Ignition switch

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Auto hauling, Jul 13, 2023.

  1. Auto hauling

    Auto hauling Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Aug 28, 2018
    Chicago
    0
    Hello everyone, I have a 2004 Peterbilt 379 cat c15 MBN, would a bad ignition switch cause the engine to shut off few seconds or minutes after start or shut off while driving because my truck will shut off while cruising and turn back on immediately, also it shuts off shortly after start, I have checked all wires, relays and battery to ecm power supply cable they all checked out, I’m wondering if ignition switch is at fault
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Jaguar115

    Jaguar115 Heavy Load Member

    787
    756
    Apr 4, 2008
    Warsaw, Mo
    0
    Try wiggling the key while the engine is running. If it shuts off you've found the culprit. I've never experienced it on a big truck, but have in my 68 camaro. (also, if you have A LOT of keys on your key ring, it can wear the switch out)
     
    Bean Jr. Thanks this.
  4. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

    2,935
    7,940
    Jan 2, 2012
    NW, Iowa
    0
    When you say shuts off what do you mean? Do you have to re start the truck or does it just die for a split second and come right back to life?
     
  5. Goodysnap

    Goodysnap Road Train Member

    3,749
    9,121
    Jul 12, 2017
    0
    You say you have checked power and ground to the ECM, but how?

    Put a sealed beam headlamp on the circuits and shakedown the wiring for the light to go out. From the ECM all the back to the batteries.
     
  6. Auto hauling

    Auto hauling Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Aug 28, 2018
    Chicago
    0
    Yes , when I’m cruising it shuts off for a second and come back to life on its own .
    But when it’s I’m at idle it will shut off about a minute after start , then I’ll turn the key to start
     
  7. Auto hauling

    Auto hauling Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Aug 28, 2018
    Chicago
    0
    I’ll try that, but truck is shutting off for a second and come back to life anytime. It doesn’t have to be on rough roads or hitting a road pump, also it doesn’t at idle , but I’ll have to start it again with key
     
  8. Auto hauling

    Auto hauling Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Aug 28, 2018
    Chicago
    0
    Big thanks to everyone trying to help
     
  9. zinita17601

    zinita17601 Road Train Member

    1,318
    1,603
    Aug 19, 2010
    lancaster pa
    0
    I had a very similar issue,drove me crazy,it was the ecm fuse in the battery box making bad connection.
    I relocated the fuse to the engine bay after replacing it with a blade fuse the kind you bolt on to the end of the wires,problem solved.good luck
     
  10. Auto hauling

    Auto hauling Bobtail Member

    9
    1
    Aug 28, 2018
    Chicago
    0
    I will try that in the morning when I get to the truck, thank you
     
  11. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

    2,935
    7,940
    Jan 2, 2012
    NW, Iowa
    0
    Could be your cam or crankshaft position sensor. I believe an MBN uses both. If one looses signal it will hiccup for just a second and then just use the other sensor. If it looses both it won't run. I don't think this sounds like your problem though.
    I had one of the sensors go bad. When you started the truck it would cut out for just a split second and then come back to life and be fine the rest of the day
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.