Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights

Topic: Stranded on an exit ramp - Stop Engine and ABS lights (Read 5263 times) previous topic - next topic

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

Reply #50 – June 11, 2023, 04:59:04 pm

You have 3 start batteries, check each one while you have the positive cable disconnected. Make sure that one of them isn't defective, should read about 12.5 v or at last above 12 with a good meter. If you can't get another cable ( doesn't have to be exactly the same - just connect the 3 batteries) put that one back on the best you can, one of you squeeze the broken terminals with standard pliers or channel locks while the other starts the generator and turns on the boost switch. If your 3 start batteries are good and the battery terminals are clean and reasonably tight, with the genset running and boost switch on the engine should start and stay running as long as the generator is running.

Unless you have other issues........

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

Reply #51 – June 11, 2023, 05:09:04 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – June 11, 2023, 04:59:04 pm

Unless you have other issues........

Yup, but do NOT start chasing the "other issues" until you know you are "feeding them the proper food"= 12.2- 14 VDC.

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

Reply #52 – June 11, 2023, 06:54:02 pm

Once you get the battery/start issue corrected you can probably use your SilverLeaf diagnostics to determine what is causing your check engine light to come on. If you are lucky everything will work just like fine and you will just have a lot of low voltage codes stored in memory and no active codes.
Hoping for the best!

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

Reply #53 – June 11, 2023, 07:28:41 pm

Quote from: SteveB – June 11, 2023, 06:54:02 pm

Once you get the battery/start issue corrected you can probably use your SilverLeaf diagnostics to determine what is causing your check engine light to come on. If you are lucky everything will work just like fine and you will just have a lot of low voltage codes stored in memory and no active codes.
Hoping for the best!

Well, we replaced the battery cables and the boost solenoid. Started her up and she started really quick without any hesitation, but the error lights stayed on and eventually the coach shut down just like before. Not sure our SIlverleaf even has the time to register what's going on. How would we read those codes? WE've only ever used the Silverleaf for the real-time gauges.

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

Reply #54 – June 11, 2023, 07:51:17 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. Going to check belts and batteries.

When the engine cooled down did you open the radiator cap and check/top off the coolant level?
Did you ever see smoke as this incident unfolded?

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

Reply #55 – June 11, 2023, 07:59:06 pm

Quote from: Dakota Slim – June 11, 2023, 07:51:17 pm

When the engine cooled down did you open the radiator cap and check/top off the coolant level?
Did you ever see smoke as this incident unfolded?

Yes. When it was cool we removed the cap and it was full. There was never any smoke. At this point we are chasing down an electrical issue.

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

Reply #56 – June 11, 2023, 09:03:05 pm

I think you click on the diagnostic link and see what comes up.

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

Reply #57 – June 11, 2023, 09:05:33 pm

Trying to think of other possible factors since we returned to our coach and began getting her road ready. This past week we took her for a trip to Lowes to get some stuff and see how she was running. She started without incident when my husband turned the key and I followed along behind him to the store. While going down the highway one exit I saw a black strip of something fall out from behind the rig. I wasn't sure if it was something falling off the rig or something in the road my husband ran over but when we arrived at Lowes I told him about it. We opened up the back and didn't immediately see anything. The next morning though, as Trent was working on checking out the rig he came across our old tow trailer hitch light hookups and they looked like this and were hanging. I am thinking what I saw was something from this. There is a part that looked as if it had an electrical short and burned up. Could this be causing our electrical issues? He just cut the wires and tied the loose ends up since we are not currently using a tow dolly and don't need it.

New battery cables, coach started right up

Before starting we checked the ignition solenoid and it was at 12.64 and when we started it went down to zero. However we tried it again just now and the solenoid didn't lose much power at all and the coach started right up and the lights even went off. Then, within a few seconds the lights came back on and the alarm too. It seems to be an intermittent issue, which is making it really hard to figure out. Brett thinks there is something electrical that is failing. We just can't trace it down to where. We plan on camping out on the entrance ramp here like a semi for the night and hoping we don't get a visit from the police. WE can get back to searching out our problems in the morning. It would be nice to get the rig working just enough to get it somewhere safe to diagnose the issue further.

And for those of you who believe in the power of prayer, we could sure use your prayers right now. Thanks for all your help.

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

Reply #58 – June 11, 2023, 09:17:40 pm

I just checked the diagnostic on the Silverleaf and it does show "ENG SID 251 4 Power Supply - Low Voltage".

I don't really know what that means other than the obvious that we have already discovered "low voltage." I'm not sure what the rest of it means. If anyone has any insight, please do enlighten us. Thanks!

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

Reply #59 – June 11, 2023, 09:22:26 pm

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – June 11, 2023, 09:17:40 pm

I just checked the diagnostic on the Silverleaf and it does show "ENG SID 251 4 Power Supply - Low Voltage".

I don't really know what that means...

We need Roger back here to help decipher the Silverleaf codes. See if the thread linked below is any help:

M11 won't start

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

Reply #60 – June 11, 2023, 09:34:07 pm

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – June 11, 2023, 09:17:40 pm

I just checked the diagnostic on the Silverleaf and it does show "ENG SID 251 4 Power Supply - Low Voltage".

I don't really know what that means other than the obvious that we have already discovered "low voltage." I'm not sure what the rest of it means. If anyone has any insight, please do enlighten us. Thanks!

I was having that low voltage code pop up on my VMSpc. But the check engine light never came on. I stopped into a cummins shop in Boise. They said its kind of a catch all code that doesn't really point to the cause. But said it is generally the code thrown when the engine ECM's internal clock looses power and or the clocks internal backup battery is kaput. In my case. When we got home. I did a big cleanup on all the battery cables. To include leads going to the isolator and starter. Haven't had the code since. Found the Cummins fault code PDF and 251 is "real time clock power interrupt"

And prayers sent your way.

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

Reply #61 – June 11, 2023, 09:37:02 pm

Found this

SID 251 = Injector Power Supply or ECM measured injector boost voltage is low.

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

Reply #62 – June 11, 2023, 09:41:08 pm

I don't know where to look for it, but if the M11 engine ECM is accessible, it wouldn't hurt to try pulling the electrical harness connector off, check the condition of the pins, and then plug the connector back in.

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

Reply #63 – June 11, 2023, 09:41:49 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 11, 2023, 09:22:26 pm

We need Roger back here to help decipher the Silverleaf codes. See if the thread linked below is any help:

M11 won't start

Yes! I found this thread too when I googled the code. Trent is back in there in the dark right now checking to see if he can find the ECM connections and see any obvious issues. IF not, we will chill on the side of the ramp tonight and maybe see where our closest Cummins shop is in the morning.

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

Reply #64 – June 11, 2023, 09:43:09 pm

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 11, 2023, 09:41:08 pm

I don't know where to look for it, but if the M11 engine ECM is accessible, it wouldn't hurt to try pulling the electrical harness connector off, check the condition of the pins, and then plug the connector back in.

Yup. That's what he's looking to do right now. I found a couple of pictures and threads saying it was back near the radiator on the passenger side. I hope they find it and find something easy.

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

Reply #65 – June 11, 2023, 09:45:38 pm

The ecm is on the left side of the engine right side of the coach and is accessed under the bed. I have
had the connectors off but it isn't easy.

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

Reply #66 – June 11, 2023, 09:47:18 pm

Siobhan, where are you located? Maybe there is a forum member near enough to offer a second set of eyes and could offer some help.

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

Reply #67 – June 11, 2023, 09:48:48 pm

Quote from: oldguy – June 11, 2023, 09:45:38 pm

The ecm is on the left side of the engine right side of the coach and is accessed under the bed. I have
had the connectors off but it isn't easy.

It's what they call a "PITA" big burly man arms and hands are highly detrimental to doing that job.

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

Reply #68 – June 11, 2023, 09:51:48 pm

Quote from: oldguy – June 11, 2023, 09:45:38 pm

The ecm is on the left side of the engine right side of the coach and is accessed under the bed. I have
had the connectors off but it isn't easy.

Yeah...we will have to wait until the morning if it's under the bed as our kids are in bed already. It's probably best to wait until then so we can get a good night's rest and start fresh tomorrow.

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

Reply #69 – June 11, 2023, 09:55:04 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – June 11, 2023, 09:47:18 pm

Siobhan, where are you located? Maybe there is a forum member near enough to offer a second set of eyes and could offer some help.

WE are just outside of Richmond, VA. I found a senior member that is on the other side of Richmond and he even has the same coach as us. But he hasn't been active since March. I sent him a message, so we will see. We also have a friend back in my parents' town of Waynesboro where we set off from today who drove tour buses for years and has lots of experience with this kind of stuff who may be able to come and help us troubleshoot some more tomorrow.

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

Reply #70 – June 11, 2023, 09:56:04 pm

Have you read this thread yet?
Cummins M11 ECM Fuses
Look for a bad fuse holder also.
Mike

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

Reply #71 – June 12, 2023, 06:37:53 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – June 11, 2023, 09:56:04 pm

Have you read this thread yet?
Cummins M11 ECM Fuses
Look for a bad fuse holder also.
Mike

Where are the ECM fuses?

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

Reply #72 – June 12, 2023, 06:46:25 am

Quote from: Walkerfam7 – June 12, 2023, 06:37:53 am

Where are the ECM fuses?

If you look at the 3rd pic my fingers are on the fuse holders. That loom is right where the engine/trans is bolted together. The older M-11 may be slightly different spot but should be close.

Mike

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

Reply #73 – June 12, 2023, 07:01:41 am

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 11, 2023, 09:41:08 pm

I don't know where to look for it, but if the M11 engine ECM is accessible, it wouldn't hurt to try pulling the electrical harness connector off, check the condition of the pins, and then plug the connector back in.

Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie – June 11, 2023, 09:41:08 pm
I don't know where to look for it, but if the M11 engine ECM is accessible, it wouldn't hurt to try pulling the electrical harness connector off, check the condition of the pins, and then plug the connector back in.

We did end up pulling the bed up last night and found a connector from the ECM and it was all taped up with electrical tape. We unwound it and pulled it apart. Looked like this:

The inside pins looked a little funky so I cleaned them up with a sewing needle and we put it back together. Started the engine and it fired right up without any lights or alarms. Engine ran for a few minutes and then we decided to check the voltage at the ignition solenoid because that's where we were seeing a drop in voltage yesterday that would lead to the lights coming on. As soon as we touched the voltmeter to the solenoid and ground the lights and alarm came on. Maybe it was just a timing coincidence and whatever we had done with the connector wasn't going to last, but could it be that we just tripped something when we tried to check the solenoid at the dash?

Also, I've seen several people mention the ECM fuses and to check those but I don't really know where to find those. Trent is already outside this morning cleaning more connections. Lots of rust and dust to work through when a rig has been sitting like ours has 😞. I guess Trent just came in and said there is a fuse in the connector that we pulled apart last night? Or are there separate fuses we should be looking for as well? Gosh, so many little parts and things to check. I feel like it's one little thing and we are trying to find a needle in a haystack.

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

Reply #74 – June 12, 2023, 07:02:38 am

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – June 12, 2023, 06:46:25 am

If you look at the 3rd pic my fingers are on the fuse holders. That loom is right where the engine/trans is bolted together. The older M-11 may be slightly different spot but should be close.

Mike

This may be the part we already found and cleaned up the pins on last night. Can you look at my pictures above and verify?

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