99 Freightliner N14+ code 343 after overheating

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by xsetra, May 31, 2015.

  1. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Last week I ran to Virginia. Going up hill on I-64 I had a return hose blow out and had a severe loss of fluid. I put 9 gallons of fluid in radiator to fill it again.
    The temperature warning light did not come on, only my low coolant alarm. Motor did not shut down.
    Since then I have driven 1200 miles with no problems. Today doing typical maintenance. Checking belts and fluids. Tightened belts.
    I started truck to check belts. Truck started and ran fine. I shut the truck off and hit the diagnostics switch now the yellow check engine light stays on. It flashes a 343 code.
    The grounding fuse was blown between the ECM and the block. I changed the fuse. Cleaned all grounds on chassis, starter, alternator and batteries.
    I even disconnected EPS and the ECM cleaned connections and reconnected. I also disconnected alternator while truck was running, no change in warning light.
    Truck starts and runs normal but the yellow check engine light stays on and same code when I check it.
    Is my ECM going bad. Could it some how overheated or shorted out when my radiator hose blew open. I had coolant all over the engine compartment.
    I plan on taking it to a Freighliner dealer tomorrow and have it checked. I think I know the answer just hoping I missed something.
    Thanks for any advice.
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    ECM is cooled by the fuel. Most likely you have coolant inside of a wiring harness. When was the last time the eps was changed it will throw same code
     
  4. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    On my truck a yellow light is a inactive code. Red light is a active code. It's a 2000 fld. Might want to have code cleared and see if it comes back. Also would unplug and clean injector connections. No telling where that coolant got into.
     
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  5. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    January of 2014 I changed the EPS and the ECM. To clarify the ECM I installed came from a Volvo same year same motor. I haven't had any codes until yesterday. Truck has been running good.
    I was reading my old emails and this same phenomenon was active when I first installed this ECM but it stopped. I just didn't remember.
    How do I clear codes. I disconnected ECM cleaned those connections and also disconnected batteries, I would've thought that would clear codes. Something else I need to try.
    I did put my original ECM back in to see if it would work, apparently the company I paid to repair the old ECM did not do it.
    BUT the code did go away. When I put the working ECM back in the code was there again.
    Thanks for the tip to clean Injector connections. I will go do that now.
     
  6. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Best way to clear codes is with a laptop. Not sure if key cycles will do it.
     
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  7. beemergary

    beemergary Light Load Member

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    Temperature sensors can't read when there's no coolant from a sudden loss.
     
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  8. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    Bad news (for me) as I sit in Des Moines Pilot. The red stop engine light came on. I started to get a little nervous. Luck me I got into the truckstop. Hauling an oversize load. My bees got postponed.
    When I shut truck off and did the diagnostic check. I get a code 111.
    Imminent ECM failure. Well heck that doesn't sound like fun.

    4 weeks I ago I needed a tow truck to get me home to change my transmission. This time I can change the ECM here in the TS parking lot.
    As long as I disconnect batteries first. I can just unbolt ECM and replace, correct? Nothing to short. I can buy a Rebuilt ECM with a year warranty here in DesMoines.

    Hopefully I'm rolling by noon.
     
  9. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Just be gentle with the harness,those wires have some age on them.
     
  10. xsetra

    xsetra Road Train Member

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    20 minutes to remove ECM. 1.5 hours to wait for taxi. 10 mile ride to Cummins. 1 hour later. Pocket $3300 lighter. 10 mile ride back to truck. 20 minutes to put back in. On the road By 1pm. Not such a bad delay, time wise only 6 hours.

    Cheaper than a tow and waiting for a garage to install an ECM, and who knows how many tests charged to affirm the ECM was bad.

    062 I 've had the ECM out of the truck about 10 times in the last year. Those wires are limber. But you're right take it easy with the old harness.
     
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  11. mrbamcclain

    mrbamcclain Light Load Member

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    If you kept the core do yourself a favor and have it rebuilt. Stick it under the bunk just because. Rebuilds can be done between $4-$600
    343 is/was a processor chip failing. Sure sign it's about to die soon. Most likely the block cooked the insides and the chip pulled away from the board. The ECM cooling plate barely keeps it cool enough when everything is working as it should
     
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