first of all I am new to diesels. I just bought a 2002 dodge ram 4d, 6 inch lift, 20 inch wheels with mud terrain toyo's.

My first question is

1. In the morning when I start my truck sometimes I let it sit for 5 minutes and sometimes only 1 minute depending how late I am getting to work. I know diesels need to run a bit when cold before taking off, but sometimes i gotta get going. So is it normal for it do drive like a slug when not letting it idle for a few minutes? By slug I mean pedal to the floor and onley maintaining a speed of 5-10 mph. Then by about a quarter mile of driving it like that it gets its normal power.

2. When driving on the freeway at 60 mph I'll try to pass somebody and step on the gass, but all the sudden when stepping on the pedal i actually decrease in speed. What would cause that? Fuel Filter? or is it a motor issue? because the motor doesnt gain any rpm's. When it does that I usually have to slam on the pedal to get power or back completely off the pedal and try again. Its kinda wierd.

 

by the way, This truck just had a 12 point certified inspection, all fluids have been flushed and changed, and truck is sounds freakin great.

I also heard that sometimes the factory chip in the truck can buid a "false memory" to the way a driver drives the truck.. is that a crock of crap or is it true? sounds kinda bogus but i know nuthing

 

Certified by who? The dealer?


You hit the nail on the head. What sense would it make for DCX to engineer a vehicle that memorized its first owner's habits? That's like saying a USPS yard horse only responds to the actions of the first shift driver.


From the symptoms you describe it sounds like your lift pump isn't supplying enough fuel or your injection pump doesn't know what to do with the fuel that it is getting.

It's likely one or the other, but could be both.

 

what am i looking at for price when it comes to buying these parts if needed? I'd like to have someone look at it to see whats wrong but I cant really afford it. most places charge an arm and a leg just to look at something.

 

Even with the lift pump going out or out completely you should still be able to go above 5-10mph on the floor cold. It sounds like the VP44 is going out.

 

I was told to day that its very possible that it may be my fuel filter. It gets enouph fuel to idle but when driving it seems to be lacking enough fuel. I bought this thing from a dealership a week and a half ago, so either its a fuel filter or im taking it back..

does anyone have any info on how long a dealership is responsible for this after perchase? its like 30 days right?

 

Do the Key trick and check for codes. I'll bet you have the death code (P0216). How many miles does the truck have? I think Cummins warranty's the VP44 up to 100,000 miles.

 

Check your warranty book. My 2001 book very CLEARLY states the Cummins 5 yr/100,000 mile warranty starts at the END of the Chrysler 3/36,000 mile warranty.

 

Sounds like the Dead Peddle syndrome to me, indicating either the APPS or the VP44. VP44 is about $1100 to replace, doing it yourself. APPS is also very spendy, but can be reset first by following directions in the TECH FACTS section of this forum.

Check for codes. The P0216 means something is out of line. If the weather has been very cold in your area, it is possible you had cold filter plugging, but still iffy. Do you ever add any diesel fuel additives, such as Power Service (Wal-Mart, white bottle) or Stanadyne to suppress fuel gelling/clouding? That might help. If the Dealer was really proactive and did the inspection, they should likely have replaced the fuel filter before they sold it to you.

 

I replaced the filter today. The old one didnt look too bad but looks can be decieving. Nothing really changed in the way it preformed.

I talked to my buddy who has a 2001. He said that his did the exact same thing and it was a sensor problem with the transmission.

in the mornings when I start it up or after its been sitting for a while it doesnt seem to want to switch gears for about a quarter mile then all the sudden all my power kicks in, but when I'm driving on the freeway every once and a while my pedal goes kinda limp. It doesnt stop sending fuel, but it stays at the same speed as I press it. Only when I slam the pedal to the floor do i get more speed. It doesnt happen all the time but im sure its a sign that something is wrong.

** Oh and I only have 138,000 miles on it

 

you really need to have the codes checked as stated in a earlier post, try turning the key on off on off on off then leave on don't engage the starter when doing this and then look at the odometer it will give you p--- codes then we can help you

 

You have one too many off's there Gunnie,

The proper sequence is :

ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON and leave it there, then watch the odometer for codes if any.

You will see the odo display P ECU, P ------, P done. It will show twice. If you have any codes you will see P XXXX (P 0216 for example) instead of P ------.

 

ran the a dio test on it today.. came out as "P0126 Inj Pump Timing Fault". I took it back to the dealership and they said they would work something out..

Can this problem be fixed without replacing the whole pump? Cant the timing on the pump be adjusted?

And if the injector pump needs to be replaced then does the transfer pump need to be replaced also?

thanks guys for all the help!!!!

Brandon

 

That is the VP44 death code. It means that the electronic on the pump either are fried or failing. Either way the pump ends up getting replaced.

The lift pump may not need to be replaced. If it has addequate output then it does not need to be replaced.

 

ok.. Im confused... Should I still be driving it? I still have to get to work and it appears to run fine, aside from this little Injector problem..

what should I do?