I was sitting in a drive-thru fast food place and decided to check for codes with the on and off key method and there is was, biggger than a junebug in direct line of sight. I have no smoke at start-up, maybe a little down on power, no "dead pedal ", idles smooth, 1 to 1 1/2 mpg down on fuel mileage as far as I can tell . I have a spare lift pump ( an old one that was replaced because of a trip and " within spec " according to Dodge ) . Am I looking at a new VP or is there a ray of hope ? Oh yeah, 101,400 miles .

 

I am getting ready to make a little test happen with just replacing the electronics module on the top of the vp-44 to see if that is causing my problems. I get the occasional dead pedal and the 1693 code. My truck only has 47,000 miles. The lift pump runs a little low (4psi lowest) but this thing only does the dead pedal at some odd times. Like yesterday i was pulling my 32' racecar enclosed trailer with full load and going up the biggest hill it was fine. On some flat roads at light throttle (6-9 psi of fuel at the time it happened) it would start to act up (dead pedal, loss of power). Then on the way back it didn't mess up any. This has been going on for about a month now. But I have finally started to figure out it happens the most during the day (when its hot out). So I am wondering if the electronic control module on the pump could be the problem. Since I have an extra IP i am going to just switch the control module out(i think this can be done, haven't tried it yet). I have no hard start problems, no white smoke being puffed out, and the truck only has Diesel Dynamics stage 2 injectors. I am real curious to see what happens since i have heard people say they thought the electronics sometimes go bad. So stay tuned if your interested.

 

Sheesh, I talked to the dealer and they were not able to get the codes to come up again. I'm happy, but now have that little nagging grey cloud in the back of the mind . They said it popped the codes because I had a momentary low fuel pressure situation and that they didn't think it was long enough to hurt the VP . They also assured me that the lift pump had ok volume and pressure . So I'm gonna put off some debit payoff and get GAUGES ! I've already been struck by lightening so I must be charmed in this situation .

 

Checking for codes every couple of thousand miles will tell if the dealer diagnoses is correct. Usually the fuel pressure has to get to zero, and the pump be severly starved, on a one time basis to trip the code. When this happens you'll also notice a big decrease in performance because the engine isn't getting fuel.

Over a long period of time, the 0216 code is usually caused by the high pressure chamber diaphram and/or o-ring seal failure, but in theory, anything in the timing circuit can cause the code, including elecronics and sensors. Improved diaphrams have improved the problem of them cracking out, but the o-ring problem hasn't been solved. My belief is that it's fuel pressure flucuatons and harmonics which destroy the o-rings and diaphrams. If your fuel pressure guage bounces and a snubber is needed keep it steady, you will eventually loose a VP44, no matter what fuel pressure you've been running.

 

You REALLY NEED to get a FP gauge up n' running! I hope it's not your VP44, but....

Is your tranny stock? I put a DTT VB in mine before adding the Edge, thought it might give me a little margin to the increased torque....

 

My truck is stock as a rock except for what you see in my sig. Even with the assurances from the dealer, the little voice in my head says I'm on borrowed time . No problem, I was waiting for the warrenty to expire to start getting my truck fixed up . That and a wheelbarrow of small denomination bills ! LOL

 

My guess is it's the TPS giving you the problem. I believe the FPCM can't be changed out in the field, and has to done on a test stand.