DEF Sensor - DSS and Carry On!

[DrPhil]

Oh my! Wasn't aware that Freightliner had a different connector, and that the DSS was a Spartan only thing. That is troublesome.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Scott201

Yes, I'll try to attach it. Thanks for your help.

Interesting. That is a full DEF head with sensor installed. The gen 6 sensor itself looks very similar to my gen 7, but there are some differences. Will be posting some pictures when I get a chance. Anyone know when they started installing only the sensor?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by JMcG

Thanks USMCRET, hopefully freightliner will come up with something.
JMcG
2016 VTDP 3725

There is quite a lot of Freightliner particulars being discussed towards the end of the thread at the following link:

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/see...ml#post5928295

[DrPhil]

Here are some comparison pictures of both my old gen1 sensor verses the new gen7 sensor. The old one has something that looks like a shoe/boot set up at bottom, and the new one looks a bit like an odd shaped toilet bowl brush. I still plan to do a dremel tear down of the old sensor unit. Note that only the sensor was replaced for me - NOT THE WHOLE DEF UNIT.

[R.Wold]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Oh my! Wasn't aware that Freightliner had a different connector, and that the DSS was a Spartan only thing. That is troublesome.

Im fairly certain it is not a Spartan only thing because it is designed for Cummins CM2350 controlled engines, which includes Freightliner coaches since around 2012 if not earlier. Just a matter of getting the correct connector. I should have that handled and the DSS tested by the end of the week.

[Archer2]

Phil, the DSS is not just for Spartan chassis it is for any Cummins engine that has a CM2350 ECM built in or after 2016. As a general rule, if the connector on the wiring harness is a Deutsch DT-04 then it will work just using the instructions. If it has a different (similar looking but larger) rectangular 4-pin, 2-row connector it will still work but the description of which signal goes to which pin will have to be identified as it is not like the instructions. If it is any other type of connector, like a flat, 4 conductor, it may or may not work. Those appear to have been used on chassis manufactured around the 2015-2016 transitional period and we are not 100% certain that those sensors even have the third “quality” sensor. Further investigation/experimentation is needed.
However, with all that said, the picture you show of your original and your replacement sensor look to me to be the type that’s in the instructions so you shouldn’t have any worries. By the way, if the shop will let you have the bad sensor cut the cable and connector off of it and save it in case you want to build another one or have to repair yours.

[Archer2]

Also, Phil, you have actually used your DSS on your coach successfully so I’m puzzled why you seem concerned about your Freightliner?

[R.Wold]

inquiring minds want to know....

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Archer2

Also, Phil, you have actually used your DSS on your coach successfully so I’m puzzled why you seem concerned about your Freightliner?

Yes, you are correct. I have used my DSS and i have a Spartan K2. I was only commenting on inquiries by Freightliner owners.

[dp7]

Originally Posted by Archer2

Phil, the DSS is not just for Spartan chassis it is for any Cummins engine that has a CM2350 ECM built in or after 2016. As a general rule, if the connector on the wiring harness is a Deutsch DT-04 then it will work just using the instructions. If it has a different (similar looking but larger) rectangular 4-pin, 2-row connector it will still work but the description of which signal goes to which pin will have to be identified as it is not like the instructions. If it is any other type of connector, like a flat, 4 conductor, it may or may not work. Those appear to have been used on chassis manufactured around the 2015-2016 transitional period and we are not 100% certain that those sensors even have the third “quality” sensor. Further investigation/experimentation is needed.
However, with all that said, the picture you show of your original and your replacement sensor look to me to be the type that’s in the instructions so you shouldn’t have any worries. By the way, if the shop will let you have the bad sensor cut the cable and connector off of it and save it in case you want to build another one or have to repair yours.

The attached Freightliner Service Bulletin identifies the pins used for DEF level & their resistance values.....

[Archer2]

Thanks for the info dp7. That may help clear up some confusion. The Service Bulletin is for a DEF header that is analog with a float-type level system. Since it does not use a J1939 data bus if you have any of the DEF headers mentioned in the SB then you cannot use the DSS.
I don’t know whether the flat, inline 4 pin connector always means that the header is analog because it is conceivable that at some point in the evolution of DEF systems FL could have used the same type connector on a digital header. At any rate if you have one of these it’s not likely that yours is prone to the failures that have disabled so many coaches.

[R.Wold]

Well mine is an A04-28402 as referenced in the TSB and looks identical to the one pictured so I guess I have some spare parts. As purely a brief passing mention, my DSS parts are now listed in the iRV2 Classified.

[DrPhil]

Here are some close up pictures of the old DEF sensor just prior to applying the Dremel and drill method of dissection!

[Archer2]

Keep the pics coming! The one I tried to dismember appeared to me to have been “potted” in some sort of plastic or epoxy. I never got all the way through to even see any of the internal components. I would love to know what the inside looks like.