I just bought my truck early last month - my 1st diesel and was really enjoying it. One morning last week I came out to go to work and it wouldn't start - just cranked and cranked but no fire. Saw several posts about lift pumps, and worse (VP44s). Tried a few things but I just couldn't wait any longer - I had it towed to a shop and they tell me the ECM is fried and that has also fried the VP44. Actually I think they are saying that the VP44 died and sent a surge into the ECM, they want $5,500 to fix. Gonna call dealer, see if they will fix it free or take it back. My guess is they won't so I will probably get a crash course in fixing a Cummins myself - won't pay $5,500. Found a place that rebuilds ECMs - anyone have experience with rebuilt ECMs?

 

Some thoughts I have:
1.) I doubt that your ECM is fried.
2.) You should be able to buy a new or rebuilt VP44 for $1,000 to $1,500 easy and possibly install it yourself if you are somewhat mech inclined.

I don't think these ECM's can be rebuilt or anything. Might be wrong though.

Also, if you do pay for someone else to replace your pump, find out how many hours the dealer will charge, but I think it should be less than 3 or 4. So $5,500 is way over what you should expect to pay.

Hope this helps.

 

There are usually some good ecm's on EBay. All Cummins and dealer ecm's are rebuilt. Cummins dealer told me this.

 

ecm's are truck specific. i don't think i would trust that diagnostic.

 

if u buy an ecm from autoparts stores, u must bring it to dealer to be flashed.5 g's sounds way outa line. do the vp first then see if it starts. surge to ecm sounds like bs.

 

Nothing a 2K ebay DRB III and a $100 diag manual won't prove