A few days ago the fuel guage stopped working (not a clue as to why...????)on my 2001 3500 manual trans dually...it was registering a quarter tank, but I ran out of fuel. It was difficult to crank but after bleeding the injector lines it cranked right up and ran fine. This happened 3 miles from the OK-TX state lines (texola, OK). Spent the night there in a campground & ran on into Laramie, WY during the next 2 days without a hitch. I drove the truck about 90 miles yesterday, up thru the snowy mountain range...no problem.

About an hour ago I went out to crank the truck and while I was waiting for the "wait to start" light to go out, I heard a "little poof-pop", not very loud, but "different" from anything I have heard b4. Didn't think much about it, the engine cranked right up and ran for about 20-30 seconds then died instantly, no sputter or anything. I have tried to start it several times and it will not hit a lick...! It sounds EXACTLY like it did when trying to start it after running out of fuel. I KNOW there is plenty of fuel in the tank as I have only 166 miles since filling the tank. I have ran the p-code diagnostics several times and each time nothing shows up...it just says P-Done.

Fortunately I am sitting in a camping spot in Laramie (the fairgrounds for those who might be familiar). Does anyone have any idea b4 I call the dodge dealer in the morning and have it towed 50 miles to Cheyenne...!!!

Any help would be appreciated....!
chuck west

 

Traveler767,

I don't know what the problem is, but I would crack the injector lines again and make sure fuel is flowing. Once I go beyond the lift pump, fuel filter and water separater, and fuses, I am lost. Wish I could offer you more.

Tom

 

Tom...that's exactly what I am planning to do when the sun gets a little lower. It's pretty hot out there right now...! If I crack the lines and there is no fuel coming out I know I have A PROBLEM. I sure wish I had not run it completely out of fuel...that may have lead to the current problem. But the fuel guage & the trip computer "conspired" to mislead me. The fuel guage was showing a quarter tank and the trip computer said I could go another 98 miles. It ran out 3 miles from my destination for the day which was a campground with a fuel stop...where I had planned to refill as soon as I got there so I would be ready for the next morning. I can't believe I ran another 800 miles with no problem and there is still some air in the lines...but I certainly plan to check that out in a little while. I will let ya know if it works...! Keep your fingers crossed...!!!!

 

If I was closer I would be right there for ya. I wonder if you heard a relay get too hot and pop (just throwing out a guess).

 

Unless you're under warranty, DON"T TOW IT TO A DODGE DEALER! I just had my VP replaced in Grand Junction, Colorado for a cool $1,000 LESS than the dealer wanted. Find a diesel shop in the area, and they can probably fix it. If you can find someone to do it and they don't have one (or whatever the part is) have it shipped to you over-night to the campground. I hope it's just your fuel pump.

 

Cope....I did think of the relay. I pulled the cover off the box right there beside the battery on the drivers side and every things looked good...for whatever that's worth. Nothing looked burned/blown or out of place unless there's something else in another place. I sure hate going to a dealer out of town...even the ones at home tend to rob you every time you have to go in (so I hear) I haven't needed much work done on mine so far.

We are heading over to the Fort Bridger camp ground in a week or 10 days...planning to do some atv ridin' over that way b4 going on into Utah...that will be much closer to ya....! providing the cost of this repair don't turn us around and send us home.... Thanks for the suggest...!
chuck

 

Crobtex...thanks for the info...! I really do hate to go to a dealer. I am looking for alternatives. I am camped at the fairgrounds and they have a lot of diesel powerd equip around here. It all belongs to Albany county, but surely there is some body who works on diesel's in this town...!!! The fairground mgr seems to be a very nice guy...will try to contact him early in the AM and see if he knows of someone. The dealer will certainly be my last resort....thanks again...!!!!
chuck

 

I lived in Laramie for a bit and went by that dealership two or three times and every time i left wanting to kill someone. The people that own that dealership and work there were always rude to me and really dont know too much about working on diesels. All they really know is how to use there computers and thats about it. There are better shops in town but im sorry that I cant remember there names. I know that if you head north out of town on 287 and take a left at the last stop light past pizza hut im pretty sure that the street name is CURTIS ST. After you cross the tracks you will see several shops on the left and thats the only people in town that i would trust with my truck. If not you can always try the WYO TECH Diesel school west of town off of 130. Hope you can get running. If you need a bar let me suggest the COWBOY i think it on 2nd street down town. Let me know how it goes.

 

I just done a quick search and came up with this place. If he can't do it, he can probably point you in the right direction.

 

Thanks crobtex....don't know why I didn't think of that. Guess when you are in a situation like this you don't think all that clearly.
Thanks again
chuck

 

I would go riding with you but I don't own an atv, only horses. I hope you get something figured out that doesn't not spoil your trip.

 

Have you checked to see if you have any fuel yet? I was thinking maybe you could loosen the banjo at the ip and bump the starter to see if the lp is pumping any fuel, might be able to determine if it's the vp or the lp. If you can't find anyone to get the work done I can come over friday afternoon, I get off work at 11 am if the short week goes good.

Forgot to add:

I am going to bed as I rise at 4 am, I will check back tomorrow at work.

 

Thanks cope....would be glad to have ya if we make it over that way. If we do get there we will probably stay a month at the campground. We stayed a month last summer but we had scooters with us and rode the paved roads, sheep creek canyon area, flaming gorge, etc. This time we are hoping to ride the back woods. First things first though...got to get clyde running again. Have been very lucky with him...in over 7 years/68k miles this is the first problem...so guess I can't complain too much. We come to the evanston walmart for groceries about every other week while in ft bridger.

 

Several thoughts. DO NOT have it towed to Cowboy Dodge in Cheyenne!! Trust me. Second, it sounds like you may have fried the VP44 when it ran out of fuel since it didn't get the necessary lubrication. Finally, give WyoTech a call. They are only a couple miles north of you on 287. Premier diesel school. If they can't help you diagnose/fix, they should be able to tell you where to go for service.

 

I agree with Steve. The only time you go the that dealer is if you still have a warranty left. Unless you have an arm and a leg to spare. I know a couple of mechanics there that I would trust, but the dealership as a whole is oddly run. There's quite a few diesel shops here in town. Mostly they work on big rigs but they might take care of you.