2001 Cummins in a 2500 4wd quad, 67k miles, new transfer pump and filter. Engine cuts out at around 1900 PRM while under load (24'box trailer with my Duster in it.) Check codes and I'm getting a 0216 error which is a fuel injector pump timing error, brief explanation states high fuel supply restriction or low fuel pressure. What is the signifigance of this code and what steps should be taken to resolve. First notice the problem this spring after the truck sat all winter. Thanks.

I'm no cummins expert but I do mess around with them some. First I would install a fuel press guage and see what you have, if it's low then your lift pump is going out. Second I would check the transfer pump to make sure it's not a dud. I would also reccomend that you go to a cummins forum like this one www.dieseltruckresource.com .
I'm on there and there is a wealth of info on our dodge trucks.

If the lift pump died you may have hurt the injector pump...the pump may have been feeding it low fuel pressure for a while before it let go and caused damage to the injector pump. Best fix, after changing the injector pump, is to move the lift pump off the engine and as close to the fuel tank as possible. Just like on a drag car, electric pumps work best when pushing fuel, not sucking fuel from 5-6 feet away. Bad design, IMO, from the factory - putting the lift pump on the motor and not by the tank.

More than likely you had a weak lift pump and ran the truck below 8 PSI starving the Injection pump for fuel, as a result the injection pump is fried since it will start to "pull" fuel from the tank, through the dead lift pump and either burn up the pump due to excessive heat (the fuel cools the I.P.) or it burns up the circuit board. This is the weak point in this truck. As mentioned, get a fuel pressure gauge and check idle and WOT fuel pressure, if you are below 8 PSI at any time replace the lift pump with either a new Airtek pump (Oreilly's, the Original Carter is junk) or upgrade to a Raptor, Air Dog or FASS system. I just installed a new system on my truck (Raptor) took about three hours, incredible difference in power and I am pure stock, no box or anything. I run 15 PSI at idle, the lowest I can pull is 12.5 PSI and WOT. The new system will eliminate all the banjo fittings and upgrade to 3/8" fuel lines (Looks like you ran a water hose for a fuel system) and will keep the pump happy. While your at it, install the big line kit from the fuel filter to the injection pump, easy install and also a huge difference. If you have a fried IP it is anywhere from 900-1500 for the pump and about 8 hrs to install your first time, some shops will install for a decent price. The upgraded Fuel systems include everything needed and will run aroun 400-500, but you will not regret it when finished, the truck will be a like a new beast when finished. Good Luck.

BTW, don't go through Dodge for the I.P. try Midwest Injection, Vulcan Performance or even Blue Chip (Best on the market with upgrades, most expensive at around $1500) Pensacola Diesel etc, most of the others are in the $1000.00 range. The dealer pumps are expensive and often don't have the upgrades, all IP's on the market are rebuilds, they are not making them anymore, even the dealer Injection Pumps.

Like every one says check the fuel pressure. When you replaced the fuel filter (cannister type not the spin on)did you look into the cannister and see if it was full of metal? Make sure to clean it out. If you can check the psi at the shrader valve or top of the filter head, hold it to the floor and keep a eye on the pressure,if it stays constant and the truck starts smoking and logging check engine lights (Cummins code 368) it's the pump. If you see the pressure dropping off check for fuel restrictions or air.

Thanks for all the replies; very helpfull! I probably will not be able to check pressure until next weekend; once I do I will let you all know what I find.

VP44 is dead. Time fore a new injector pump.

My gut was telling me it was the VP44 but I was hoping maybe there was another culprit. I did move away from the Carter lift pump but did not go with a performace unit as suggested. I probably should spend the extra money and upgrade for insurance; don't want to have to go through this again.

When you replaced the Carter, did you move it back by the tank? IMO, it's not that the Carter pump is bad, it's the location from the factory - on the block, not back by the tank. If the new pump is located where the old one is you're asking for the same problems further down the road. Any electric pump, carter or not, will have problems working too hard to draw fuel from 5-6 feet away and keep doing so for years. I had a carter electric fuel pump on a 6 pak challenger mounted near the tank and it ran for over 20 years with no problems.