power,
Smarty on level 3...

 

Do you still have a factory lift pump??

 

I got the 0216 code when I got dead pedal. I had dead pedal 2x so far. Both times tho I was go ata slow but steady speed of about 40 mph. My truck starts with just a touch of the key, no smoke at start up, has good power, and no mileage loss. I still get the 0216 tho. So you are saying that it may not be my VP? I took the APPS apart and readjusted it . It was off and have it set on what it is suppose to be. I havnt had dead pedal since I did that but I havnt driven far either. Im a little scared to get more than 20 miles from home if its my VP. I need to be going to Shreveport in a couple of months and want to be sure my VP wont die half way there and be stuck on the road!!

 

graphitecummins: yes, original IP, Warrentty expired in Feb, per dodge print out

I had a long talk with service, they do not want to hear anything about the
5 plus 100k after the 36/36.

I will not screw with them for a pump, after it's installed I'll send them the
bill and see what happens,

Plus, I DO NOT WANT an in tank lift pump, just another difficult fix...

Checked codes again , only the Smarty codes present...

I don't think the IP is mechanical to bad, my concern is the
momentary, complete " eng quit " ? electronics,
or maybe I just stalled the engine,

 

Correct, the 0216 can be set by a momentary fuel pressure spike or drop, which throws off the timing in the VP44 temporarily.

If you get the 0216, clear it, if it was a freak occurance it shouldn't come back.

If you have a permanent fuel pressure guage you will be able to tell if this is what was causing it.

If it comes back, then you can start worrying.


phox

 

Thanks,,, Yes, I have a Fuel Pressure gage ( & Relocated LP ), 11-12 normal
max drop to 9
FP Was 1st gage I checked when it " Quite ", pressure normal...Voltage also.
( Digital Voltmeter )

Camper is OFF the truck, gonna do some 'Power runs " around town, see if I can force a code, May try Smarty 9,,,,

 

2 yrs ago I had some water in my fuel, it must have been alot and I should of drained my tank. For 2 weeks I was getting the 0216 code and the timing was off horrible. I just knew I toasted the pump but all is good so far (knocking on wood).

 

Is that 346k on original VP?

Clay

 

Well, still no additional codes, loaded smarty 7, running the crap out of it,
Fun, but the fuel gage is working a little weird, keeps going down....
not used to that....

Stopped by the cummins shop, 1800 for a rebuild, 26 for a new,
Parts guy says they come from same Bosch factory, says rebuilt just as good.
???? wonder if Bull Poop or not....

Asked service manager about code, Reply: " probably Bad Pump "
Told him how I got the code and put on another 1200 miles trouble free,
Reply " Don't worry about the pump"

so, Guess I'll keep beating it up around town, Maybe get a rebuilt to carry as a spare, Wish I had a chance to see a IP being replaced,,, Hate to have a road side repair my first,,,