Check engine and Stop engine warning on start up

[Bounderoo]

I have just experienced an issue starting my rig today. Upon starting, the usual alarms sound until air is up to minimum. However, the check engine light and stop engine light/alarm stayed on. I shut down and checked all fluids and found no issues. I restarted and the issue resolved itself for approx. 1 minute, then repeated. This happened numerous times. Then it stopped. I then drove the coach to an adjacent area for washing. Upon start up, it happened again.
Engine is Cummins ISB 300 Turbo
Just had oil service and fuel filter service completed <1000 miles.
Referenced all manuals for trouble shooting and have not ben able to find info.
Any Suggestions?

[Bounderoo]

I have just experienced an issue starting my rig today. Upon starting, the usual alarms sound until air is up to minimum. However, the check engine light and stop engine light/alarm stayed on. I shut down and checked all fluids and found no issues. I restarted and the issue resolved itself for approx. 1 minute, then repeated. This happened numerous times. Then it stopped. I then drove the coach to an adjacent area for washing. Upon start up, it happened again.
Engine is Cummins ISB 300 Turbo
Just had oil service and fuel filter service completed <1000 miles.
Referenced all manuals for trouble shooting and have not ben able to find info.
Any Suggestions?

[Pusherman]

Bounderoo -- welcome to irv2.com.

You don't say what year your coach is, but I had a similar problem on my '00 Journey with the ISB engine. In my case the check engine light came on while driving, and shortly thereafter the 'stop engine' light came on, which put the engine into an auto shut down.

Got towed to Cummins. Turned out to be the oil pressure sensor for the ECM computer. The sensor was bad. There was a problem with early sensors which were designed to measure a pressure level, where below a certain level the pressure switch would send a message to the ECM to shut the engine down.

It was replaced with a new design sensor which was an on/off sensor, and they reprogrammed the ECM to recognize this new sensor.

All along the oil pressure gauge registered normal on the dash -- there are 2 sensors, 1 for the gauge, and one for the ECM.

Not sure if this is your problem, but it's worth a check.

P.S. The ECM will capture an error code when these lights come on, which can be retrieved by a Cummins dealer, who can then diagnose your problem.

[Route 66]

Bounderoo, welcome to iRV2.

Hopefully you can soon get to bottom of this.

[Bounderoo]

Thanks for the reply. The coach is a 2003 Bounder and I also should have mentioned that it is COLD here today. Do not know if that had anything to do with it......

[Bounderoo]

SOLVED!!!!
Behold.... The coolant level was just barely below the sensor and that was the problem!

[Rnicfingrp]

Where do you check the coolant level on my Newmar 2000 Dutch Star?

Rnicfingrp

[GaryKD]

Hi Rnicfingrp,
Assuming you have a solid expansion tank (not one you can see through) the only accurate way, I know of, to check the coolant level is to get a straight stick of some kind (I use a metal coat hanger) and insert it into the tank via the opening at the top. The sensor is screwed into the tank, near the bottom. It will have a plug and wires coming out of it. Compare the coolant level on the stick to where the sensor is located. My coach runs with a level about 6 inches above the sensor. This leaves about 4 inches, of the tank, for expansion. If I put more coolant in, I think it just expands out the over flow tube. When ever I check the coolant, 6 inches above the sensor is where the engine likes the coolant level. Your coach may be different as to the coolant level above the sensor.

[AFChap]

The solid tank on my Cummins ISC has a little glass "bubble" on one side of the tank, about midway between bottom and top. Presumably, as long as you can see coolant in that bubble, the level is ok. Do the solid tanks on other Cummins engines not have the sight bubble??

[GaryKD]

Hi Paul,
The sight glass, for me, is not reliable. In my coach and the coaches in the clubs I belong to coolant can settle in the bulb and not drain as the coolant goes below the sight glass. In addition, the sight class can become discolored. I've checked too many coaches where one could not tell if there was coolant in the sight glass. If one sees coolant one does not know if it is residual coolant or the level is really above the glass. Putting something into the tank is the only way I have found to get an accurate reading.

[Rnicfingrp]

GaryKD,

I dropped by the RV earlier today and checked the coolant Surge Tank per your directions. When you remove the coolant cap, the coolant was full to the brim or just below the overflow tube. I had a 'bendable' straw (from Whataburger) and I blew thru the overflow tube to make sure it wasn't blocked and it wasn't. Do you think I have to much coolant in the tank? The Recovery Tank fluid level is about 1-1/2" above the 'min' level so I'm thinking I don't have a problem with having enough coolant in the system. Do you think the sensor is the problem? I guess I am going to have to bite the bullet and take the RV to the Cummins shop here in Dallas.

Thanks for your help,

Rnicfingrp

[GaryKD]

Hi Rnicfingrp,
One can not have too much coolant in the expansion tank. If there is not enough expansion room, the "extra" coolant will drain out the overflow tube. The engine and driving conditions will determine how much expansion room is needed. I've never had this sensor go bad. I'm not sure if you can get meter probes into the sensor plug. On my coach I can not do this, it is sealed very thoroughly. Before going to the dealer, consider calling Newmar and see if they will tell you how to check the sensor.

[Rnicfingrp]

GaryKD,

I'm going to go ahead and take the RV to Cummins and let them figure it out. I have plenty of coolant in the Surge (Main) tank and there is coolant in the Recovery (overflow) tank as well. Your idea that my problem could be coolant related doesn't seem to be panning out so I think I will let Cummins take a look at it and post their findings shortly.

Thanks for your input.

Rnicfingrp

[Rnicfingrp]

GaryKD,

Problem solved. Cummins replaced the fuel filter and fuel water separator. Filter had "20 inches of fuel restriction". Total cost = $396.04.

Rnicfingrp

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryKD Hi Rnicfingrp, One can not have too much coolant in the expansion tank. If there is not enough expansion room, the "extra" coolant will drain out the overflow tube. The engine and driving conditions will determine how much expansion room is needed. I've never had this sensor go bad. I'm not sure if you can get meter probes into the sensor plug. On my coach I can not do this, it is sealed very thoroughly. Before going to the dealer, consider calling Newmar and see if they will tell you how to check the sensor.