Driveabilty issues and codes p0216 and p0382

[Twistr71]

On my recent trip ran into problems that caused me to turn around and head home

Very low power and limped it from Indianapolis to missouri  got within 40 miles and died out no restart. Found lift pump hardly pushing any fuel. Got towed to house and investigated.

Found in tank fuel pump screen plugged

Cleaned and retested- still poor

Put another in tank pump and filter.  don't have $ for better system at this time

My pressure gauge won't read   cheap hf kit

But definate  improvement in flow and pressure

No lite on dash

But scanner came up with p1689. P0216 and p0382

Did the W-T ground mod and the p1689 went away

Still have low power 

Seems to run better when cold

Starts fine  idles smooth. Doesn't miss or skip

Found bad connection between batteries- was only starting on drivers battery- fixed

Starting to think ecm may be problem 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Me78569]

P0216 is normally always a bad vp.

 

Look up the codes in our article database and run through the tests.

[Tractorman]

 

From the FSM....

 

P0216 (M) Fuel Injection Pump Timing Failure High fuel supply restriction, low fuel pressure

 

P0382 (M) Intake Air Heater Relay #2 Control Circuit

Problem detected in #2 air heater solenoid/relay circuit (not

heater element)

 

@Twistr71, have you tried to clear the codes?  You should verify lift pump fuel pressure at the inlet port of the VP44.  You should have at least 6 psi at idle if it is a factory retrofit in-tank lift pump.  This pressure is adequate to charge the inlet of the VP44.  Some will say that you must have at least 14 psi under all operating conditions, but I do not agree. There is a gear pump inside the VP44 that pushes fuel over the 14 psi overflow valve under all operating conditions.  

 

Hopefully, the P2016 code was caused by the fuel restriction and no damage has occurred to the VP44.  It is possible that the timing piston has be damaged.

 

- John

[Twistr71]

Tried clearing codes  will come back after a few minutes

Yes factory in tank pump upgrade

Plenty of fuel going into pump

Probably the VP. 

Will check wiring when I get a chance

 

 

 

[Mopar1973Man]

What is your fuel pressure? (Idle and WOT at highway speed)

 

Fuel pressure should be 14 to 20 PSI for optimal performance. Below 14 PSI the overflow valve closes cooling and lubing stops. 

 

P0380 or p0382 are grid heater failures. Check the small wires for damage or disconnected. If nothing found then the solenoids should be replaced. There is a open circuit on the small wire side typically. 

[Evan]

Tractor man is right on.

 

My truck ran fine at 4psi idle. Though I was scared so I did fuel system.

 

Would be curious to hear more on gear inside the vp44 that pushes fuel over the 14psi port.

 

So much information out there on these trucks. 

[Mopar1973Man]

Don't rely on the the internal vane pump. Not a sizeable volume pump.

[dripley]

While I do prescribe to the 14 to 20 psi, I have seen several folks here who do not and seem to get by just fine. Many years back, after I became the proud owner of an in tank pump, I started having bucking and dead pedal issues. I took it to a reputable shop where I was working at the time and the only thing they could find was low fuel pressure. 5 at idle and pretty much 0 at WOT. I added a booster pump with the in tank one and the issues went away. So for that reason I will stick with the 14 to 20 for my peace of mind.

 

I know the VP will pull its own fuel. Mine current pump has done that very thing thru 2 lift pump failures. Not sure how long I drove it after loosing pressure, but I had to purposely drive it both times on a limited basis till the new pump arrived.

[Royal Squire]

Mine will not run without lift pump so I suspect some of the pumps within vp are more reliable than others. 

[Mopar1973Man]

My last AirDog failure I was at zero fuel pressure (rotor locked fuse blew) and capable of driving city streets no problem with a completely dead lift pump. Still had it towed home to not damage the VP44. 

 

VP44 FAILURES

#1 - 48k miles P0216 code fuel pressure at 8 PSI

#2 - 243k miles P0216 code and good fuel pressure 17 PSI

#3 - Currently running.

[Tractorman]

6 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

VP44 FAILURES

#1 - 48k miles P0216 code fuel pressure at 8 PSI

#2 - 243k miles P0216 code and good fuel pressure 17 PSI

#3 - Currently running.

3

VP44 failures:

 

#1 - 87,000 miles P0216 code, fuel pressure 12 psi at idle and 7 psi at WOT at 2500 rpm during many test drives before replacement.  Dealer replaced VP44 and installed in-tank lift pump under warranty.  New lift pump fuel pressure 6 psi at idle and 3 psi at WOT at 2500 rpm during test drive.

 

215,000 miles - retest lift pump pressures - still reading the same under the same test conditions.

 

249,000 miles - install Smarty S03

 

251,000 miles - remove in-tank lift pump and install used frame mounted FASS DRP-02 lift pump - 12 psi at idle and 6 psi at at WOT at 2000 rpm during test drive.  I performed this work because I wanted an easy roadside repair in case of lift pump failure.

 

303,000 miles - install RV275 injectors

 

325,000 miles - currently still running 2nd VP44 injection pump and same used FASS DRP-02 frame mounted lift pump.

 

I do expect to have a VP44 injection pump failure sometime in the near future as the VP44 now has logged 228,000 miles.  Who knows, maybe it will last much longer.  Probably, the mandated 5% bio-diesel in Oregon has helped with the pump's longevity.  I have never had a lift pump failure.

 

- John

 

     

 

[Royal Squire]

I’ve never had a lift pump failure, it’s when my ECM failed and didn’t activate lift pump that I discovered mine wouldn’t run without it 

[dripley]

1 failure at 75k. New pump courtesy of Dodge. No lift pump. Did not know squat about yhe fuel system back then. I was content with the no cost to me part.

 

1 lift pump failure at 150k. Received the in tank pump at my cost, $1000. Thats when I realized it would not run with a failed lift pump. I do not what fuel pressures I was seeing at this time either. So began my education. 

 

About 175k started having bucking and dead pedal issues and found a low pressure issue, 5 at idle 0 at WOT. Fixed that with a booster pump and the issue cleared up but figured from what I had learned the VP had taken damage.

 

At 217k I had a major failure that was over my head. Replced the 2nd VP at this time. Turned out to be the ECM instead. Dont how long the 2nd VP might have lasted. It saw idle pressure around 13 psi at idle on a test gauge.

 

Now at 485k with the third pump for 268k on it. Added the AD not long after the pump install. It has seen 14+ psi almost all its life with 2 stroke oil. I have also run a good bit bio blend thru mine, 5% to 20%. The truck likes it. Though the higher blend at 20% will knock off about 1 mpg. I do believe its good for the VP but have no proof.