Greetings: [that's how the old draft notices began for those of us old enough to recall!]

After the demise of my venerable 1988 Dodge work truck, I joined the Cummins Diesel club by purchasing a 1996 12V 5-speed truck from an older gentleman.

A good fishing buddy, who has a 98' 24V, warned me about the necessity of installing an LED low fuel pressure warning light to indicate the untimely event of a lift supply pump failure. I noted, however, that of the low fuel pressure installation kits I saw, they were all intended for the the 1998 1/2 plus year Cummins that used a VP 44 model injection pump, rather than the P7100 model on my 12V 1996 model.

If the lift supply pump indeed fails on my 12V with the P7100 injector pump, is there the same resulting expensive catastrophe as with the latter model 24V Cummins with the VP44 model pump? Would an early warning LED low fuel pressure light save the P7100 model pump from an expensive replacement? If so, would an LED dash-mount warning light be the best option or would an actual column post mounted fuel pressure gauge be an easier install?

Thanks for the help!

Regards,

Steve Baldridge
Edmonds, Wa. -

just get a gauge

I think if the L/P fails on a 12 v then the truck will just quit -

Whit's Sig:

* 01 Cummins/Dodge/HO/6 speed*275 injectors*PDR 35 turbo w/14cm housing & high pressure boots*HTT 3 piece ported exhaust manifold*Progaurd 7 with prefilter*Edge Comp*Fass II*Southbend con OFE*Jacobs brake*5"Stacks Big ens*E/F shift knob w/2low & brake switch*10 Gages*KW Ram air System cab controlled*Rickson 19.5x265's*True speed calibrator*Rancho 9000's*DT track bar*DSS steering stabilizer*KW Side impact rails*KW Traction Bars*Toolbox/fueltank 60 gal Combo*Mag High Tech Diff Cover*Ranchand bumpers*Grover air horns*Rear Wheel Cylinder Upgrade DYNO 375 Horse 941 Torque

Always remember...when life hands you Lemons,ask for Tequila and Salt and call me over!

Not nearly the problem on a 12V that it is on a 24V. On a 24V the injector pump is cooled and lubed by the fuel. If the lift pump fails on a 24V, the injector pump can overheat and will eventually become damaged due to lack of fuel pressure (this is a laymens explanation - of course there are other factors that can come into play).

The P-7100 pump in your truck is essentially lubed by engine oil. So a light/guage is not mandatory - but the guage is a good idea. The guage is a good troubleshooting tool and really should be on a 12V too. If you want/need more info just ask or do a simple search.

Welcome to the site BTW.



Also, the light would not work well because a 12V makes a lot more fuel pressure than the 24V - this range is incorrect for a 12V. -

Dr. Evil's Sig:

98 12V quad cab 4X4 AND 2001 24V quad cab 4X4

I would suggest a quality guage to help more than a low fuel pressure light. other guages would help greatly as well if you wanted to know the vital signs of the engine.

please fill out your sig. so we know what you have.

PS welcome to the site hope you like your stay -

440ctd's Sig:

96 2500 cummins 5.9L 12 auto trans. ,guages: pyro, boost , studed and ringed head, super HX40 turbo, stock injectors, exhaust: 4in downpipe 5in to muffler 6in tail end, silencer ring taken out.
79 ford f150 400ci 4in sus. 3in body 38" tsl's

yup... get a gauge. -

FYI...the truck will still run and drive if the LP dies....mine ran for quite a while with a dead LP. -

Dusterb318's Sig:

-Phil-98 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4,12V,47RE Suncoast Billet input shaft, Suncoast H/D Extreme Trans kit, Goerend Triple disc converter, FASS 150/90, FASS Suction tube, Amsoil Ea air and pre-filter, 100 plate, 4K GSK, 370's, AFC Mods, CoolerTubz intake, 5" stacks, BD-SBS, Autometer Z-series Pyro/Boost/Trans/FP, Amsoil front to back.
'73 Plymouth Duster -318/904- 11.85@117