Left me stranded

[WMoroni]

My 11 in my sig left me stranded Friday. We were pulling my excavator on the gooseneck. The excavator weighs about 16,000. Any way I was about 6 miles from the house after a 50 miles trip and the truck banged and shook, almost like a tire blew, hard enough to shake dust from under the truck, then the check engine light and the glow plug light started blinking and the engine died. It didn't completely die it ran just enough for me to have a little power steering. Kinda more like off and on rather than rough running. After I got on the shoulder and stopped put it in park, it died, wouldn't start. Poured 5 gal diesel in it to make sure it wasn't out. DEF level was 88%. Engine temp was 228, transmission about 196, 101 outside. Pulled it abot a 1/8 mile to a pull over and let it sit. Came back an hour later still no start. 2 hours later I called a tow truck, when he got there it started and ran fine. By the way C&C trucks aren't covered by roadside assitance. Any ideas what happened. Truck had exactly 13,000 miles when it died.

 

[HBarlow]

I have nothing to offer but am curious and would like to read your report when you learn what happened.

 

[WMoroni]

I dropped it at the dealer yesterday so that they can have it first thing Monday. The odd thing is no check engine light after it started back but it was blinking while it was stalling. Hopefully it logged something so the tech can just plug in and it will tell us what happened.

 

[HBarlow]

You don't have many miles on it yet, do you?

What was the truck doing when it died? Under heavy load pulling hard or loafing along steady speed? high rpm or moderate? heavy or light throttle? In Tow/Haul mode? What gear?

 

[WMoroni]

Truck was in tow haul at the time, 5th gear, had just drove through a small town and had gotten back on the more open road. Roads are flat here. I had just acclerated from 40 to about 65 and had leveled off at that for about a mile when BANG!!! Thought I had blown a tire, but not the case. It was low of fuel but not out. As I said above my excavator weighs about 16,000 so it was loaded pretty good. It was 101 out with 46% humidity. Having just drove through town the transmission had got to 196. The engine temp at the time was 228. It had gotten as high as 232. I hate how hot these new trucks run. Fan doesnt kick in till 220 cools back to 212 pretty fast.

 

[RonD]

I am guessing you ran out of fuel, the sound was the driveline banging around when the engine stopped producing power

 

[HBarlow]

That's strange. You clearly had a heavy load on the truck but were not really workking the engine or drive train when something failed.

You didn't mention it so I guess there was no evidence of oil, fluid, or coolant leaks.

 

[WMoroni]

All fluids checked normal. Added 5 gallons fuel to make sure it wasnt out. I've only had a half dozen of these trucks with the common rail so I know how to start them after you run out of fuel or change the filter, it wasn't out of fuel. It was almost like it was turning the key off and on except the radio and stuff stayed on. It was dinging, the check engine light blinking, and of all things the grid heater light was blinking. I don't the the bang was imediate with the power loss but procedded it by about 10 seconds. Because there was enough time for my wife to ask "What did you run over?" and for me to look in the mirror and tell her nothing I think we blew a tire. Hopefully will know more first thing in the morning.

 

[HBarlow]

I am clueless. I guess you'll know tomorrow. I hope it was something simple but loud.

 

[WMoroni]

No idea what the bang was . Engine would not start because of a problem with the wireless control module, what ever it does. Also had a couple codes stored pertaining to the DEF system. Getting a reflash, a sending unit, and a new sensor of some type. Supposed to be good to go after that. I'll get more info in a day or two. Too busy around here to worry about the truck for a couple days.

 

[WMoroni]

The wireless control module is what actually holds the key fob and senses the chip in it. Basically the key switch. Does some other things also, like reads the tire pressure sensors and such.

 

[HBarlow]

Its good news that the problem was caused by a minor electronic module not something serious.

 

[AfterBurner]

So the problem seems to be fixed so far?

 

[AH64ID]

Very interesting. I wonder if the bang was something in the trans from the "on-off-on-off" from the faulty wireless module?

 

[WMoroni]

Very interesting. I wonder if the bang was something in the trans from the "on-off-on-off" from the faulty wireless module?

Thats my best guess.



Been busy so haven't went and got the truck yet. Hope all is well, going to pick it up tomorrow.

 

[WMoroni]

Truck left us stranded again today. Same thing except today it was just sitting idleing in the parking lot. Made a slight pop sound under the hood and died. Wouldn't restart. After about an hour it started back ran for about 10 minutes made a slight pop and died again. After about 20 minutes it finally started got it to parking lot and pulled in and parked. After a minute or two it died again. Always makes the slight pop like a valve closing or something, maybe a slight backfire. I called a friend to come get us and left the truck in the parking lot. I'm going to go back tomorrow and get it and bring it home.

 

[HBarlow]

Bad news! Intermittent problems can sometimes be very difficult to diagnose. I hope your dealer service department is a good one and can find the cause.

 

[martion007]

My guess is it decided it was to hot. I mean at what temp does the engine shut-down?

I pull big loads also and the higest temps I ever get is 220. The fan does begin to operate at 208 or so just not in full. at 210-215 it should become a full fan that You can hear. Engine temp was 228? That is HOT.



M2011 SLT diesel 2wd duelly, 68RFE, 373 rears

Full DPF deletes w/mini-max

firestone airbags/ on the fly adjust

woodhouse dodge sleeper berth

110 gallon extra aluminum fuel tank

RV hauler

 

[roberthall0]

Have you checked your fuel filter? If your filter is clogged, your truck may temporarily be starved for fuel causing it to die, then after sitting for awhile enough fuel gets through the filter making it possible to start the truck.

 

[WMoroni]

UPDATE: Changing the fuel rail tomorrow. The pressure relief popoff is shot. Don't know why. Tech at dealer said that this is the 4th one he has replaced this year and only on 2011 C&C trucks. Said he used to have trouble out of them on the 5. 9s when people had the pressure boxes on but hasnt had trouble with the popoffs in several years. He thought it was odd that he has changed four this year and that it has only been on the C&Cs.