DEF Head Failure

[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.

 

[ARD]

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.

It is my understanding you will typically see a 3031 or 3364 code if DEF head needs to be replaced.

 

[ARD]

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

I had the same exact 1st 2 fault codes. I need to check what my 3rd one was. I did have an engine torque derate. Spartan told me to get someone to clear the codes and do a forced regen which did seem to take care of it. Thank you for your post. I will talk to Spartan tomorrow to see whether it was a temporary fix or whether I need a new DEF head.

 

[ARD]

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

OH crud! I think those are the codes I got and I didn't even know about the torque derate fault. I was told the 4th was there when they cleared my codes and did forced regen.

 

[Old-RV'er]

If I remember correctly, the DEF Head Failure has been an ongoing problem for all DEF equipped trucks/RV's since almost from day one. It's also my understanding the part is made in China, and based on that, made as poorly as possible to get by the inspectors and be passed. I hope I don't have this issue. Aside from having to wait who knows how long for the parts, we RV'ers are going to play second fiddle to OTR units with the same problem. The whole worldwide supply chain has been put out on it's ear, and the 30 day inventory cycle has been thrown out the window as well. I think (hope, really hope) business in our nation has realized, NOT to depend on a foreign country to build critical parts necessary for our transportation network to function.

To prevent this, I personally believe using the cleanest DEF possible is paramount for the system to work correctly, so I personally stay from the Diesel Truck Stop Pump DEF, and only buy BlueDEF and alternate with the Walmart Brand DEF. I am seriously hoping that contamination of the DEF manufacturers has not happened and we are getting a bunch of bad/marginal DEF regardless of where it is coming from. They make testers for DEF, we may want to start ensuring that the quality of it is good before putting in our rigs.

 

[RandDescape]

Posted elsewhere but worth sharing here.....

I hit the DEF head issue and called it in to Spartan in May. Same codes ARD hit. Because I was 3miles from home I just parked here until resolved.

Today since I am coming up on the period where I need to start canceling/ changing my July reservations I called them for an update.

They told me they have no insight as to when they will receive the shipment of DEF units in August (could be beginning or end of the month). They also didn’t know how large the shipment would be.

I asked if K2/K3 chassis all used the same heads and the answer is that the chips are the same only the length of the hoses is different among the chassis.

They also told me there are a total of 20 customers currently on the list waiting on DEF heads and they are working them off chronologically.

However, they will still prioritize someone who gets stuck on the side of the road higher than those safety at home or in a campground. So number 20 on that list may get head #30 if there are 10 more failures on the side of the road.

- Richard