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Hoof-hearted · 01-26-2023, 05:56 PM

Hey all,

I have a 1999 FW Discovery with a 5.9L cummins DP.
I was checking some trailer lights last week or so, so I turned on my running lights and 4way flashers, and forgot to turn them off. Oops! It killed my 5 year old batteries. I know I was probably going to have to replace them this summer anyway. So, I bought a couple and put them in. All seems fine, but the engine light was on during start up and is still lit after 20 minutes of warm up. I know little about deisel systems and their OBD type sensing.
1. Could having dead batteries (and the lights on) cause the engine light to glow?
2. Will it go off after 3 Hot-Cold cycles like a gas car?

I've checked to see if there is a missing wire to the battery. I do have one extra HOT wire compared to the number of NEG wires. Maybe one dropped behind the battery box? I may have to look more tomorrow.

Any suggestions are appreciated...

Jim

Iceclimber · 01-26-2023, 06:55 PM

You have something else going on, assuming you mean the "check engine" light. Batteries should not affect that.

Toribk · 01-27-2023, 06:09 AM

In short.....yes.

Sometimes the loss of sufficient voltage to the ECM during a battery exchange can trigger a CEL to illuminate.

It may take up to 5 start/stop cycles to clear it unless, as in your case, a battery cable feeding the main engine wiring cluster or a 12 volt distribution panel to the dash cluster was not reconnected...though usually result in a "No Start"
scenario.

Let us know.

Hoof-hearted · 01-27-2023, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toribk

In short.....yes.

Sometimes the loss of sufficient voltage to the ECM during a battery exchange can trigger a CEL to illuminate.

It may take up to 5 start/stop cycles to clear it unless, as in your case, a battery cable feeding the main engine wiring cluster or a 12 volt distribution panel to the dash cluster was not reconnected...though usually result in a "No Start"
scenario.

Let us know.

I started it up today and no CEL. Ran it about 10 miles to refill propane tank for some heat tonight as it's going to be in the teens, and ran as normal. Had to be the batteries being really, really dead. Seems kind of strange to me that it would do that, but I'm going to roll with it that we're all good now. (-;

Thanks for the info. It helps.

Jim

Arch Hoagland · 01-27-2023, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the update....hope it stays good.

nehog · 01-29-2023, 07:40 AM

Your best bet is to download the engine codes...

I have a Scanguage-D which will do this that I am selling. Drop me a message if you are interested. Open to offers! Lists on Amazon for $225, but $100 plus shipping ($20) might just be the right offer!

Hoof-hearted · 01-30-2023, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehog

Your best bet is to download the engine codes...

I have a Scanguage-D which will do this that I am selling. Drop me a message if you are interested. Open to offers! Lists on Amazon for $225, but $100 plus shipping ($20) might just be the right offer!

Hmmm...interest peaked....
I don't even know what kind of sensors are in/on an old diesel unit.
What type of things does it scan on vintage (1999) freightliners?
Jim

nehog · 01-31-2023, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoof-hearted

Hmmm...interest peaked....
I don't even know what kind of sensors are in/on an old diesel unit.
What type of things does it scan on vintage (1999) freightliners?
Jim

Sorry, brain fart...

I don't think there would be any codes. I do think you have a fuel pump problem, or perhaps a stop solenoid stuck. You need to check the fuel pressure into the injection pump (don't know the spec, most are 6-10 PSI...) which you could do by just cracking the fuel injection pump's inlet fitting. Also, though rare, if there are return fuel lines from the injectors, if that return fuel to the tank line is blocked--the engine will not run... (Been there, done that!)