tcT4630T

OK I have owned my 2002 dodge 3500 5.9 24 valve Cummins for 4 years now without any problems. The other day I went out to use it and it would crank but not start. I am getting code P1689, P0215, P1698. Looking on forums it talked about the 5.9 having a crankshaft sensor just behind the starter. I removed the starter and the hole that would take the crank sensor is blocked off without a sensor in it. I remember that the guy I bought the truck from had told me that the engine had been replaced. The engine plate info is S/N 56882188, 235 HP @ 2700RPM, Family 1CEXH0359BAA. Getting good fuel pressure and flow from fuel pump. Jumped out the vp44 injector pump, still cranks but no start, looks like I need a new VP44. But I want to make sure I get the right one for the engine I have. Talked to Cummins and they could not give me any details because it is a Dodge Cummins engine. Thanks for any help on deciding on what 5.9 I have. I know that they are in school busses and larger trucks.

jrs_dodge_diesel

Welcome to DTR

235 HP, you have the Standard Output (SO) version of the 24 valve. You would order a SO VP44. The SO engine was used with the automatic transmission, and the NV4500 5 speed manual transmission. The high output (HO) 245 HP engine was only used in trucks with the NV5600 6 speed manual transmission.

P1689 is a bad code, no communication between the ECM and injection pump module. That's a strong indication of a bad VP44.

Sounds like you did the hot wire test of the VP44 (12 Volts to pin 7, ground on pin 6), and still didn't start. I'm fairly certain you have a bad VP44.

Cummins should be able to give you info on your engine, they are the ones who built it. If you talk to them again, just tell them you have a B series 5.9 and give them the engine serial # and the CPL #, both of them are on the data plate on the front of the engine. If you are just looking for a new VP44, there are several reputable aftermarket vendors, Blue Chip Diesel is one of them.

Hope this helps.

tcT4630T

Yes I did the hot wire test, no luck, cranked over good but no start. Checked to make sure I had good fuel pressure (fuel not air) at the banjo bolt going into the VP44 supply side. Just could not find the crank sensor that others had talked about on their 5.9. Just wanted to make sure before I ordered the replacement VP44. Thanks TC

jrs_dodge_diesel

Your crank sensor is actually a camshaft sensor, and is located up on the front drivers side of the block, between the VP44 and vacuum/power steering pump.

The earlier 24V engines had the crank sensor behind the starter, the later ones had the camshaft sensor up forward. Both sensors have the same function.

You shouldn't have to change yours out just yet. A bad one will not prevent the engine from starting, because the VP44 has an internal position sensor too. When the crank/cam sensor goes bad, the usual symptoms are the tach is intermittent or just reads zero, and the alternator and A/C compressor shuts off. The Dodge PCM thinks the engine isn't running, so that's why it shuts off the alternator and A/C. The PCM will shut down a gas engine Ram (2nd gen) because it has full control over the fuel and ignition systems. It normally will not shut down the diesel engine because the fuel injection system is controlled by the Cummins ECM and VP44. The VP44 can operate without a cam/crank signal because it has an internal position sensor. That is how the VP44 hot wire test can work. The ECM uses both sensors to know where the crankshaft is at and adjusts timing as needed for the conditions in normal operation.

tcT4630T

Thanks for the reply, this info about the later 24valve only having the camshaft sensor is good info. Thanks.

tcT4630T

I have 2 transistors for the vp44 ordered from the UK. Will have time to pull the VP44 next week. Looks like this is a common repair in Europe on YOUTUBE but very little on the subject in English. Always like to see how things are put together and try to repair them, not always successful. But always interesting seeing how things are made.

jrs_dodge_diesel

This thread by Junkdude will shed some light on things:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...y-vp44-323641/

Just be aware if you do anything drastic, that you may not be able to use the bad VP44 as a core.

tcT4630T

Update, after watching youtube about 100 time on how to remove the vp44 from my truck. I started on it Sat. removing parts from the engine to get to my vp44. After being in a wreck about 4 years ago my memory is very short, so I have to go back to you tube to see the next step, I am like a new trainee starting out new. Got the pump out this morning, removed the cover holding the EDC in place, opened the EDC access cover and did not find the transistor fried. Then took time to look over the rest of the pump (like I said trainee) and found the advance solenoid wires insulation from the EDC had failed from the heat, letting the 2 wires touch. Not sure heat shrink tubing would hold up to the heat, or what damage the wires touching may have caused. Looks like it will be a rebuilt pump on order. Thanks for the help. TC

tcT4630T

Update, Installed rebuilt VP44 with new electronics, runs great. The old one still had the Bosch tag on it. Thanks for all the help. TC