I've seen the responses in the archive, but thought I'd ask anyway...
I have a 98.5, 5-spd with ~160,000mi on it. Lift pump and VP44 were replaced ~30,000 ago (with an 027 pump) and yesterday the CE light came on while towing. Performance has not changed, still starts and runs fine, hot or cold.
Lift pressure is 12-13psi idle, never below 8-9psi WOT. Truck is stock other than an EZ and BHAF added about 10,000mi ago.

So the question- Has anyone had an P0216 code that was related to something other than a forthcoming VP44 failure? Could this be an electronic problem that could be repaired by a Bosch center?
My last failure was a no-warning, explosion of the pump shaft (with 0psi at the lift pump!). I can't imagine that the same is happening now.

Thanks!
Bryan

 

I got a 0216 code at about 25,000 miles when I plugged a fuel filter. I was taking my pressure reading from the inlet side to the filter, pressure was fine. When it set the code I check the pressure at the injection pump, oops, no pressure. Put 60000 more on the truck before the VP44 failed.

 

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, those are my post-filter readings. No luck that it would be a $15 part!

Bryan

 

mine is at the ******* now and they're saying it was debris in the fulel line from the tank which caused enough restricyion to kick on the ce light. not sure how treu that may be cuz it sounds a little fishy to me, but i dont know of anyway to ck that.

 

How long do VP's usually live after they set the code???

 

I drove mine almost 5000 miles. It kept getting harder and harder to start.

The VP44 uses fuel to cool it. It also uses the inlet fuel pressure to advance the timing. That is the reason you get the 0216 code when the pump is going out.

 

Here is some interesting reading on the VP44 failure with power enhancements.
http://www.bluechipdiesel.com/Bosch-VP44.htm