low RPM miss/instability
white smoke
hard starting
engine dies at idle
low power
fuel filter cracking (high pressure)

 

Here is another clue (I hope) after we changed fuel filter, TPS and bled pump out everthing ran great, idle stayed at 8-900RPM and could not get it to dip below that even with air and reving with foot on brake and in drive or reverse. Parked it for 2 hours and started it up and the problem reappeared. Low idle, could kill it easily.
Could it be sucking in air somewhere? Where??
Electrical gremlin?

 

Replace the rubber supply and return hoses to the injection pump.

 

Use an air compressor blow gun wrapped in a rag to pressurize the fuel system though the tank fill spout.
10 PSI MAX
Any leaks will be readily apparent.

 

DID YOU TRY TO TAKE IT TO DODGE AND HAVE A CUMMINS MECHANIC LOOK AT IT?

 

COULD IT BE ONE OF YOUR NON-STOCK COMPONENTS?

 

Back on the road!!
Final findings
1) TPS when it was removed was found to be bad, or at least looked bad. The top covering the guts had come off.
I replaced it needing it or not
2) Cables adjusted. Dealer had instaled recall cable but slack had developed.
3) Found the idle nut on the pump (finnaly!) and adjusted up
4)Found a crack in the O ring on the fuel filter and replaced.

Runs like a top, Don't know how this all played out or if they even had a lot to do with each other but all is well
Thanks guys for your help and I hope this adventure benefits someone down the road

 

thats great to have her running now. i get all worked up when my truck isn't running right. my 99 powerstroke was in the shop a whole heck of alot more than my 96 cummins is.

 

MBman,
The crack in the o-ring and the idle was your problem.
Andy

 

I know in GASSERS that if the torque converter does not unlock or locks to soon ( wiitch could have been caused by the TPS) they will die.