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Topic: Yikes! Check engine light is on! (Read 947 times) previous topic - next topic

Yikes! Check engine light is on!

This morning we were about 125 miles east of Albuquerque on I-40 going our usual 55mph.  Pat was driving and the check engine light came on.... it was steady and not blinking.  She pulled over within about 1/2 mile and we left the engine running.  All the temps and pressures looked good on the Silverleaf.  I check the engine compartment.  Everything looked 100% normal.... no leaks and the coolant was 1/2 between hot and cold (usual).  I checked the Silverleaf diagnostic codes and it showed "Eng SID 251 2  Power supply invalid data 4/2/11 10:02am."

We gave Gary Omel a call (second one of the day....see next post) and he advised turning off the engine and restarting.  I did that and the check engine light went out and stayed out all the way to Albuquerque.  When I checked the Silverleaf again, there was a second 251 error code "power supply inactive."  Everything seemed 100% normal.  If it was not for the Silverleaf I would not know anything might be wrong. 

So the question is..... has anyone had this code in a check engine situation?  What would this power supply be for?  Is it safe to drive?

Thanks in advance.

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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Yiks! Check engine light is on!

Reply #1 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
I checked the Silverleaf diagnostic codes and it showed "Eng SID 251 2  Power supply invalid data 4/2/11 10:02am."

When I checked the Silverleaf again, there was a second 251 error code "power supply inactive."  Everything seemed 100% normal.  If it was not for the Silverleaf I would not know anything might be wrong. 

So the question is..... has anyone had this code in a check engine situation?  What would this power supply be for?  Is it safe to drive?

George,

I Googled the 251 2 error from the Silverleaf (that doesn't appear to be the Cummins fault code, SID is the subsystem ID, 251 is Power Supply).  There would be a different actual "Cummins Fault Code".  Came across one instance where it means real time clock - power supply interrupted.  Power supply being power to the ECM, thus battery voltage.  The corresponding Cummins fault code in that case was 319.

Possibly as simple as a loose or dirty electrical connection.  Might want to start there.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Yikes! Check engine light is on!

Reply #2 –
Michelle.....  Pat found a Cummins Service Center in Prescott, AZ that was open today and I gave them a call.  He too thought the check engine warning might be due to a loose connection somewhere in the electronics system of the engine.  He added that these "251" problems are often hard to trace and may require checking each connection.  I'm tempted to continue on our way to Tucson, but may just stick around Albuquerque until we can get someone at Cummins to have a look.  I will check the engine battery tomorrow to make sure everything is secure.  The switches I added to the house batteries last winter seem to be OK.  Thanks for your input!

Update.... we ended up not going to Cummins about this check engine light.  We drove over 300 miles from Albuquerque to Payson, AZ and no problems.  I did check the engine battery connections and found no problems. 

Further update....drove from Payson, AZ to Phoenix and then on to Tucson.  No reoccurrance of the check engine light.
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: Yikes! Check engine light is on!

Reply #3 –
I have on 07 342..Is there a fix for this check engine amber light coming on? Mine come on around 68 miles Miles per hour and stays on sometimes shuts off if I go back below 65.  I'd appreciate any information that anyone has On this issue.

Re: Yikes! Check engine light is on!

Reply #4 –
You need to down load the diagnostic code(s).

If this is LOAD dependent rather than speed dependent, I would change the fuel filters, as low fuel pressure when highest fuel demand could be a factor.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Yikes! Check engine light is on!

Reply #5 –
Quote from: ibenzing –
I have on 07 342..Is there a fix for this check engine amber light coming on? Mine come on around 68 miles Miles per hour and stays on sometimes shuts off if I go back below 65.  I'd appreciate any information that anyone has On this issue.
As Brett posts, low fuel supply volume/pressure will cause loss of power and can trigger the light. Best to change filters unless you have a reader that will check fuel pressure at the pump under 65+ load.

I used to work on a lot of OM617 (300SD) engines and almost always, any loss of power on hills or high speed was filter related.

With the secondary filter, if you puncture the bottom (sharp pointed chisel with hammer) with a container below, it makes much less mess than unscrewing it when full. That way, a big gallon freezer zip lock will contain the filter and anything the filter has left in it plus the filter weighs a lot less when not full.

Pierce
Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)