My '02 is running rough, especially with the Juice cranked up but no death code, could my VP be on it's way out?

 

The VP44 can die at any time without producing any codes. I am assuming you have a fuel pressure gauge and show good pressure? If so, it's quite likely your injection pump.
mishkaya

 

Yeah, I've got a brand new FASS 150 with 23 psi at idle and 15 WOT. I was just reading the thread about surging/bucking having to do with too much timing advance with the cold weather. Mine gets a whole bunch better with the Juice on 1 or off all together. I do have the 2030 code and hard cold starts though. Starts great when hot. I understand the 2030 code is power interruption to the lift pump? Could this be the source of my problem? Fuel pressure never goes below 15 though so the FASS isn't cutting out and my installer said the relay was ok. Any ideas? Thanks y'all...

 

If you are talking about the 0230 code, I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about it as long as you ALWAYS have good fuel pressure. It could have something to do with the way the FASS is hooked up. It really does sound like the VP44 going south, but it could be as simple as an electrical issue, as this has been known to happen before. I would suggest checking and cleaning all your grounds (not just the battery connectors), I think there are about ten of them under the hood; as well as all your connectors to make sure there isn't any corrosion. It won't cost much anything but time, and you will for sure rule out that problem.
mishkaya

 

Could be an issue with the juice since it is better turned down to 1 or off clean ALL grounds eliminate the juice clear the code and then see what it does.

 

Could it be that it is worse with the Juice turned up because it is asking more of a dying horse (VP)?

 

That is a definite possibility and many do find out that even though the symptoms go away with the box off, it is relatively short lived. Hard to say though.
mishkaya

 

Do ya think it's safe to say the 0230 code is not the culprit here since I don't have erratic psi & never dip below 15 psi at WOT? Plus the 0230 code is not associated with hard cold starts right? The hard start is more a VP thing? Sorry for all the questions, just trying to justify a call to BlueChip this week.

 

The P0230 code shows up whenever he lift pump is disconnected. I have run a simple relay and used the pump to trigger it. The relay doesn't even turn anything on, but prevents the code.

Dave

 

I used to get a little surge before I soldered the Comp/pump wire connection.

When my VP died, you had to crank the starter more & more to get the motor started until it plain quit starting. I could start it with ether and it ran great with no performance loss on the Test Hill...'jes wouldn't start.
Rebuilt VP fixed that.