Dreaded VP44

[5.7 hemi]

After taking my son to middle school registration this afternoon, we get in the truck and get a mile down the road and the engine quit! I'm saying to myself "WTF"! The cel came on, so I got it towed home on a flat bed, check the code and got p1688/9. Look those up and sure as ****, VP44!

The truck has 127xxx on it so I guess it was about time for it. I bought it from my grandpa with 117xxx and I've always put 1oz. of 2 stroke oil per gallon of fuel. FASS Titanium 150gph lift pump on it and don't hot rod it. But the inevitable did happen, so now I'm on the hunt for a rebuilt VP44.

When it rains, it pours!!! This is going to be fun replacing, lol!!!!

 

[Coronet 14]

This may help.
http://www.bluechipdiesel.com/injectionpumpfailures.html

 

[69clone]

I don't know if you're on any of the cummins forums or face book pages but I bet you'll find one pretty quick.

 

[5.7 hemi]

I don't hang belong to any of the Cummins or ram forums.

I'll find one by tomorrow and get it on the way. Should only take me a day or so to get it replaced.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Do you guys know how many grilles I'm going to have to do to replace this VP44? Lol!!

 

[Mike67]

That's wild... I have 350k on mine still trucking along... Check on EBay, you can find them there for $1k....
Are you sure it's the VP? I've never heard of one failing @ 120k..
Theres a way to run the codes using your odometer that should tell you what wrong...
I think you turn everything off and flip the key back and forth 3x leaving it on the 3rd time. Your odometer Will display any codes... It will probably be a P----. Just look it up..

 

[Mike67]

Cummins forum and Diesel Bombers are pretty good...

 

[5.7 hemi]

The P1688/9 is VP44. Looked those codes up, and that what I've found. I'll do more investigating tomorrow.

 

[Mike67]

The P1688/9 is VP44. Looked those codes up, and that what I've found. I'll do more investigating tomorrow.

Try this it speaks about that code...
http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/9...688-code-source.html#/topics/450368?_k=5lr7xb

 

[5.7 hemi]

Thanks!
Talked to a buddy and he also confirms that the VP44 is bad. Talked to my grandpa whom I bought the truck from and he said the original owner had the VP44 replaced at 60k for it was toast. So now that I have 127xxx on it, the second one only got 67k! Hmmm!

 

[Mike67]

2 pumps sounds odd....are you sure your lift pump is supplying enough pressure? Theres a test port on it (VP) you can hook a gauge to...iirc you need about 12-15 psi, but don't quote me on that...I'm sure someone here is an expert w/ 5.9s.
I expeierenced "dead pedal" on mine once and it ended up being my lift pump but I don't remember the code it threw. Luckily it was right around the corner from the house so I didn't overheat the VP....
What year is it? If no luck here I would find a reputable diesel shop to do some digging...Something just doesnt sound right...
Keep us posted! Good luck!!!

 

[5.7 hemi]

I have a Fass Titanium 150 on it, but no fuel pressure gauge (I need one). The code says it's an electrical failure in the pump, so a new pump is in order from what I've been reading.

 

[5.7 hemi]

It's a 99' 2500 4x4 club cab.

 

[Mike67]

Doesnt the Fass have an adjustable regulator? When my issue happened I read so many articles my head still hurts...but again if I remember correctly the low psi fuel is what cools the electronics in the pump...low flow could be the culprit...might be worth testing..

 

[5.7 hemi]

Ill get my instructions out on it and take a look.

 

[5.7 hemi]

The Fass pump is pre set to be 16-18 psi and is non adjustable.

 

[Richard Cranium]

 

[5.7 hemi]

Lol!!

 

[5.7 hemi]

My grandpa got the lift pump confused with the injection pump, so it was the lift pump that was replaced at the dealer and NOT the injection pump. So I'll be calling some places on Monday to order a new VP44, the gear puller tool (20 bucks) and a fuel pressure gauge that I can mount in the cab. When I get the parts, it should take me about 4-5 hours to remove/replace.......crossing my fingers on that, lol!

 

[Pistol Pete]

Often when the lift pump shits the bed it damages the injection pump in the process. My LP went out, was replaced under warranty and the IP soon followed, which was also replaced under warranty. This was at around 90K on the clock on an '02 quad cab. Shortly after I abandoned the stock LP put a Fass pump and fuel pressure gauge on it and never looked back. The truck now has 215K on it and runs right around 12psi.