Dodge Diesel Question...

[jinman]

Here'some pic's of it ... its right in front of the plastic tank and has the yellow/orange plug. When you turn on the key you can here that baby running and when the engine is running you can feel it running. I guess it just keeps running ...

Could it be a vacuum pump? Check to see where the pipe is going. My '96 12 valve Cummins has a vacuum pump that is run by the engine, but you only really need enough vacuum for the power brakes, and AC actuators, so I'd think a little electric vacuum pump and an accumulator would be all you need. Diesels don't do intake vacuum like gasoline engines, so an aux vacuum pump of some kind is required for the brakes and AC.

 

[Dargo]

After driving a '96 Cummins powered Dodge for over 10 years, I'd certainly have the batteries checked, but I positively would not replace them unless they tested bad under a load. I had a similar problem and it was a bad starter motor; had absolutely nothing to do with the battery.

I had my batteries tested (don't trust my el cheapo Horrible Freight battery tester much) at an independent auto electric shop. Immediately after the batteries tested fine the guy who tested them said "It's your starter". Within an hour from the time I drove up, I'd had my batteries tested and had my starter replaced with a rebuilt unit and was out of there. I never had an issue again.

 

[Egon]

I had a similar problem and it was a bad starter motor; had absolutely nothing to do with the battery.

Me to!

It was a corroded cable right at the starter.

It finally broke off right in front of a Kubota Dealer. Took them maybe fifteen minutes to pull the starter, tighten the cable bolt and solder on a new cable end.

 

[kenmac]

Like most Dodge trucks, the part is there and just the wiring is optional. The block heater (I've been told) is on all diesel engines

On my 07 it's not there. Have remove plug in the block & add the heater

 

[blueriver]

Both batteries per the test needed replacing ... so I have 2 new ones and will see how the cold start is in the A.M.

jinman ... it is a vacum pump however they could not advise if it should be that loud and keep running. One guy at the auto parts store stated he would think there was a leak or the relay in it may be bad cause he didn't think it should continue to run ... advised me to talk to Dodge.

kenmac you are right that model does not have one, the wife needed walmart as I was waiting a Dodge parked next to me, I started a conversation which obviously headed to asking to look at his. An 07 and nothing ... next time I see an 04 I'll ask to see that one!!

Will let ya all know how my cold A.M. start goes.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I think what he was saying about the block heater is some years have them in the block and no wire going to them. You can get the wire if needed. Later years, they just left it out all together to save a few $$$$.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Here's some pic's of it ... its right in front of the plastic tank and has the yellow/orange plug. When you turn on the key you can here that baby running and when the engine is running you can feel it running. I guess it just keeps running ...

That unit is the vacuum pump that I believe is only used for the cruise control since they use the same vacuum operated cruise that the gas engines have. If it's constantly running then there is most likely a hole in one of the vacuum lines going to the cruise control servo. It's very difficult to see any holes without a good vacuum hand pump or smoke machine so either take them off and check them closely or just replace them. Their cheap and easy to get to. :thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

I think what he was saying about the block heater is some years have them in the block and no wire going to them. You can get the wire if needed. Later years, they just left it out all together to save a few $$$$.

Chris

Yes thats the way I read it. I messed with the lines on that pump. About 3 ft down there is a "T" its rubber and the hard line slips in, I didn't pull the line just pinched the soft "T" with a needle nose and the pump stops ... I assume I have a leak in the vacum line.

I am going to pull the lines at the "T" and see which direction I have to go to find the leak ... hope its not the one that goes thru the fire wall !!

It makes me wonder, cause everything is working on the truck, you would think if it was leaking something like maybe the cruise would not be working

 

[Dmace]

It makes me wonder, cause everything is working on the truck, you would think if it was leaking something like maybe the cruise would not be working

As long as that pump is running the cruise will work fine, BUT you are over-running that little pump and it will die much sooner than normal due to that leak if not fixed.

 

[blueriver]

As long as that pump is running the cruise will work fine, BUT you are over-running that little pump and it will die much sooner than normal due to that leak if not fixed.

Agreed ... so at that "T" one little line goes thru the Firewall ... hope that leak isn't in there!!

 

[jinman]

Agreed ... so at that "T" one little line goes thru the Firewall ... hope that leak isn't in there!!

I had an AC pneumatic actuator go bad and it leaked like a sieve. Do you have any AC functions with problems? Mine finally got so bad that my anti-skid brake alarm came on and stayed on due to lack of enough vacuum boost to the brakes.

 

[blueriver]

I had an AC pneumatic actuator go bad and it leaked like a sieve. Do you have any AC functions with problems? Mine finally got so bad that my anti-skid brake alarm came on and stayed on due to lack of enough vacuum boost to the brakes.

The new batteries cranked her over like a champ.... JINMAN ... it seems when one is looking for problems you get to wondering. I have never thought about the a/c functions, then today I thought it sure takes some time to change from the defrost function to the outside air function. BUT... I may be reading between the lines.

I had a complete estate liquidation auction today and didn't get a chance to mess with it .. I am hoping to work on it tomorrow.

BTW any auctions taking place in you part of the country???

 

[powerstroke444e]

I have an 04 and that is the vacum thing for the vent change and heater controls. My runs all the time or seems like it?

 

[scesnick]

My 05' didn't come with a block heater plug either. I dered one online and simply pluged it into the connector on the passenger side of the block. 2 minutes and now it starts great when it dips down to -20below... i believe i paid like $30 for the correct cord.

 

[blueriver]

Well I can not find a leak, when I pull the lines apart at the first T and plug it the pump stops, add the line to the dash or the line to the valve and it keeps running ... pulled the dash apart and nothing, pulled the other and nothing. Still waiting to stop beside another 04 to see if there's runs all the time.

I probably don't need the block heater as for the past several years the coldest it has gotten is 9 degrees above.

 

[Dmace]

By the sounds of it, you know the leak is after the T in the lines so as much as a pain as it may sound I would just replace the lines after the T. It's easier said then done but if you drive yourself crazy looking for a pinhole leak in one of the lines, you could have replaced both lines and saved the hassle.

Good Luck! :thumbsup:

 

[blueriver]

By the sounds of it, you know the leak is after the T in the lines so as much as a pain as it may sound I would just replace the lines after the T. It's easier said then done but if you drive yourself crazy looking for a pinhole leak in one of the lines, you could have replaced both lines and saved the hassle.

Good Luck! :thumbsup:

Your right ... I am sure you are aware of just how much dash has to be removed to find where it goes ... hoping its supposed to be this way!!

 

[blueriver]

I have an 04 and that is the vacum thing for the vent change and heater controls. My runs all the time or seems like it?

Well thats promising ... please do this for me. With the key in the hot position listen and hear if it is running and then start the truck and touch it and let me know if its still running.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I had a 2500 but with a Hemi in it. My Heater/AC control failed in mine. I am not sure but I think it was leaking vacuum. Its been years so you may want to ask.

It was not a diesel so it may be a totally different set up. Something to check on. Does your heat and AC work properly?

Chris

 

[KWentling]

I have an '04 Dodge diesel. The diesels use the power steering pump for the brake boost so no vacuum for that. Not sure if this is the same for the gas burners (I expect it is though), but I know the HVAC controls are electric (servos) and not vacuum on diesels starting with the '03s. Only thing I can think of that might still be vacuum is the cruise control. I don't remember seeing the pump you mention but I'll try to remember to take a look when it warms up a little here. We're kind of in a deep freeze right now.

Kim