Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

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Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

June 11, 2023, 12:01:45 pm

Would love some help right now.

We have just taken the rig out for its first trip of the season and have already (less than two hours in) gotten stranded on an exit ramp 🤦‍♀️

It's funny because Trent was just talking about how we need to take her in for an oil change and lube and all the stuff and literally right after he said that our alarms went off and the ABS light and Stop Engine light turned on. We had enough time to get off an exit and then the whole rig shut down and won't let us even get off the shoulder of the exit (there was another RV pulling off as head of us at the same time and we didn't make it past them to be able to pull over ourselves). Any idea what may be causing this issue? Our air pressure dials are right where they should be (unless they are not actually registering the correct pressure).

We tried to turn the engine back on to get across the road and to the shoulder of the entrance ramp back onto the highway but now the engine won't even turn over.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer. I'm also going to post in the forums in case you are not online right now

Siobhan Walker

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #1 – June 11, 2023, 12:07:59 pm

I have absolutely no input for you other than to call for towing.
But a series of questions maybe
What happens when you try to turn the engine over?
Are you sure your fuel level is correct? That happened to me once but I ran out of fuel and the gauge still read a half a tank. If you can dip your tank and make sure.
Did you try your boost switch?
I'm sure others will chime in with better suggestions this is just what comes to my head at this point.
If you have coachnet or anything like that I would call them now since you're stuck on the road.
Good luck and be safe most of all.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #2 – June 11, 2023, 12:12:46 pm

You didn't lose you engine oil did you?

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #3 – June 11, 2023, 12:16:24 pm

Quote from: John Duld – June 11, 2023, 12:12:46 pm

You didn't lose you engine oil did you?

We have oil. We have fuel. Have checked both. We did notice the reservoir tank for the coolant is empty. It seems really impossible to fill it though as the opening on top is too small to fit any type of cup or anything. Could this be our problem? We didn't get any messages about overheating and didn't see anything about that on our gauges or the silver light monitoring system.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #4 – June 11, 2023, 12:17:54 pm

To add...the rig has been sitting for almost 2 years but we winterized and stored it properly (at least the same as we have in the past) and we have taken it out around town and everything seemed to be running just fine.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #5 – June 11, 2023, 12:19:08 pm

Your engine is mechanical so it sounds like a loss of 12 volts from the chassis batteries, that would be start batteries. Check for tightness and clean hot and ground terminal.Engine not trying to turn over points to that on a mechanical engine. It would also cause the engine to die if all 12 volt is gone.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #6 – June 11, 2023, 12:20:01 pm

Have you gone back to the engine and checked if any fluids are on the ground?
Are all the belts still on the engine?
Is there an unusual smell?
Oil level ok? Color of oil?

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #7 – June 11, 2023, 12:23:30 pm

Quote from: turbojack – June 11, 2023, 12:20:01 pm

Have you gone back to the engine and checked if any fluids are on the ground?
Are all the belts still on the engine?
Is there an unusual smell?
Oil level ok? Color of oil?

Oil level around half. We added oil just in case. Didn't see any fluids on the ground but we did notice the coolant reservoir was empty so Trent is filling it a bit by the capful right now. Rig is hot so we can't fill the main coolant tank. Going to check belts and batteries.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #8 – June 11, 2023, 12:26:15 pm

Does the Allison shift pad illuminate as it should when the key is turned on?

If not, suspect the IGNITION SOLENOID. You may be able to free it up with a light, sharp rap like with the plastic handle of a screwdriver.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #9 – June 11, 2023, 12:29:54 pm

The big black tank with the radiator cap is where the low coolant sensor is located, I think. If that tank is empty you it will shut the engine down. Adding coolant to the overflow/ recovery tank will not help.
Not sure what would cause the engine not to crank other than an electrical issue not related to the engine shut down cause?
I would also recommend a tow for safety sake.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #10 – June 11, 2023, 12:31:09 pm

300SE. Is this a CAT? Do you have 12V on the dash, headlights, etc? What happens when you turn the key to start? Does the dash lights still stay on when you try to crank it? You may have a sensor on the radiator tank that won't allow the starter to turn if the coolant is low (even on a mechanical engine). It should have a sight glass for the fluid level. If no 12V, pull battery connections and clean posts and terminals. No one accidentally kicked the salesperson switch?

Pierce

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #11 – June 11, 2023, 12:44:31 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – June 11, 2023, 12:31:09 pm

300SE. Is this a CAT? Do you have 12V on the dash, headlights, etc? What happens when you turn the key to start? Does the dash lights still stay on when you try to crank it? You may have a sensor on the radiator tank that won't allow the starter to turn if the coolant is low (even on a mechanical engine). It should have a sight glass for the fluid level. If no 12V, pull battery connections and clean posts and terminals. No one accidentally kicked the salesperson switch?

Pierce

It's a Cummins M-11
We are on the phone with Brett right now. I think we are going to wait for the rig to cook down a bit and get some coolant in.

What is the salesperson switch? That's something new I've never heard of. You can never learn enough about these amazing machines 😂

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #12 – June 11, 2023, 12:47:16 pm

Not sure if this is relevant info, but OP had starting issues 2 years ago and there doesn't appear to be a resolution posted:

Starting trouble. Solenoid? Isolator? Something else?

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #13 – June 11, 2023, 12:52:06 pm

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – June 11, 2023, 12:44:31 pm

What is the salesperson switch? That's something new I've never heard of. You can never learn enough about these amazing machines 😂

There is a switch by the entry door. It will kill most of the 12v in the coach. The switch that was in my old coach was a lever and you had to turn it maybe a quarter turn to turn on or off

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #14 – June 11, 2023, 12:56:33 pm

If the engine will not turn over, you have an electrical problem. Tried the boost switch? Checked cables on start bank and on starter?

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #15 – June 11, 2023, 01:00:28 pm

Quote from: Michelle – June 11, 2023, 12:47:16 pm

Not sure if this is relevant info, but OP had starting issues 2 years ago and there doesn't appear to be a resolution posted:

Starting trouble. Solenoid? Isolator? Something else?

Yup. This was battery issues. Batteries were replaced and are in great condition. We just checked them too and all looks great.

Thanks everyone for your help! We appreciate this community so much and everyone's mechanical and detective skills. In our seven years of ownership we have learned SO much and can now trouble shoot many system problems on our own, but the engine things still baffle us sometimes 😂 I'm just so thankful to have you all in our corner. You come to the rescue and we learn something new every time!

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #16 – June 11, 2023, 01:02:37 pm

Quote from: turbojack – June 11, 2023, 12:52:06 pm

There is a switch by the entry door. It will kill most of the 12v in the coach. The switch that was in my old coach was a lever and you had to turn it maybe a quarter turn to turn on or off

Ah...yes. We are familiar with the switch. Just didn't know it was called that 😂

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #17 – June 11, 2023, 01:12:16 pm

Hope you work it out.

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Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #18 – June 11, 2023, 01:18:01 pm

Is this M11 a mechanical or ECU controlled engine? This makes all the difference in how to trouble shoot your issue.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #19 – June 11, 2023, 01:26:04 pm

Quote from: turbojack – June 11, 2023, 12:52:06 pm

There is a switch by the entry door. It will kill most of the 12v in the coach. The switch that was in my old coach was a lever and you had to turn it maybe a quarter turn to turn on or off

Isn't that solely for the coach 12V, not the chassis 12V?

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #20 – June 11, 2023, 01:29:42 pm

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – June 11, 2023, 12:23:30 pm

Oil level around half. We added oil just in case. Didn't see any fluids on the ground but we did notice the coolant reservoir was empty so Trent is filling it a bit by the capful right now. Rig is hot so we can't fill the main coolant tank.

Once you've verified the coolant situation, at some point in the near future if you notice the level in the overflow not changing, you may need a new radiator cap/hose. The overflow level should go up when the coach is hot and down when it's cool (sucking coolant into the main coolant tank). If the overflow level doesn't change, you're probably sucking air as the engine cools - either from a crack in the hose to the overflow or a failed recovery-style radiator cap.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #21 – June 11, 2023, 01:33:15 pm

Quote from: Michelle – June 11, 2023, 01:26:04 pm

Isn't that solely for the coach 12V, not the chassis 12V?

On ours it is..........

This sounds like it's a battery cable connection problem unless there is an engine control module on their M11.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #22 – June 11, 2023, 01:37:17 pm

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – June 11, 2023, 01:12:16 pm

Hope you work it out.

For future:
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Thank you for that link! Yes, that would be very convenient right now. Will have to add it to my Amazon cart to have it on hand.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #23 – June 11, 2023, 01:41:31 pm

Quote from: Michelle – June 11, 2023, 01:29:42 pm

Once you've verified the coolant situation, at some point in the near future if you notice the level in the overflow not changing, you may need a new radiator cap/hose. The overflow level should go up when the coach is hot and down when it's cool (sucking coolant into the main coolant tank). If the overflow level doesn't change, you're probably sucking air as the engine cools - either from a crack in the hose to the overflow or a failed recovery-style radiator cap.

This is great info. Thanks! Very helpful.

Re: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Reply #24 – June 11, 2023, 01:48:00 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – June 11, 2023, 01:33:15 pm

On ours it is..........

This sounds like it's a battery cable connection problem unless there is an engine control module on their M11.

How do we know if there's an engine control module? I admit we don't know a whole lot about our engine. We usually get the help of more mechanically inclined people who know these engines. All I know is that we have an M11 with turbo added and that our coach was built in 1995.

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