Stop Engine Light Warning

[Mr V]

I'm in West Virginia on route to Florida, this morning when I started the engine the stop engine warning light came on. I shut down and waited a few minutes and tried again, same result, oil pressure and all other gauges show normal, went outside to see if there was any evidence of a problem, there is a clicking sound from behind the radiator about every 10 seconds like a clutch engaging.

With the engine running for about 5 minutes the light went out and everything runs normal. this also happened yesterday morning in PA. The outside temperature was about 40 degrees F, I'm wondering if I could be low on coolant or something of that nature? During the day the engine starts and runs normally.

[GaryKD]

Hi Mr V,
Did you have the engine heater on overnight? If not, try turning it on as you go to bed. Low coolant cold also be the cause.

If your not used to starting the coach in 40 degree weather, I'd do nothing and see if it continues as you get to warmer weather. I know my coach does not like cold weather. Any unique symptoms that show up in cold weather almost always go away as I get closed to home (South Florida).

[Mr V]

Thank You for your reply, I did plug in the block heater and the warning light did not come on, I suspect that you are correct that the colder weather is the reason, although I am surprised that 40 degrees would effect it! The stop engine light instills fear of something severe. I would like to understand more about this should it happen again.

[Steve Ownby]

Your engine may also have an intake fuel heater grid. Do you have a "wait to start" light? If so be sure to wait until the light goes out to turn the key.

[wa8yxm]

Describe engine please.. Fuel, Size, Make, Model.

[Mr V]

The engine is a Cummins Diesel 400 ISL and yes I always wait for the wait to start light to go off before starting the engine.

Thank You for the reply!

[dons2346]

You do not need the block heater at 40 degrees.

I would check the coolant level as a low level will cause the check engine light to come on and it can cause the motor to shut down.

[GaryKD]

Hi dons2346,
Your post may be true for you, but not everyone. My engine is quite persnickety when it come to cold weather. The block heater help quite a bit.

[RickO]

I have the same engine and got the Stop Engine light one morning while climbing the Grapevine near LA. After having it towed 40 miles to a Cummins shop we learned it was just low coolant.

good luck

Rick

[bluepill]

Yep, make sure that the level is correct in BOTH the radiator and the expansion tank when cold. A bad radiator cap can create a problem with coolant not getting back from the the expansion tank to the radiator on cool down.

[Perry White]

Make sure you have the update for your Cummins ECM. All of them had a update to cure the low coolant and EGR limits changed. They are a warrant-able update.(That means they shouldn't charge you for it). But most due.