Community Forums

blade76 · 06-04-2021, 07:52 PM

Apparently, we just joined the DEF Head crowd. Check engine light on start up (and stayed on), but made it 150 miles without any de-rate issues (51,000 miles total on what I believe may be the original head). I could not find any codes (no “saved faults”), but NIRVC Atl says so. They also say the heads are on back order with no known availability.

From various posts on this forum it seems they have been available, but maybe not lately? Our FMCA Gillette trip may be in peril! Any better news out there?

brobox · 06-04-2021, 07:57 PM

Need to call Spartan direct and tell them you are broke down, if you are.

1doodadd · 06-04-2021, 08:00 PM

Available on Ebay

buck58 · 06-04-2021, 08:39 PM

I just had this problem, I was broke down in the grocery store parking lot it took them 3-4 days but Spartan & CoachNet got me on the road yesterday. I had to take pictures of the codes on my dash and was told by SPARTAN that they’re only fixing these on people that are broke down on the road, they’re saving their inventory for those people, I was told that if I was home or in a safe place it may be end of July or 1st of August [emoji15][emoji35]..... it’s about to get serious there’s about to be a lot of people on the side of the road or not able to use your coaches.... I know everybody’s talking about Shaw and yes it’s there part... but I bought my coach from Entegra on a Spartan chassis.... before I purchase I talked to somebody from Entegra ( not just a salesman) and I talked to somebody at SPARTAN....they told me they stand behind their product.... they knew they had a problem months ago...

ClintH · 06-04-2021, 11:25 PM

Yeah I ordered an extra from Spartan several months ago. Took a week to get it. Glad I have a spare. Cost was about $900.

ClintH · 06-04-2021, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck58

I just had this problem, I was broke down in the grocery store parking lot it took them 3-4 days but Spartan & CoachNet got me on the road yesterday. I had to take pictures of the codes on my dash and was told by SPARTAN that they’re only fixing these on people that are broke down on the road, they’re saving their inventory for those people, I was told that if I was home or in a safe place it may be end of July or 1st of August [emoji15][emoji35]..... it’s about to get serious there’s about to be a lot of people on the side of the road or not able to use your coaches.... I know everybody’s talking about Shaw and yes it’s there part... but I bought my coach from Entegra on a Spartan chassis.... before I purchase I talked to somebody from Entegra ( not just a salesman) and I talked to somebody at SPARTAN....they told me they stand behind their product.... they knew they had a problem months ago...

It is a problem with all rigs from all manufacturers. Not just Spartan.

garysfb · 06-05-2021, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade76

Apparently, we just joined the DEF Head crowd. Check engine light on start up (and stayed on), but made it 150 miles without any de-rate issues (51,000 miles total on what I believe may be the original head). I could not find any codes (no “saved faults”), but NIRVC Atl says so. They also say the heads are on back order with no known availability.

From various posts on this forum it seems they have been available, but maybe not lately? Our FMCA Gillette trip may be in peril! Any better news out there?

I'm confused. You had a check engine light on but no active or saved faults? Might want to take it to a Cummins shop and have them check it. If you do need a head it has to go through Spartan to be covered.

blade76 · 06-07-2021, 06:48 PM

NIRVC showed me the several DEF codes that were active when they checked with their equipment. I didn’t write them down. The service advisor confirmed that they were told Spartan wouldn’t send a new one now unless you’re broken down on the road. I called Spartan customer service number and got the same story, with some additional detail. I was told it was a chip supply issue because of COVID and they wouldn’t be getting a regular supply of replacement heads likely until first of August. Unless I was stopped somewhere with a red stop engine warning, I won’t get a replacement head at this time. I told him that means we have to cancel out of the Entegra rally in Spearfish for the 4th, FMCA rally in Gillette and about nine other reservations to get us there and back. I assume they’ve heard it all from others. He said their decision to preserve their limited stock for coaches broken down here and there came down from management. I could drive until it fully de-rates, and then be eligible for a stock part, but there’s no guarantee (as he warned me) that they will actually still have one to send me at that time. It’s a wonderful world.

LWBAZ · 06-07-2021, 07:00 PM

Wow, what a mess!

If I was an RV dealer I'd be wishing for a lot more new & lightly used inventory than any of them have right now. I'm guessing there are more than a few owners frustrated enough to trade their DEF-grounded coaches for something else. No, make that ANYTHING else - so long as it runs and the Check Engine light isn't on.

Turbojack · 06-07-2021, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LWBAZ

Wow, what a mess!

If I was an RV dealer I'd be wishing for a lot more new & lightly used inventory than any of them have right now. I'm guessing there are more than a few owners frustrated enough to trade their DEF-grounded coaches for something else. No, make that ANYTHING else - so long as it runs and the Check Engine light isn't on.

I have a customer that bought a new Gas RV last month. Drove it home, loaded it up. Next day goes to leave on a trip. Check engine light is one and RV has to be towed to the dealer for repairs. Lost 2 days of his trip while in the shop.

LWBAZ · 06-08-2021, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbojack

I have a customer that bought a new Gas RV last month. Drove it home, loaded it up. Next day goes to leave on a trip. Check engine light is one and RV has to be towed to the dealer for repairs. Lost 2 days of his trip while in the shop.

Well, at least we know it wasn't a DEF problem!

brobox · 06-08-2021, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade76

NIRVC showed me the several DEF codes that were active when they checked with their equipment. I didn’t write them down. The service advisor confirmed that they were told Spartan wouldn’t send a new one now unless you’re broken down on the road. I called Spartan customer service number and got the same story, with some additional detail. I was told it was a chip supply issue because of COVID and they wouldn’t be getting a regular supply of replacement heads likely until first of August. Unless I was stopped somewhere with a red stop engine warning, I won’t get a replacement head at this time. I told him that means we have to cancel out of the Entegra rally in Spearfish for the 4th, FMCA rally in Gillette and about nine other reservations to get us there and back. I assume they’ve heard it all from others. He said their decision to preserve their limited stock for coaches broken down here and there came down from management. I could drive until it fully de-rates, and then be eligible for a stock part, but there’s no guarantee (as he warned me) that they will actually still have one to send me at that time. It’s a wonderful world.

I hope you will join many others that have filed complaints with the NHTSA. The information can be found here. https://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/def...sa-518276.html
Please be sure to let them know in your complaint how you have been deprived of the quite enjoyment of your second home due to faulty equipment from your chassis manufacture. I was informed by the NHTSA that my complaint was being sent to the "defective equipment" division. If enough of us file, hopefully a stop will be put to this and we will not have to continually go through this every time a trip is planned or while on one.