450 ISM (2006) has NO Power on Hills

[Doc Mark]

I had this problem on the trip up this spring, and I thought maybe I got a bad batch of diesel and clogged the fuel filter.

So, I got a new one and changed it day before yesterday. Left for home today and still bogs down on hills. Speed drops to 35-40 with the turbo pulling 37 inches, drops off to about 25 and then shoots up to 36, 37 again.

I checked the air filter gauge and it looks OK. I'll check it again tomorrow AM.

Any ideas?

Mark

[Skip426]

Mark, you may have already thought of and checked for this; any chance you have a second , hidden filter on screen in the system?

[Doc Mark]

Not that I know of but Cummins is getting a call tomorrow AM.

Thanks Skip

Mark

[Steve Ownby]

Mark,

You most likely have a second fuel filter. Cummins supplies the secondary filter which is mounted on the curb side of the engine. The primary filter is mounted by the chassis builder & I assume is either Spartan or Freightliner. Either the chassis builder or Newmar should be able to tell you the location & filter # if you provide your chassis #. Your Cummins ISM is an EGR engine & they can cause strange power problems.

[ottffss]

Me thinks Cummins will point you back to the chassis mfg for filter setup.
The ISM in a K2 is a single filter setup no screen (Fleetguard FS-1242B B for bulb on the bottom).

I'll call a possible EGR foul. Get a Cummins code pull and see of there is an informatory level code (as opposed to dash warning code) being generated. BTDT

I hope you are pushing 37 PSI and not inches..... ;-)

The boost is rpm/load/elevation/gear dependent. Roughly - below 1500rpm and WOT at lower elevations and upper gears you'll hold upper 30's on the PSI, then it downshifts and it'll drop to upper 20's PSI. So all that sounds normal.

What kind of hill you taking? A 5mile slog up a 7% at 6,000ft and 38-42mph sounds right on to me?

PS Is your air filter OK????

[Doc Mark]

ottffss - Just called Cummins, and they have a center 18 miles from where I am. They will get me in today or tomorrow at the latest. You are right, PSI, not inches. Air filter reads OK. Elevation not more than 750 feet and not a long hill, just maybe 4% grade for 1.3 miles. This shouldn't be happening.

It did it last year too but when I took it in to the Cummins dealer at home he said the codes were all OK. I think I had run the engine too long on flat land after the problem & the codes were erased.

Mark

[Perry White]

Once the code is in the ECM it stays there until they are reset. If you have Cummins read your ECM with the Insite program,and they reset all inactive and active faults, make sure you get a paper or PDF copy so you can tell who did what and when. Just tell them you want a copy of the WORK ORDER.

[Doc Mark]

Appt. with Cummins at 8 AM tomorrow. Tech says it sounds like it is being derated for some reason.

Mark

[Steve Ownby]

Mark,

Since you will be hooked up the their computer anyway, ask them to print out a dump of your ECM history. Then you will have it for future reference. There is lots of interesting stuff in there.

[Doc Mark]

And the winner is Steve Ownby! Faulty EGR differential pressure sensor. Six hours shop time. On the way back to the campground the smart wheel quits. No wipers, horn, headlight/running light flashers and no cruise control.

PS - the 450 ISM on the Spartan K2 chassis has only one fuel filter, and no screens.

Sigh . . . . .

[ottffss]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Mark ...Sigh . . . . .

What, were you possibly thinking that these rigs could possibly be error free for even a minute???? Silly boy....

Sorry to hear about the not-so-smart-now smart wheel failure.

PS if Cummins hooked their InSight to the under dash plug (instead of the one in the engine compartment), maybe, just maybe, they jostled a connector plug under there for the smart wheel?????? Might only take some contortionist moves under the dash to wiggle and tighten all connectors in that general area and the smarts might return....

[slickest1]

I had problems with my Smart wheel and checked all the plugs in the steering column and at the Smart wheel controller itself. My controller was under the dash behind the radio. I have a 01 Hr Imperial. Some have the controller in the outside compartment under the driver. seat. In researching the smart wheel I found it is recommended to unplug the controller and then replug it in. On mine just checking the plugs did something and it now works like it should. Mine was not completely dead but was causing the horn to honk and the wipers went nuts. I just googled smart wheel and got lots of info. there. Good luck.

[Doc Mark]

My Smart Wheel controller is in the basement under the drivers seat. A compartment prone to water intrusion - which screws up the controller - not a good design Newmar!

So, I checked the butt connector under the steering wheel, fiddled with the wires, and no joy. Went out and unplugged all the connectors at the controller, and using a needle driver, pushed each wire firmly into the plastic connector. The re-seated the connectors. Now all the items on the left side of the Smart Wheel work (horn, headlight flashers and cruise control). But no wipers and rain is in the forecast.

Well, nothing ever ventured, nothing ever gained. Took a wrench and banged on the controller at the 4 corners. Voila! Wipers work.

And now of course I have a dilemma. Do I keep the service appointment on Monday AM, or do I just head south and hope it stays working? Just because it is working now doesn't mean it will continue to do so. And Spartan heard my frustration and has agreed to cover all costs for the repair, even though the warranty is long gone. So I guess I head back north on Monday!

Thanks all for the suggestions. You guys are the best!

Mark

[Perry White]

Take and tape up the plastic wire bundle before it comes into the compartment. That will stop the water. It gets into the compartment threw the wires. Been there,done that.