DEF Head Failure

[flyboy013]

My wife tells me I need to stop reading these forums. Yesterday I was reading about DEF head failures and thinking how fortunate I was not to have had any problems. This morning I started up the coach to move from one side to another and the check engine light came one. Looked up the codes and sure enough they are DEF related.

I called Spartan and they confirmed that the codes indeed indicate a DEF head failure. Fortunately I have an appointment at North Trail for a week from today for the awning bracket modification. Spartan indicated that they could get the replacement part there in time. I spoke with North Trail and they will take care of the replacement next week. I understand these codes will cause a derate. I’m hoping I have no issues driving the 50 miles.

 

[Neemer]

That’s a bad news, good news story with the appointment next week. Spartan chassis?

 

[flyboy013]

Yes, Spartan K3 chassis.

The issue seems to have occurred at a convenient time and hopefully I’ll be more relaxed knowing that the DEF head has been replaced with a better unit and within the warranty period.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

Instructions for the DYI among us https://hollandbuscompany.com/wp-co.../SU1216-DEF-Tank-Level-Sensor-Replacement.pdf

 

[CaptainGizmo]

Welcome to the club of many!
Good news: they have them in stock and you’re not a victim of COVID backup that caused many to wait months.
Bad news: you have to wait!? We broke down in Utah and Spartan Fedex’d the part and CoachNet service got us going in 2 days (thanks to Sunday).
Good news: it won’t derate you for at least 50 miles.
Bad news, or good news depending on your perspective: They MUST ship the part to an authorized mechanicit’s a 15 minute repair! ?
Good news: Spartan is now in GEN 6 for that head...so “I’M SURE IT WILL BE FIXED THIS TIME”...after all, as the saying goes...6th time is a charm’

I have to go now; my tongue is bleeding.

Tell your wife to let you keep reading into your future. At least you’ll have the comfort of not thinking “why am I the only one?” ?

 

[flyboy013]

Good news: I got a call from Spartan late yesterday afternoon. The part has shipped and and will arrive at North Trail today!

Good news: North Trail confirmed they can do this work during our appointment on Tuesday.

Bad news: I'll probably worry about a derate during the 50 miles drive, even knowing that's its very unlikely.

 

[svoshop]

My wife tells me I need to stop reading these forums. Yesterday I was reading about DEF head failures and thinking how fortunate I was not to have had any problems. This morning I started up the coach to move from one side to another and the check engine light came one. Looked up the codes and sure enough they are DEF related.

I called Spartan and they confirmed that the codes indeed indicate a DEF head failure. Fortunately I have an appointment at North Trail for a week from today for the awning bracket modification. Spartan indicated that they could get the replacement part there in time. I spoke with North Trail and they will take care of the replacement next week. I understand these codes will cause a derate. I’m hoping I have no issues driving the 50 miles.

Do you recall what codes you got.

I am getting a SPN1761 which refers to my DEF gauge that zero's out and turns on the SES. But it is not accompanied by any other codes. Spartan does not feel that the head is the cause on this. I have been contemplating just replacing the head to make myself feel better, but I was told it would not derate with just that one code. I was advised to remove the head and inspect it for old Urea that may have crusted up while it sat new at the dealer lot. This is on a 21 Dutchstar 4310

 

[flyboy013]

I received codes: 3364-9, 1761-9, and 3031-9

 

[svoshop]

I received codes: 3364-9, 1761-9, and 3031-9

I am getting the 1761 as a stand alone. Thank you for the information.

Mike

 

[flyboy013]

What is the FMI number? If you look at page 58-59 of the below linked document, you will see that there are various more specific means for this code.

http://www.rvtechmag.com/docs/Faultcodes_Cummins.pdf

 

[svoshop]

What is the FMI number? If you look at page 58-59 of the below linked document, you will see that there are various more specific means for this code.

http://www.rvtechmag.com/docs/Faultcodes_Cummins.pdf

FMI is #3, which has a definition of Voltage above normal or sorted to high source.

I still have this gut feeling that it is the head, but maybe I am wrong.

 

[RandDescape]

Sunday I took the coach out for a monthly 30min drive and got a 3031 spn, FMI 9. Looked it up - DEF. But it was the only code. Reported that to my local Spartan repair shop Mon and they called back Tue to say that Spartan thought I should have 3 codes if it was really a bad DEF head. So yesterday morning early I went out to the coach and w/ key in accessory position it gave me a 2nd code SPN 1761 FMI 9 in addition to the 3031. But no 3rd code. I then repeated the test, took the key out, reinserted and tried again. This time only got the 3031. I had pictures of each of those and sent them off to the local service manager when they opened at 7:30, spoke to him about 5min later and he said he'd let Spartan know. About 8:30 I got a call from Dave at Spartan saying they believed I had a bad DEF and would send one to the local shop once they were back in stock - but they had no outlook at this point due to high demand. He indicated that the 2 codes I have aren't ones that cause derate of the torque yet - but the next one they expect will start the countdown to the derate (SPN 3364 FMI 9). They obviously only recommend local trips until the DEF head is replaced.

Bottom line, I'd run the fault code sequence again your issue may be intermittent like mine.

- Richard

 

[svoshop]

Sunday I took the coach out for a monthly 30min drive and got a 3031 spn, FMI 9. Looked it up - DEF. But it was the only code. Reported that to my local Spartan repair shop Mon and they called back Tue to say that Spartan thought I should have 3 codes if it was really a bad DEF head. So yesterday morning early I went out to the coach and w/ key in accessory position it gave me a 2nd code SPN 1761 FMI 9 in addition to the 3031. But no 3rd code. I then repeated the test, took the key out, reinserted and tried again. This time only got the 3031. I had pictures of each of those and sent them off to the local service manager when they opened at 7:30, spoke to him about 5min later and he said he'd let Spartan know. About 8:30 I got a call from Dave at Spartan saying they believed I had a bad DEF and would send one to the local shop once they were back in stock - but they had no outlook at this point due to high demand. He indicated that the 2 codes I have aren't ones that cause derate of the torque yet - but the next one they expect will start the countdown to the derate (SPN 3364 FMI 9). They obviously only recommend local trips until the DEF head is replaced.

Bottom line, I'd run the fault code sequence again your issue may be intermittent like mine.

- Richard

Thank you. I actually pulled it with a small code reader that I have. When it faulted while driving, it actually went back out. When I tried to pull it through the message screen it did not get me any data... I was able to pull codes before, but not this time. I will go spend a little time this weekend. THANK YOU for the post.

 

[RandDescape]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that the icons were also different the 1 time I was able to pull the 1761 code out. On the 1st and 3rd efforts I only got the outline of the engine. On the 2nd attempt where I also got the 1761 code the check engine and regen lights were also on.

- Richard

 

[Old-RV'er]

Hmmm, seems to me this was happening a lot early on after we got Freightliner chassis based unit. Some thoughts, keep def tank full all the time. I use only the bottled (Walmart brand or peak) which I put in about every other day if traveling, and fill up when we stop trip at end or layover. Have heard keeping tank full mostly eliminates the scale issue, Use the bottled stuff because I don't trust the "pump access type" to be clean and free of debris since numerous people use then, but that is just me. Think wiping of cleaning the tank cap will also prevent scale from being issue, but have not noticed any buildup doing the above. Good Luck to all.