Before going into the various aspects of the Cummins fault code list and the Cummins engine code reader, it is necessary to take an overview of the company and its products.
An American multinational company, Cummins Inc. designs, manufactures, and distributes engines, filtration, and power generation products. Even though Cummins is renowned in the world of engines, it also services related equipment such as trucks and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, fuel systems, emission control, air handling, electrical power generation systems, and more.
The main Cummins Engine Business Unit offers aftermarket support as well as mid-range, heavy-duty, and high-power engines. Cummins engines are used in a variety of applications in several sectors. Let us take a few examples.
- Excavators, backhoe loaders, wheel loaders, and skid steer loaders in earthmoving equipment.
- Forklifts, cranes, telehandlers, and aerial lifts in material handling equipment.
- Graders, rollers, and pavers in road construction equipment.
- Forestry, drilling, crushing, processing, and ground support in industrial applications.
In the transportation sector, Cummins is among the leading innovators in engine technology. These include:
- Ram 2500, 3500 heavy-duty pickups, and Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 Chassis Cab trucks in road transport
- Powered diesel railcars in rail transportation
- Passenger vehicles in busses
Cummins is also in the power generation industry and provides engines of varying capacity such as:
- Generators in stationary power
- Electric and hybrid integrated power solutions and components in electric power generation systems
Other applications of Cummins engines are in the areas of mining, oil and gas, and defense.
Cummins Diesel Engine Fault Codes
If you are an owner of vehicles or equipment powered by Cummins engines, you must have come up against Cummins fault codes in the form of alphanumeric messages on the onboard computer display, typically tucked away below the dashboard on the driver’s side.
Cummins engine fault codes are alerts to warn you that something is not right with the engine and quick action is required. The fault codes may be a sign of a simple error or a complex one that may require downtime and stoppage of work.
Let us take a couple of examples to explain the concept of Cummins fault code better.
- Cummins engine fault code 1117: This fault code indicates a lost power supply with the ignition on. Possible causes are a faulty battery, damaged wiring harness, faulty ECM, or corroded or loose battery connections.
- Cummins engine fault code 1569: The explanation of this Cummins fault code is “Engine Protection Torque Derate” which in simple terms means the engine is reducing power due to a detected issue. It is related to problems that affect the engine performance such as with the aftertreatment sensors or actuators.
These codes will show up when you connect our Jaltest Cummins engine code reader to the onboard computer. The software will then guide you through all that is required to be done to get your vehicle or equipment back on the job at the earliest.
Know more about the types and models of Cummins engines
If you consider Cummins engine fault codes, there are two possibilities here.
The first is the pending or temporary Cummins engine trouble codes that indicate early signs of a problem which is at the minor stage and if left unattended, can blow up into a major issue necessitating downtime. Use the Jaltest software to track the trouble and clear it. Such temporary fault codes typically disappear within a few driving cycles.
The second is more serious issues where a great deal of overhaul is required. Here, our Jaltest Cummins engine code reader is very useful and makes the rectification process smoother. The Jaltest scanner is a user-friendly device that connects to the onboard computer of the vehicle. Once the software laptop is plugged in, turn on the engine, and it will read the Cummins fault code and zero in on the problem.
The Jaltest Cummins engine fault code list helps you pinpoint the exact issue with detailed descriptions of the fault. It will handhold you through the solution, backed by detailed wiring diagrams that assist you in finding the location of the fault, the precise nature of the fault, and what is required to be done. You can then carry out the fault-clearing solutions confidently with the Jaltest Cummins engine code reader.
The Jaltest software performs Cummins engine diagnostics and shows all engine electronic information on the laptop screen. Working with Jaltest is easy as it guides you through step-by-step diagnostics, schematic diagrams, and built-in engine drawings. Hence, troubleshooting time is reduced, and faulty diagnostics and resolution procedures are done away with as you get wiring and sensor location diagrams, and can adjust parameters to quickly and easily review and clear fault information.
A quick mention should be made here of a very specialized tool, the Jaltest Cummins ISX code reader. The Cummins ISX engine is one of the top-range Cummins heavy-duty diesel engines and the Jaltest ISX code reader is specifically designed to read and interpret this Cummins fault code. It directly retrieves diagnostic information like error codes and live data and helps you to identify and troubleshoot issues within the engine systems.
The main function of the Cummins ISX code reader is to display live engine data such as fuel pressure and coolant temperature and clear Cummins diesel engine fault codes. It also provides guidance on potential causes for the detected issues, making troubleshooting simple and an on-premises activity.
Preventive and Maintenance Activity With Jaltest Cummins Code Reader
The Jaltest Cummins fault code reader is a very intuitive and user-friendly Cummins diagnostic tool that ensures that all your equipment and vehicles powered by Cummins engines are always in peak working condition. With the software, you can carry out preventive maintenance to ensure that the Cummins engines are always on the job or quickly clear fault codes whenever they arise.
These two features are often termed preventive maintenance and clearing fault codes, both of which will be explained individually now in some detail.
A key feature in the Cummins fault code reader is full-system scans as a component of preventive maintenance that is performed at periodic intervals. In this mode, you scan all the systems starting from the engine and going on to the hydraulics, transmissions, brakes, lights, and more. Any minor issue here is quickly resolved before it takes on a bigger form that can lead to downtime and stoppage of work, often at crucial times of projects.
On the other hand, you have the fault-clearing work with the Cummins fault code reader. Whenever a fault arises and the code is displayed on the onboard computer screen, connect the Jaltest software laptop to it and get to the bottom of the issue. Once the code is identified per the model and make of the Cummins engine-powered vehicle, you will be guided on fault-clearing procedures.
It is important to note here that preventive maintenance with the Jaltest diagnostic tool will keep your equipment on the job without a break.
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Cummins Engine Trouble Codes and Forced Regens
One of the faults exclusive to diesel engines is soot accumulation in the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). In severe cases, it will turn out to be a major problem and the engine might seize up too. This soot buildup normally occurs when passive regens are incapable of removing the soot from the DPF and forced regens must be taken up. Typically, this condition takes place when the vehicle is on a stop-and-go workload as in excavators and dozers, and not much in long-haul vehicles such as trucks and buses.
When such a situation arises, our Jaltest Cummins engine fault code list will show fault code SPN 3712. It means that there is engine power derate due to DPF regeneration and that the ECM has limited engine power to facilitate a forced regen cycle. The most likely causes for soot buildup in the diesel particulate filter are clogged DPF, faulty DPF sensors, problems with exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), or low DEF levels.
One way of addressing this Cummins fault code is to use the Jaltest software tool to identify the exact fault code and its associated parameters. Inspect the DPF for excessive soot buildup, potential damage, or sensor malfunction.
Once any of these aspects are confirmed through the Jaltest Cummins engine code reader, the simplest solution is to run the engine on a high rev for around 40 minutes. The rise in the temperature of the exhaust gasses will burn away the soot accumulation. Next, the underlying issues for this state of the Cummins engine must be solved. These include replacing faulty sensors, cleaning the DPF, or addressing issues with the EGR system.
Summing Up
The Jaltest Cummins engine code reader is optimized for your Cummins engine-powered machine or vehicle regardless of its make or model. You get expert guidance to clear any fault codes quickly so that any minor issue does not become a major one and you get dealer-level servicing on your premises.
What makes our Jaltest diagnostic software and Cummins fault code reader a notch above the competitors is the user-friendly format. You do not have to go through an elaborate setup and configuration process through any third-party applications or drivers. Just download the software on your diagnostic laptop, plug it into the onboard computer and you are ready for cutting-edge checking of the Cummins engine functions.
Finally, we provide three updates to the Jaltest software every year. This is to ensure that the features of our software are in sync with the technical innovations made to Cummins engines every year and that the Jaltest software does not become obsolete and out of date.
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