- Joined
- Jul 27, 2019
- Messages
- 12,188
- Location
- Midlothian, VA
- RV Year
- 2017
- RV Make
- Newmar
- RV Model
- Ventana 4037
- RV Length
- 40' 10"
- Chassis
- Freightliner XCR
- Engine
- Cummins 400 HP
- TOW/TOAD
- 2017 Chevy Colorado
- Fulltimer
- No
Open for discussion, I'm 7 years into ownership of my 2017 Newmar Ventana with a Cummins ISL 9 (400 HP) and still learning, it seems. This same topic came up at the Newmar Hoots rally this past October about how to start your engine, so it seems not everyone knows and not everyone is doing it right, and that may have included ME.
What I do know is when turning the key on WAIT until all of the lights go out, including the glow plug yellow lamp and then start. However, about a year or two into ownership of mine something got my attention in that the yellow outline lamp didn't go out, it remained on. When I needed my head gasket replaced (under warranty) at Tucson Cummins I asked the tech about this and he said that's normal because there's no oil pressure. Now keep in mind, just like tire pressures, these techs are not the know it all be all word of gospel and he may in fact be wrong on this one.
I had a phone conversation with @Rich W. when I put out my batman spotlight in the sky asking for a call as I was on the side of the road and wasn't sure about something with my Diesel Laptops Handheld device performing a forced regen to clear a problem. Somehow we got on the topic, I think he initiated it, asking me if I waited for the yellow outline lamp to go out on startup. I told him NO, mine never goes out. He said wait 30 seconds, it should go out and you should wait for this before starting the engine. Hmmm, okay, so I said I'll try it tomorrow (which was today). Sure enough, 10-15 seconds after all of the other light bar lights go out the yellow outline lamp went out. So from now on I will be patient and wait for it to go out as well prior to engine start. Can't hurt and maybe it is required for the ECM to do its preflight of everything to ensure all are in parameters? I'm not a Cummins expert or engineer, so let's discuss and learn from each other. This is the very reason I created RVForums.com is peers are so crucial to learning this lifestyle. There are some pretty complex parts to learn with these coaches as our sources of knowledge and education by the manufacturers are extremely lacking.
So share what you know, what you do, and maybe you too can help someone here as @Rich W. did for me yesterday. Our phone call is a 1:1 conversation so others can't learn from that so this is why I'm posting it and I welcome others to please share your knowledge and help our wonderful RV family and peers do things for the better.
What I do know is when turning the key on WAIT until all of the lights go out, including the glow plug yellow lamp and then start. However, about a year or two into ownership of mine something got my attention in that the yellow outline lamp didn't go out, it remained on. When I needed my head gasket replaced (under warranty) at Tucson Cummins I asked the tech about this and he said that's normal because there's no oil pressure. Now keep in mind, just like tire pressures, these techs are not the know it all be all word of gospel and he may in fact be wrong on this one.
I had a phone conversation with @Rich W. when I put out my batman spotlight in the sky asking for a call as I was on the side of the road and wasn't sure about something with my Diesel Laptops Handheld device performing a forced regen to clear a problem. Somehow we got on the topic, I think he initiated it, asking me if I waited for the yellow outline lamp to go out on startup. I told him NO, mine never goes out. He said wait 30 seconds, it should go out and you should wait for this before starting the engine. Hmmm, okay, so I said I'll try it tomorrow (which was today). Sure enough, 10-15 seconds after all of the other light bar lights go out the yellow outline lamp went out. So from now on I will be patient and wait for it to go out as well prior to engine start. Can't hurt and maybe it is required for the ECM to do its preflight of everything to ensure all are in parameters? I'm not a Cummins expert or engineer, so let's discuss and learn from each other. This is the very reason I created RVForums.com is peers are so crucial to learning this lifestyle. There are some pretty complex parts to learn with these coaches as our sources of knowledge and education by the manufacturers are extremely lacking.
So share what you know, what you do, and maybe you too can help someone here as @Rich W. did for me yesterday. Our phone call is a 1:1 conversation so others can't learn from that so this is why I'm posting it and I welcome others to please share your knowledge and help our wonderful RV family and peers do things for the better.