'01 2500, automatic, stock. Over the past few months, truck has been having to crank longer to start. Yesterday it was 28 degrees and truck started fine that morning, went to fill with diesel and truck had to crank forever before it started, got back home and killed it. Tried to start it again later and it would not start at all. Got it started again and it runs perfect as it always has, just won't start. After reading a few posts, changed out the lift pump. Truck fired up with no problem after the pump was installed. Left it running, rev'd a few times, all seemed good. Got in it later to test drive and as soon as it was put in gear, it died. Its now having trouble starting again. Got it started again and if you give it a little throttle and put it in gear, it drives fine, runs good. Soon as you let it idle all the way down in gear it dies. Don't have a gauge, but since the lift pump was replaced the pressure is much better than before. Any idea's.

Thanks

 

Turn the key on and off and back on three times to see if you have any codes. My truck did very simular things last january turned out I needed a new vp44 and I didnt get any codes.

Im not sure exactly whats involved as i have never done it but i think if loosen a couple injector lines when its not starting you can see if its pumping any fuel.
Some one with a little more experiance might now how to check.

 

Thanks, I did not even know how to pull the codes. The first set of codes PCU were 0460 and 1693, the second set ECU were 0216 and 1693. I understand the 0216 is vp44 timing. Thats what I was afraid of.

 

P0460
Fuel Level Unit No Change Over Miles
P0216
Fuel Injection Pump Timing Failure
P1693
DTC Detected In ECM Or PCM

 

Thanks again, From everything I have read, it sounds like the VP44. Thats hard to believe, cause it runs great when you get it started.

 

I've been running with the P0216 code for over a year now. I had some hard starting issues that were the result of a fuel leak (seep) at the fuel heater. To this day the truck runs like a striped-a$$ ape but I always have the code. I will be interested to see if changing the VP will correct your problem.

 

Most the time a hard starting diesel is because of air in the fuel system. I know that a VP44 timing failure code is bad, but before you go and spend a $1000 plus dollars check the easier stuff first. When you replaced the lift pump did you bleed out fuel system really well and make sure there were no leaks?

 

I did check for leaks, and did not see anything. I bled the air at the ip coming from the fuel bowl. The truck fired up quickly after that and was idling for 15 mins. I just now cracked one of the lines at the injector and cranked a few secs, went back up and it did not look like much, if any fuel came out. I then cranked for 10 secs or so and it pumped alot of fuel. There may have been some air. I guess I may to that to all of them and see if that helps.

 

From experience, sounds like that VP44 was runnin' a little thirsy before you changed the lift pump. Just like I did on mine, and on numerous other trucks, I think you should boot that inj. pump out from under that hood.

 

Yeah - I had the same situation. Your lift pump was bad - starved and destroyed your VP44.

Install a fuel pressure guage in that truck before you put a new VP44 in. If I had not - I would likely be on my 3rd or 4th Injector pump. Lift pumps are cheap in comparison to you IP.

Consider saving yourself some money and buying something different next time for a lift pump. These carter pumps are purely junk.

Good luck.

 

After all the line bleeding, I got it going and drove it for a few mins. When I put it back in gear to move it again, she died. Having the same starting issues. Have ordered a new IP. The new LP installed earlier was an AIRTEX. I was told this was an upgrade over what it had. Thanks..

 

Sorry to hear it. I had to put a VP44 and LP in this year. I joined this forum at the same time.

How many miles on the truck?

 

127000 miles, I wish I would have joined earlier. I have had symptoms of the weak lp for a few months, I just did not know it.

 

A friend of mine had the same type of problem with his 2000. If you have not checked the fuel filter lately that could be it, even after you changed out the lift pump there could have been stuff in the line. Also you might check the line running from the fuel filter housing to the VP44. Good luck!