VP44 Injection Pumps Dodge

The Bosch Dodge VP44 diesel injection pump for 1998.5 - 2002 Dodge 5.9L Cummins 24V is a workhorse of a pump, but they are prone to a few problems. If you are experiencing intermittent hard starting and white smoke, then there may be an electrical problem with the Electronic Diesel Control unit (EDC) module on top of the pump which is caused by heat and vibration. The EDC cannot be replaced, so an EDC failure will require pump replacement. Also, severe internal pump damage can occur if fuel supply pressure drops to 5psi or lower, especially under heavy loads or high rpm's. When this happens, you may notice low power or it may seem like the engine won't rev up the way it should. Eventually the diaphragm in the front of the VP44 will rupture. This results excessive vibration of the timing piston which then causes damage to the front cover of the injection pump. (DTC #P0216) Also, the head & rotor in the pump may seize resulting in a "no start" condition. Dodge acknowledged this issue by replacing the supply pump on the the engine with a tank mounted supply pump. This is a costly replacement for below average results, especially if you have made any performance modifications such as a tuner or hi-performance injectors. The best way to deal with this problem is by replacing the factory fuel supply pump with an AirDog or FASS supply pump such as a FASS DDRP for stock engines, or a FASS Titanium for modified engines. A FASS system will supply constant pressure under any load to the injection pump, virtually eliminating VP44 damage due to low fuel pressure.