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Old 07-02-2019, 10:35 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
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Year: 1998
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Engine Diagnostics

Hello!

First post, hoping someone can help.

I have a 98 Amtran RE with T444E.

I took a gamble when I bought it as it came with a warn engine light. The bus barn said they had it checked twice and couldn’t find anything wrong. I took their word for it and it drove 8 hours home. Starts runs and drives fine... although it does overheat in the hills if I go over 62mph.

Looking for the engine diagnostics button and I am afraid this has been removed by the school district or something. There are a few holes in the dash and I’m afraid it’s gone.

Anyone know where this button is or should be?? Any other way to get codes like a scan tool or anything?!

Thanks for all your help. Conversion is just beginning!

Ps I hope this is in the right section,

Rex

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Old 07-03-2019, 07:41 AM   #2
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I have never heard of a diagnostic button. My 98 Carpenter RE has a diagnostic port under the front of the bus. 98’s don’t typically have an ODBII Port like newer vehicles. Check under the front of the bus and in the engine compartment.
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Old 07-03-2019, 08:02 AM   #3
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Scanner.......
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VX2NP4W...v_ov_lig_dp_it
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Old 07-03-2019, 08:19 AM   #4
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yes the navistars are supposed to have a diagnostic button right next to the grey or green round connector under the dash..



an Over-heat will trigger the WARN light as well as the Oil / water light will flash and beep..



if it starts getting hot in the mnountains then slow it down! dont ever let it get to "overheat" status.. you only ever have a couple of those before you ruin the engine or at least blow the head gaskets / Crack an injector cup..



chances are your fan clutch is no good or the radiator is clogged.. I have a better bet on the fan clutch because the issue doesnt show up when running at lower loads or in town..
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Old 07-03-2019, 08:31 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
yes the navistars are supposed to have a diagnostic button right next to the grey or green round connector under the dash..



an Over-heat will trigger the WARN light as well as the Oil / water light will flash and beep..



if it starts getting hot in the mnountains then slow it down! dont ever let it get to "overheat" status.. you only ever have a couple of those before you ruin the engine or at least blow the head gaskets / Crack an injector cup..



chances are your fan clutch is no good or the radiator is clogged.. I have a better bet on the fan clutch because the issue doesnt show up when running at lower loads or in town..

Do you think the code could be cleared?

The bus barn said they put a new fan switch (or relay?) on it. What’s a good test Of the clutch? I had someone increase throttle while I was in the back and heard/felt the increase of air flow.

I’ll check under the dash for the button. My workplace has a 96 4700 International box truck and it has a push button labeled Engine Diagnostics on the Lower right side of the dash.

Haven’t been in the mountains, just hilly roads! Definitely staying away from overheating. It climbs from 180 or so to 215. I back off throttle when I see it climb over 180.
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Old 07-03-2019, 12:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RexPearl View Post
Do you think the code could be cleared?

The bus barn said they put a new fan switch (or relay?) on it. What’s a good test Of the clutch? I had someone increase throttle while I was in the back and heard/felt the increase of air flow.

I’ll check under the dash for the button. My workplace has a 96 4700 International box truck and it has a push button labeled Engine Diagnostics on the Lower right side of the dash.

Haven’t been in the mountains, just hilly roads! Definitely staying away from overheating. It climbs from 180 or so to 215. I back off throttle when I see it climb over 180.
There is no concern at all if you are running temps between 180-215, those are normal operating temps. When it gets over 225*, slow it down. 235* things can start to get ugly.
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Old 07-03-2019, 03:28 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
There is no concern at all if you are running temps between 180-215, those are normal operating temps. When it gets over 225*, slow it down. 235* things can start to get ugly.



Ok that is great. Next time I'm out, I'll have to see if it tapers off at 215 or keeps going.



Now if I can get that code sorted out! At work at the moment. Holding my breath and hoping to uncover the engine diagnostics button so I can flash whatever codes are present.
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Old 07-03-2019, 03:41 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cadillackid View Post
yes the navistars are supposed to have a diagnostic button right next to the grey or green round connector under the dash..



an Over-heat will trigger the WARN light as well as the Oil / water light will flash and beep..



if it starts getting hot in the mnountains then slow it down! dont ever let it get to "overheat" status.. you only ever have a couple of those before you ruin the engine or at least blow the head gaskets / Crack an injector cup..



chances are your fan clutch is no good or the radiator is clogged.. I have a better bet on the fan clutch because the issue doesnt show up when running at lower loads or in town..

I saw a comment in another post about the ScanGauge D. This sounds like the best way to check codes, albeit flashing them is free. Would this port be near, on or under the dash as well?


Thank you!
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Old 07-03-2019, 03:42 PM   #9
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Edit: Saw a comment of yours
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Old 07-03-2019, 06:47 PM   #10
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Wow. Thanks to this board! I found the button and flashed the codes. See below... I’ve got a list to cross reference but let me know is anything stands out to you?!

Active
246 211 251
Inactive
325 113 211 313 321 225 626 231 525
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Old 07-03-2019, 07:32 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RexPearl View Post
Wow. Thanks to this board! I found the button and flashed the codes. See below... I’ve got a list to cross reference but let me know is anything stands out to you?!

Active
246 211 251
Inactive
325 113 211 313 321 225 626 231 525
Go to your profile and add your bus info, easier to address your questions.
Here's what the diagnostic port looks like on my 99 International.
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Old 07-03-2019, 08:20 PM   #12
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Excellent. That’s what I’ve got as well.
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Old 07-03-2019, 08:35 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by RexPearl View Post
Excellent. That’s what I’ve got as well.
Where's the button you speak of to show codes?
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Old 07-03-2019, 09:07 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Where's the button you speak of to show codes?
Let’s see if the photo shows up.
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Old 07-03-2019, 10:08 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by RexPearl View Post
Let’s see if the photo shows up.
My D-port is just hanging there, no plate with a button. I'' have to look closer under there for a button. Where do you read the codes when you push the button?
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Old 07-03-2019, 10:38 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
My D-port is just hanging there, no plate with a button. I'' have to look closer under there for a button. Where do you read the codes when you push the button?
Don’t have the post in front of me but this was the process I read:

-Push and hold that button
-Turn ignition ON
-Release Button
-Give the dash a few seconds and some lights will blink
-When the Warn Engine light starts blinking, start counting the number of blinks.
-It will flash three digit codes.
-Blink, Blink.....Blink, Blink, Blink,....Blink... is code 231 for example
-Between each code a red light (oil maybe?) will blink to separate them.
-First codes (however many) are active.
-Red light blinks twice and then the inactive codes are flashed.


I’m concerned after reading my codes that I need a new or rebuilt HPOP... I have to crank mine about 7-10 seconds to start. After seeing oil pressure low codes paired with this symptom, I’m afraid I might have that.

I’ve also got a glow plug code... the bus barn put a push button switch for them and I’m sure the computer doesn’t like that.
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Old 07-03-2019, 11:05 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet View Post
Oops! Saw this link well after asking cadillackid about it. Seems like the one to have! Thanks for the link.
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Old 07-04-2019, 06:11 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
My D-port is just hanging there, no plate with a button. I'' have to look closer under there for a button. Where do you read the codes when you push the button?
My Thomas has the button on the switch panel with all the other stuff like lights and wipers.
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Old 07-04-2019, 05:31 PM   #19
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Code 246 is engine fan code. Does your bus have an electrical fan along with the large blade fan or just one fan?

Code 211 is engine oil pressure signal out of range. Oil pressure good? Level full? Oil dirty?

Code 251 is glow plug control self test fault. Does your "Wait to Start" light come on when the key is ON and then goes out? Does it come on and go out immediately?

Code 325 is engine power reduced due to high coolant temps or fan issue.
Code 113 is a low battery voltage code.
Code 313 is a low oil pressure code.
Code 321 engine temp too hot.
Code 225 is another oil pressure code.
Code 626 is unexpected Reset possibly from dead batteries.
Code 231 is a communication link error
Code 525 is injector driver circuit fault.

Clear all the codes with a scan tool like I linked earlier and then we can see what comes back. I would also check the engine oil and see if it's clean or dark and burnt. Check the engine fan or fans and see if they are working. Check the condition of the engine coolant.
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Old 07-04-2019, 07:29 PM   #20
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Well lookie what I found. Now I know why the D-port was just hanging. I'll check the codes later when I can write them down, it does work though.
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