Hi everyone. I am posting this for my hubby who is on his way to work this am. Please excuse me if I am posting in the wrong place.

We have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500PU 4x4 with Cummins Diesel that came in it. He has been having the following problem with his truck: first, it starts fine and runs fine but...
right after starting up and taking off for the first time every day it will have a problem gaining speed. For example...when shifting from 2 to 3 gear it seems to have a problem gaining speed, sorta like you can push on the excellerator all you want but it only goes so fast. It will gain speed but limited and slow. From 3 to 4 gear same problem and from 4 to 5 gear same. After about 2 miles down the road it is like something opens up and off it goes at normal speed for the pressure you push on the excellerator and runs fine rest of the day.

Does anyone have any idea what this is? Sorry if I am not describing this very well. I am not mechanically inclined .

Thanks for any help,
Rick757's wife

 

Could be a couple of things. You need to check the codes first. One way to do this is to turn the key on-off-on-off-on and leave it turned to the on position and watch the odometer. it will run through a series of checks and if there are any codes, they will pop up. write them down, and post back here, and we can help you with the codes. The odomter will go back to its original state with the mileage when the check is completed. it will say done a couple of times, but that does not mean it is finished. Just wait for the mileage to come back then you know it is done. Hope all works out for you, and no codes are there.

 

Yes, do what Happy said.....we need to know what trouble codes are present - there will be some. Call your husband and have him do the key cycling procedure as Happy said and report back as to what the findings are.

 

Thanks for answering guys. Rick is out of phone range right now but as soon as I can reach him I will have him do what you suggested. Will post later on his results.

Thanks again,
Rick757's wife

 

Here is what showed up when he checked for codes. P PCU does this mean anything to any of you? Hope someone can help.

Thanks,
Rick757's wife

 

sounds just like my injector pump problem...it did this to me everyday until i got it fixed...


and on the codes...it will go thru a series of items flashing on the display

"p pcu"
any codes will be shown like "p0216" "p1693"
then "p pcu done"

then it was say "p ecu"
and any codes present will be shown
then "p ecu done"

you must wait as it flashes because each one takes a few seconds to show up. the one you are really looking for the "P0216" this is the injection pump failure which can cause lots of issues...and one day will eventually die and leave you stranded if its not fixed first. hopefully you have a warranty still and the cost to you will be minimal.

good luck

 

You'll need to check the fuel pressure also. My bet is the injector pump is toast (not a good thing) because the lift pump is not working like it should. Common problem.

Also, you'll need to buy your husband a set of pillar guages for his b-day, but he'll need them tomorrow! This will help him monitor the engine performance and keep an eye on the engine. Also, a 4" exhaust, rebuild the transmission. (He told me to say that! )

 

Ok the code is P 1693 and if it is the injector pump, how much are we talking about here?

Rick757's wife

 

1693 is a "companion" code, means there are other codes. You'll need a code scanner to get the rest of the codes. Take the truck to an AUTO ZONE or similar and they can pull the codes for free.

$1,600 - $2,000 if its the injector pump & lift pump, two seperate pumps. The lift pump feeds the injector pump. If the lift pump quits (no fuel pressure) the injector pumps burns up. (Code 0216).

But you really do need to get a fuel pressure gauge right away. $50 - $60.

I won't tell lies no more!

 

How many miles? You have a 100K mile warranty through Cummins.
I made use of it about 2 months back, saved me from parking the truck for a month or so (because I wouldn't have had the 2 grand to fix it).
Symptoms say that you are in for a new VP44 and Lift Pump. Once I got the new pumps the truck ran like new.
Good Luck.

 

NOOOOOO its the tranny........its the input shaft seal eing cold and not sealing correctly........they do this when trucks sit for a while or something............and it sound just like a input shaft seal from my past experience............

 

Not a believer...................?

It's the "Runs fine the rest of the day" part that has me thinking VP44.

 

If I had a wife that cared about my codes I might still be married.

 

I took my truck in to try and get the LP fixed, no go, I had them pull the codes since I also had the companion code, but the tech said it was clean? I haven't had any troubles just low FP Hmmmm me thinks I gotta start stashing some green away into "Replace the VP44 for a day" fund.