Anyone know what is involved in testing the VP44 fuel injector pump? I asked my local Cummins dealer and was told 3 hrs labor, must be prretty intensive testing.

 

I thought they had a plug in tester that would just let the motor idle while they looked at LED's. 30 minutes should do that. What else are they doing?
What codes does the truck have?

 

3 hours? The replacement only takes 4 hours!

 

Slinger,

I've been through just about every conceivable fueling issue on my CTD, and I can tell you from experience that the testing they'll do, if you can get someone to do it right away, should take LESS THAN an hour. Essentially, you're paying for the electronic test jig they've got. It sends signals directly to the VP-44, which bypasses your ECM. If the VP-44 doesn't behave with this jig on there, it's VP time (and the real fun begins). They'll also do the obligatory lift pump pressure test at the VP-44 inlet, but it's still less than an hour...

BTW, the question about which code you're getting is a darn good one. Please get to us with the code...

B in NOLA

 

If they are R&Ring the VP44 to put it on the test stand, that would easily be 3 hours.


phox

 

Slinger,

It reads as if we've got some differing opinions here, but I'll tell you what I went through. I flat-bedded my dead 4x4 over 30 miles to my nearest service center. As they didn't even bother to bring it into the shop, I sat right outside the fence -- during a Louisiana summer day -- and watched everything they diid. In fact, they didn't have a clue about my FASS, so they asked me to come in and explain it to them.

Well, they performed the old pressure test at the VP-44 inlet -- it was fine. Next, they hooked up the test jig I mentioned in my last message -- the CTD still wouldn't crank up. After that, they fumbled around with a laptop they had -- they couldn't get it to work. After all that, they dropped the big bomb on me and informed me about the cost of replacing the VP-44. Obviously, I said, "No, thanks" and called for the flat bed again. As I waited, the cashier handed me an invoice for 3.5 hours at $85.00 per.

Well, I didn't hesitate to ask for the Service Manager at that point. He told me that the hours "come off of the time clock," and rested his case. But his attitude changed a tad when I pulled out my note pad and showed him the times I recorded. You see, they didn't dedicate a tech to my job -- I got about three diiferent guys. On top of that, a couple of them went on test drives during the time the clock was running on my job. In short, they were billing me for their non-productive time, which wasn't going to work for me. Anyway, I expained everything I saw, gave him the tech's names and ended up paying for 1.2 hours of labor. The truck was there for over 5 hours, so you do the math. Once again, my vote is an hour or less.

Hope this helps,
B in NOLA

 

Cummins Dealer most likely has the actual VP44 test stand,
not the piddley electronic gizmo and laptop the Dodge Dealer has.

Comparing an actual Cummins service center with your average Dodge Dealership service department is akin to comparing apples to filet mignon.

Apples to Oranges just wasn't enough for this comparison.


phox

 

Very interesting replies and obviously if I take it in I should be watching as closely as I can and documenting what I see.
A question regarding codes, how do I get them? If I can retrieve them I'll post them for you all to comment.
Thanks for the great help, you folks are the best.

 

2000 on up you can do the key on/off trick to retrieve codes.

Turn key to "on" (don't start), then off, then on, then off, then on and leave it on.
Codes will read out in the odometer window.
P-PCU followed by the PCM codes, then P-ECU followed by the ECM codes.
(or reverse order, I can never remember)
then P-Done meaning it's done.


phox

 

phox_mulder, thanks the codes are
PCU
P 0500
P 0460
P 1693

P-ECU
P 0216
P 1693

Hopefully someone can decipher what the codes mean if anything and how do I clear them?
Thanks for you help.

 

P0500 No Vehicle Speed Sensor Signal
P0460 Fuel Level Unit No Change Over Miles
P0216 Fuel Injection Pump Timing Failure
P1693 DTC Detected In ECM Or PCM
(companion code, means the other computer has a code, which obviously it does)

I check here https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...n&onlynewfaq=1

then here http://www.troublecodes.net/chrysler/96-01.shtml

and if I still can't find it, here http://www.troublecodes.net/chrysler/99-01trk.shtml


As to what they mean and how to clear them,
Vehicle speed sensor is on top of the rear pumpkin,
usually you see symptoms in the speedometer or airbag light if it is failing.

Fuel Level sender in the tank is known to cause problems,
but you'd probably have run out of fuel by now if it was failing.

P0216 is usually the death code for the VP44,
but has been known to be thrown when a lift pump is failing and throwing off the timing in the injection pump.

They will clear themselves after X number of engine starts with the problem fixed,
or you'll need a code reader to clear them.


phox

 

phox_mulder, thanks so much for your trouble. Lately I've noticed "dead pedal" and occasionally "smoking" right after starting, and after reading about this topic on this forum seems to support the dead VP44 notion. The LP went out a couple of months ago which was replaced under warranty at which time they told me the VP44 was fine. From what I could tell they came to that conclusion by seat of the pants test drive which by no means is the best. Now that I have a little more knowledge I think it's time to visit my dealer again and see what they say.
When I have an answer I'll be sure to post it here.
Thanks ever so much for all your help.

 

Slinger,

Beef and produce aside, I want you to know that my posts are ALL referenced to a full blown CUMMINS service center. If you've done some reading on this -- and other CTD forums -- it will become glaringly apparent that most of us who don't shy away from a wrench would sooner go to the dentist than go to the dealer, and I'm no exception

I just thought it was prudent to leave the name brands off of the post. However, I hate to give convoluted advice, so there you go. Once again, the observations I offered [above] were all made at a very large Cummins service center. I've been to hell and back when it comes to the CTD fuel system, so I know exactly how you feel...

Hope that clarifies things,
B

 

Hi guy's
Where I work I recently recieved a 01 Dodge with the cummins 24 valve and vp44 pump. Lately I noticed that there is a dead spot in the 1400-1500 rpm range when driving slow. If I back off the throttle for a bit and put it down again it seems I get past that spot. Either that or I put it to the floor and it shifts down. Then it takes off like a scared rabbit. A couple of times I had a dead pedal on take off too. My thoughts where throttle position sensor. I took it to the dealer today to have the tps changed but they checked the codes first and found the injection pump timing failure, I'm assuming it was the p0216 code.
What I want to know is would this P0216 code cause this type of problem with the dead spots in the rpm range and the dead pedal at take off?
I need to know as soon as possible so if you like anyone can E-mail me at
pwfore@mts.net

Will I be lookin at getting a reman pump or could this be caused by something else?????

 

Unfortunately this is a very common problem. The way it usually rolls out is the lift pump goes south then the injector pump has to suck fuel from the fuel tank. The IP is not designed to do this so this causes it to go south too. The symptoms of a failed or failing IP is dead spots in the accelerator and or blue white smoke when starting and or will not rev over 2200 rpm.
This happened to me so you are getting it from the horses mouth (don't take that literally). My symptoms did not include the 2200 rpm limit that symptom came from the diesel mechanic that replaced my IP.
As for what to replace it with, if it were me and if I could afford it I'd get the Blue Chip refurbished pump.
I've just purchased a low fuel pressure switch with red indicating light from Blue Chip which is set for 5 PSI hopefully this will save my IP.