I have a 99 Dodge Ram Cummins Auto 4x4 with about 93k on the clock. I was driving down the road today when my truck just shut down and I had to coast off the road. A friend changed the fuel filter. That wasn't it. It looks like something more serious. A few notes that we found when digging into it found the following:

fuel to the injectors when cracked.
It appears the transfer pump is working.
There is no smoke from the truck, no nothing.
There is no high fuel pressure anywhere.
Possible injection pump?

Whatever actuates, triggers, signals the high fuel pressure is not working.

I am going to try to get a code reader or scanner sometime tomorrow.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks in advance
Jared
jaredrimmer@hotmail.com

 

Hi, hey fill out your signature in user cp above, it will help us help you. Verify that there is fuel in the tank..more than 5 gallons. More than a few guys have been bitten by bad fuel gages and run out of fuel. You will need to verify lift pump pressure. A simple 15 psi mechanical test gage and 1/8 male npt pipe fitting into the front port on the top of the fuel filter will do it. Good will be 14-15 psi by bumping the starter and not cranking. Much less and the lift pump is on the way out. Next try to get the codes scanned. Also make sure the batteries are good. It's been said that a low voltage will cause the shut down. I haven't seen it myself however. Make sure the grounds are good. Also go over all the fuses under the hood. Check the air filter too. Do the simple obvious stuff first. Also the throttle position or APPS can give trouble but usually is preceeded by other symptomes , lack of throttle response and power are a couple.

Have you had any "dead pedal" symptoms.?? Nothing happens when you step on the pedal. How about hard starts either hot or cold?? Lack of power???

Sudden shut down is usually bad news. ie the injector pump has failed. It's possible that the crank position sensor has failed. Also along with this there is a thing called a "tone ring" bolted to the crankshaft that provides the tooth wheel for the crank position sensor to read. This can come loose or even fall off. It's rare but it does happen. Tombstone for the CPS is P0336, RIP for the injector pump usually reads P0216 and or P1688.

Changing the fuel filter without a very good reason in a situation like this can cause problems in itself. Even the best guys have changed a fuel filter and got a no start afterwards due to air getting in the system. It's usually a matter of bleeding the injector lines but with a sudden shut down you now don't know whether there is simply air in the system or a more serious problem unless you were able to get it to start before the shut down. Even fuel at the injectors is not the end all.

Again fill out the sig and some other will chime in.

good luck

 

Thanks for the info.

We made sure the system wasn't airlocked. Plenty of fuel.
All the easy stuff. It appears that what we feared and what you mentioned is the cause. It is throwing a P1688 code. I think it is time for a new pump. Any recommendations as to where and or what to replace it with? How about any installers in the Central PA area? I know a guy in Dallastown / Redline area that knows these trucks very well. Any help on the replacement and parts would greatly be appreaciated.

Thanks
Jared

 

Got mine from Midwest Fuel injection. About $1100 It's and easy job about 4 hours taking your time. If you can turn wrenches at all it's pretty straight forward. Do a search and you should be able to find a thread with the tools needed. Nothing unusual. Be sure to add a fuel pressure gage so you can monitor the lift pump. It's like a stethescope to a doctor. haha

 

Yes, it does sound like the VP44 died.

 

Mine did the same thing as your vp44. I had fuel at the head but just a little. I got my pump form Columbus diesel in Columbus Ohio. They got me one for $1100 and a one year warrenty. The web site is http://www.columbusdieselsupply.com/. Im in the middle of Ohio. Id help ya if I lived closer. I just put mine on last month and its pretty simple.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the help guys. I have a VP44, lift pump, filter, and hardware coming from Mid Western Fuel Injection for 1207.52 delivered. One year warranty. I also have a puller and instructions coming from Blue Chip Diesel. I can't justify the upgraded VP44 that he has so I am just going to do the OEM VP44. Bet your life that I am going to put in a low fuel pressure sensor in this time.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[QUOTE=jdr160;1492981] Bet your life that I am going to put in a low fuel pressure sensor in this time.QUOTE]

I hope you mean a fp gauge.

 

Where at in central Pa? I'd recomend a SHOVP44.

 

Here is the instructions you need. I have much the same but in a much larger file with pictures.
http://www.nwbombers.com/membersites/kent/vp44.html

Get set of metric crow foot wrenches from harbor freight. It will make getting the #6 line off much easier than the standard stubby wrench. You'll need a small mirror and pencil magnet to get the nut and washer off the IP. Possibly the shaft key. DON'T DROP ANY OF THESE or you will be very .

good luck.

 

Thanks guys for all your help and comments. I put the new reman VP44 injection pump, fuel lift pump, fuel filter, and a low pressure fuel light installed from BD diesel. Everything went well but I can say that some hardware to remove the injection pump is a pain to get to. While I was at it i changed the air filter (BHAF Napa 2790). Back to good as new.

Thanks again.

 

93K miles. Isn't it still under warranty?

 

A 99 still in warranty? At this point I hope not.

 

My 99 CTD shut down the other day for no apparent reason. Almost identical symptoms as jdr described in the first post. fuel gauge read 1/4 and quit.. I've run out of fuel in the past and I know the needle is off.

I put fuel in, bled the system and got it to start after a couple hours messing around. Here is the problem...

When my battery charger/booster is hooked up [cause I ko'd the batteries], the truck starts but there is no throttle response. Well, when I push the throttle to the floor I get maybe a 200 RPM jump, thats it. As soon as I remove the booster cables, the RPM's drop under 500, and 30 seconds later it quits. My connections are clean and the batteries were new October 06.

Does anyone have any suggestions? The check engine light came on today while I was trying to get the truck running.

What kind of code reader should I purchase, and is there an electrical part that I am missing that will cure the problem? Or is it the fatal fuel pump...

I have transfer pump pressure at the banjo fitting, and high pressure at the injectors. Any advice is much appreciated.

Thank you

 

"A 99 still in warranty? At this point I hope not."


100K warranty? He should have 7000 miles left.