I haven't even started on mine and it all seems just overwhelming. I mean i have been reading all these threads on check the pre-filter, fuel plate contact, injection pump, waste gate, transfer pump, IAT sensor, Lift pump, pin-holes in fuel lines, a/c sensor rubbing on high pressure lines, etc..... for possible solution to my problem. My truck has about 115K. It just started this past weekend and i have been putt-putt'n around town ever since. It seems to do fine at 50 mph, but then starts to act up at about 60mph, which i might add that the transmission does not shift into gear, then the white smoke starts to come out, the putt'n begins, i ease-up on the pedal, transmission shifts gear, press on the pedal, truck runs fine, no or little white smoke, but then as i try to accelerate it starts all over. As soon as i slow down and try to accelerate, the process starts all over again. The truck has not stalled out on me yet(knock on wood), but i fear it will happen pretty soon. It has not been cold out in the west coast enough to have the fuel gel on me, therefore i have ruled that out. I added some fuel injector additive, but truck is still putt'n. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

Have you tried to pull codes? What's your fuel pressure. Original VP44?

Edit: You can try the the key on/off three times deal to see if you get any codes.

 

Thank you for your reply.
I do not have the proper instruments to read fuel pressure. It is the original stock VP.
I retrieved the code as instructed. The code that it gave me was P1693. I looked it up in the internet and it reads "Fault generated in the companion engine control module". Does that seem right to you? If so, what does that mean? Thanks for your help!

 

P1693 is a companion code which basically says there is a code stored in the ECM. Might want to take the truck down to an Advance Auto or Auto Zone to have them pull the codes with a scanner.

Fuel pressure is and important thing to monitor, if your lift pump dies without your knowledge it can take the Vp44 with it. You might find someone in your area who has access to a fuel pressure test gauge to see what's going on.

White smoke and the other symptoms you listed sound like the vp44 is going to take a dirt nap. IMO

Good luck.

 

Last year i had the same problem but not as extreme. It quickly went away within a week after adding fuel injector cleaner into the gas tank. I re-filled the tank many times with no problems since then and have not had a problem until now. I have a dumb question, since the code was stored, has the problem re-surfaced as a result of the ECM program cycling? If so, will the problem fix itself until the program cycles, therefore giving me the same problem at a later time?

Will the scanner readings tell me what component went bad (VP44 or lift pump) or will it send me on a wild goose chase by trial and error?
Thanks for listening

 

I tried to pull the codes with a scanner, but came up clean. No codes were found, which leads me to believe that there is nothing wrong. Is this correct? I am going to check out the fuel pressure today and will keep you updated. Is there anything else i should look out for? thanks

 

Correct, yes, to an extent.

Must remember though, there are some codes that can only be seen with the official high $$ Dodge only DRB scan tool.

Codes will clear themselves after X number of clean engine starts with the problem no longer there.
the 1693 gets left behind, since there isn't a "problem" to not be there anymore.
The number X is dependent on the severity of the code, I.E., an ABS code will take more clean starts then a "Battery temperature sensor" code, before it goes away on it's own.

Usually if something is bad enough to set a code, it really doesn't go away on it's own, a sensor or whatever the sensor is monitoring needs to be fixed.
Exception would be the P0500 speed sensor code which can easily be thrown by spinning the tires, then will go away on its own, it doesn't set a 1693 though.

If you aren't noticing anything amiss, I wouldn't worry too much, maybe check for the code coming back every now and then.


phox

 

Phox,
Thanks for your feedback. I have been hesitating to do anything to the truck for fear of messing something else up. I want to be sure and isolate the problem not create another. I guess the only way to figure out what is really going on is to take it in to get scoped. oh well, . What kind've damage can i do with checking the fuel pressure? It seems that everyone that has checked it, has a problem with start up. What do i need to look out for in case this happens?

 

Should be pretty safe to check the pressure, and reccomended.
You need to check it not only at idle, but under load, not just flooring it in neutral, but actually on the road.

Idle should be no lower than 10-11, under load, no lower than 5-6, many prefer more than that.

Any pressure guage 0-30psi, length of tubing long enough to run to the cab, or tape to the windshield, and an A/C type fitting that will screw onto the schraeder valve on the injection pump (should have a black cap on it now).

I don't think it's been mentioned what year truck you are dealing with though?


phox

 

My truck was manufactured in 2000, but sold as a 2001.

I have not checked the fuel pressure line, but now that you have given me some parameters, i will be testing it today.
As you mentioned, the code went away as i made multiple clean engine starts. I am still having problems with white smoke and engine stalling when i am driving, particularly uphill or when the motor is under a load. I believe the problem has not gone away. I was going to take in to the dealer this week. If i do, since the code went away(p1693), will the dealer scanner still retrieve the codes, which will diagnose my problem?

on a side note, i took my truck into the dealer on saturday and asked if they can run a diagnostic on it. He asked me what was wrong with it, I then told him that it gave me a P1693 code, when i turned the key 3 times. (he had this wierd look on his face, like how did you know about that?) His attitude changed and then told me that they had too many "check engine light" problems on their plate so i would have to take it back another day and leave it until they found out what was going on. I find it funny because he was willing to check my truck that day until i mentioned that it gave me a code. I guess he figured i was under their mercy for information. I just wanted to get a diagnostic. Is it possible that any shop can retrieve these codes? or does it have to be a dodge dealer specific scanner?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Oh yeah, and thanks for the information, without it, these guys would walk all over me. Knowledge is power!

 

I'd have to say the Dodge specific scanner.
Problem is, most scanners out there only talk to the PCM, which is fine for 98% of the vehicles out there.
In our trucks we have the PCM (just like everybody else), but also have the Cummins ECM which handles all the engine controls,
in most other vehicles, the PCM handles the engine control.

In most cases, the PCM does just fine relaying the codes to the key on/off method, or the scanner,
but often, it doesn't understand what the ECM is telling it, thus the P1693 code.

On top of all that, you could have problems that don't set a code, I.E., my VP44 started dying 2 months after I bought the truck, new, 3 trips to the Dealer before they experienced the problem, no codes were ever present.


phox

 

Update!

okay, finally took it to the dealer yesterday to get it diagnosed. They tell me that the lift pump went bad, which was nothing new to me, thanks to those that replied to this thread. Tried to get me to buy into the conversion kit as well($1,050). Paid him for his diagnostic services and putted out of there. As far as any codes, none were found, something about engine light needs to be on in order to retrieve anything. Seems like de-ja-vu. I thought i heard it on one of these posted threads.

When i install the new LP, will i have problems when the ECM cycles thru at a later time and gives me the P1693 code once again? Or would it correct itself? Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

FYI, Dieselmanor has DiPricol fuel pressure guages for $17:

http://www.dieselmanor.com/dipricol/...vreduction.asp

There is NO reason NOT to have one...

 

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

Installed the LP this weekend and all the environmentalists are all smiles here in california. No more white smoke, no more stalling, no more putt'n around town. Thanks again for the replies.