Community Forums

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 12:26 PM

In RVTravel.com Sunday 8/29 there’s another article about the ongoing problems with DEF sensor failures and the efforts to mitigate the problem. Read down to the section entitled “RVers solve problem that industry couldn’t…”

It appears that someone has come up with a solution that has the potential to transform what has been a catastrophe into just an inconvenience to be managed until a repair can be facilitated at the owners’ convenience. Here’s the link to the article.
https://www.rvtravel.com/good-news-d...atives-coming/

Gary.Jones · 08-30-2021, 12:41 PM

Now, if we could find a Canadian or overseas distributor, everyone could breathe easier.

Gary

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 12:57 PM

I don’t believe this device is illegal. It seems to me to fit perfectly into the language of the Regulation (quoted in the article) as not prohibited. It is NOT a “delete device”. The DEF pump, doser injector, NOx sensors are not affected in any way. Your vehicle will continue to use DEF and spray it into the SCR reaction chamber reducing NOx. Your vehicle would still pass any emissions test. The only thing that changes is that you will be responsible for monitoring your DEF level and quality manually until you get the bad sensor replaced. What it does do is prevents the ECM from erroneously triggering a derate “Inducement”.

TravelSolo · 08-30-2021, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer2

I don’t believe this device is illegal. It seems to me to fit perfectly into the language of the Regulation (quoted in the article) as not prohibited. It is NOT a “delete device”. The DEF pump, doser injector, NOx sensors are not affected in any way. Your vehicle will continue to use DEF and spray it into the SCR reaction chamber reducing NOx. Your vehicle would still pass any emissions test. The only thing that changes is that you will be responsible for monitoring your DEF level and quality manually until you get the bad sensor replaced. What it does do is prevents the ECM from erroneously triggering a derate “Inducement”.

Exactly, no emissions impact unless you run out of DEF or get bad DEF.

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 03:03 PM

As a matter of fact according to Cummins QuickServeOnline if the sensor fails it will throw SPN3031 FMI9. That code WILL shut off the doser and thus cause a cessation of SCR NOx abatement. So using the device actually PREVENTS the ECM from “deleting” its own DEF/SCR systems when the sensor fails!

MRUSA14 · 08-30-2021, 03:11 PM

Whether the device is legal or not remains to be seen. I imagine those who administer the applicable regulations will weigh in on that. Perhaps more important is whether it is possible to obtain this device. If each RVer has to build his own device from scratch it won’t be of much help to the average RVer. So far I haven’t seen these for sale anywhere. Unless they can be purchased, they won’t help much.

dave&ginny · 08-30-2021, 03:23 PM

If it works, this guy could build a new business.

brobox · 08-30-2021, 03:57 PM

X2 what Marc said. After reading the article, the first thing I thought was what would be faster if I was stranded, getting a DEF head or an emulator?

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 04:35 PM

Hi Marc & Chuck. I don't want to come off as trying to convince anyone to use or not use the device. I will just say that In the last 2 days I had to evacuate from the effects of Ida about 400 miles through rain and wind. Because I have one of these things I didn’t think twice about what my Plan B would be if my Shaw sensor decided to pack it in. I had a working fix for the problem in my kitchen cabinet. You also may be overestimating by a lot the difficulty of assembling this thing. Here’s what’s involved:
First you buy an Arduino “microcontroller-on-a-board” from a list of models that will be posted. You add an interface board that you will choose from the same list. Next you buy, also from Amazon, a pre-assembled Deutsch connector with 4 wires already attached.
When you get your order you snap the interface onto the Arduino, screw the 4 wires into the Terminals provided on the interface.
Then Download a zip file that matches your hardware, connect the board to your computer with a USB cable. Verify the connections and run the installer. That’s it. Not as hard as installing Excel on a laptop. The total cost of the hardware is about 120 bucks. The software is free. The idea is to have it already handy if and when you have the sensor failure.

ThunderRidge · 08-30-2021, 04:49 PM

That would be great. I could use it right now. Threw a code 3031 yesterday. Made it home. Spartan said no available parts at this time. Expensive coach sitting in driveway unusable.

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderRidge

That would be great. I could use it right now. Threw a code 3031 yesterday. Made it home. Spartan said no available parts at this time. Expensive coach sitting in driveway unusable.

Do you know what the FMI code was that went with the 3031? Should have said something like “FMI X” where X=some number.
And did you just get 3031? Not 1761 or 3364 as well?

brobox · 08-30-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archer2

Hi Marc & Chuck. I don't want to come off as trying to convince anyone to use or not use the device. I will just say that In the last 2 days I had to evacuate from the effects of Ida about 400 miles through rain and wind. Because I have one of these things I didn’t think twice about what my Plan B would be if my Shaw sensor decided to pack it in. I had a working fix for the problem in my kitchen cabinet. You also may be overestimating by a lot the difficulty of assembling this thing. Here’s what’s involved:
First you buy an Arduino “microcontroller-on-a-board” from a list of models that will be posted. You add an interface board that you will choose from the same list. Next you buy, also from Amazon, a pre-assembled Deutsch connector with 4 wires already attached.
When you get your order you snap the interface onto the Arduino, screw the 4 wires into the Terminals provided on the interface.
Then Download a zip file that matches your hardware, connect the board to your computer with a USB cable. Verify the connections and run the installer. That’s it. Not as hard as installing Excel on a laptop. The total cost of the hardware is about 120 bucks. The software is free. The idea is to have it already handy if and when you have the sensor failure.

Now it is getting easier.

The unknown is difficult for those of use that are not computer programmers. I can replace a turbo, but don't have a clue how to write DEF code

Archer2 · 08-30-2021, 06:13 PM

No code writing required of the user. If you know what a USB cable is and where to plug it in (by the way the right USB cable usually is included with the board).

jondrew55 · 08-30-2021, 06:21 PM

Several weeks or months ago some wise man (I think it was me) suggested the industry and regulators should grant a temporary software solution to fix this problem until the hardware is properly updated. My read is that they still don’t know what exactly is wrong. I disagree that the emulator is “legal” in the sense that it is a modification to the vehicle’s emission system. The fact that it does not increase emissions in any way doesn’t matter.

What a mess