Can anyone go into detail on why I would receive a "timing error" code on my injection pump? It is at the dealer right now getting pressures and pump flows tested on the VP and LP. What makes the VP44 throw this code? Is it a pressure problem or mechanical? Should I push them to replace it since it is under warranty, PRAISE THE LORD, or can the problem be corrected?

Thanks for the help in advance!

 

Chances are good that you now have an expensive paperweight!

 

Dealer just called and told me they are replacing the lift pump. I spoke with the diesel mechanic and tried to get pressures out of him, but he told me they no longer do a "pressure test". They do the old "bump the starter flow test".

"When you bump the starter, the lp should run for 25 seconds and displace so many ounces of fuel. Mine ran for about 3 and quit. The reason it runs bad is because the lp is shutting off and I'm running mearly by suction from the VP44."

Does anyone agree with that? I get it back tomorrow, so we'll see. I guess I don't have a expensive paper weight now, but I'm still interested if anyone can explian the question originally posted.

 

I'd put together a detailed log of things they do to your ride... from what I read, your lp has shot cr@ps which depending on how long it's been that way, you'll be replacing the VP-44 very soon.

 

4X4dually,

I agree with graphitecumnz. You will be very lucky if you don't need a replacement VP in the near future. The mechanic is treating only part of the problem in my opinion. He doesn't know how long your lift pump might have been starving your VP.

Tom

 

I have had a fuel pressure gauge since very early in its life and good pressure.
My vp set the 0216 code and I thought it was time.
Then it cleared up, the code is gone and the battery grounds were dirty.
I just checked again today , no codes.
Truck has never run better!!
Go figure.

I guess it is electrical noise from the poor grounds. Maybe, when I get time I'll build some filters as this truck has noise in the radio with the phone charger going.
Foe you , you do need to get it all documented for the future. I bet the VP is damaged and will go out with- in a year.

 

The 'Bump the starter test" is only ONE of the tests the technician is supposed to use to determine the health of your lift pump.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/14-002-03.htm


I'm no rocket surgeon, and I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night, but I'd like to know how a bad lift pump would cause the injection pump to throw a "Timing" code unless the VP is hosed.

Out of the mouths of babes.....

The VP might run by "sucking" it's own fuel supply, but it will not be receiving enough fuel (usually supplied by the lift pump) to keep it cool, hastening its early demise.

 

Thank you guys for the info. Shovelhead, your TSB was very informative and I'll ask more questions tomorrow about the VP. Frankly, I'm concerned about it. I'm also a bit worried about the LP running for only 3 seconds. Seems like an electrical problem to me, but what do I know about it.

 

No...probably not an electrical problem...the LP is not healthy.....and, as the others said, the IP is most likely in the same boat.

 

The tech at my dealership says the "flow" test is a joke! A dying lift pump with no load against it (not pressurizing a fuel system) will free flow enough fuel to pass almost every time.

I drove my truck for 3 minutes with a dead lift pump. Was in a position where I couldn't pull over. Glanced at the guage as it dropped past 4 psi, hit zero and there was nothing I could because of traffic and conditions. VP was replaced very soon afterwards

 

Of course, DC was replacing WAY to many LP's so they subsituted the flow test for the previously used pressure test. Makes me shake my head.

 

When my lift pump started showing low pressure @ 37,000 miles, I went to Cummins and purchased a replacement pump and installed it myself.
Even if it was covered by warranty, I'd rather avoid the hassle.

 

I agree that only one test isn't enought, but when the flow test states it should run out 45 ounces of fuel and it ran out only 3, I'd agree it was trashed. I doubt they did anything to check the VP, I'll ask them at noon. There may be chunks of circuit board traces in both of them since the fuel gauge sending unit crapped out about 1000 miles ago. A bunch of the traces were missing. Hopefully the fuel filter caught them before the VP. I have an idea, lets design a circuit board that stays completely submersed in a petroleum chemical and use traces that are only about 10 mil wide (.010 inch). I'm sure those will hold up over time and not release from the pwb material, especially since a wiper is passing over them at a 90 degree angle time and time again. Let's also put them about 8 mil apart because that will ensure that they never short out. What are some engineers thinking? I sure hope they don't get paid much. If so, I want to work for DC. If we tested some of the electrical stuff on our pickups along with the MIL components we make around here, they would fail in about 2 minutes. I geuss it keeps the cost of our trucks down and it sure does keep the sevice department employed.

 

Iwould hope if you puked the sender that the pickup screen and/or fuel filter stopped the damaging size chuncks from reaching the VP

 

Well, back to the dealer again today, 20 some odd days after they replaced my lift pump. Still getting the "injector timing pump error" code.

Guess what, injector pump is trashed! Everyone here was right. I now have a VP44 paper weight. Thank goodness for the 100,000 mile warrenty on the CDT! Piece of crap pumps. 53,000 miles and the lp dumps and now 400 miles later the injector pump dumps. Nice engineering! At least it only cost me my time and not the price of the pumps or labor! I vote they send the pump eningeers to Oklahoma State University for some classes in mechanical design!. Or maybe give some of my buddies that graduated from here a job!