Thermoking SB-210 Communication failure lost controller connect

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by FCBexpress, Jun 10, 2021.

  1. FCBexpress

    FCBexpress Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Jun 10, 2021
    0
    Hi all,
    I have a Thermo king SB-210 with about 15k hours on it. I was recently driving with my reefer on and when I parked I came outside to an off unit with a message of "Communication failure lost controller connect". I initially was thinking maybe there's a wire that came loose with the rough drive, so I restarted the unit and it was running for about 2 hours with no movement and I got the same message again. Any ideas?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. reeferwrencher

    reeferwrencher Medium Load Member

    590
    1,522
    Aug 4, 2018
    0
    Tighten battery terminals then open control box.Check for 12 volts at board if it has 12 volts and led light in center of board isn't flashing then board is bad.
     
  4. BRTLLC

    BRTLLC Bobtail Member

    5
    3
    May 20, 2022
    0
    Hey I’m having the same issue with my trailer. I checked battery terminals 12 volts at the board and green light flashing. But will run for awhile then it does it again. And shows no codes. Can anyone help?
     
  5. reeferwrencher

    reeferwrencher Medium Load Member

    590
    1,522
    Aug 4, 2018
    0
    The board has a device on it called a poly switch.Sometimes it will start to fail when it gets hot.Typically unit will run and then eventually cut out.When you restart it will run again for a while then fail again.This could be your problem unfortunately the only fix for this is to replace the board.
     
  6. Wistech#100215

    Wistech#100215 Bobtail Member

    4
    1
    May 31, 2022
    0
    I had one do this last week with 10,000 some engine hrs, I open the relay box door found the inside VERY wet because the black Capplug had fallen out of its hole allowing water to get in from rain or outside trailer washing, I unhooked the battery right away then dried this box out completely, made sure the plug was back in place, I then test ran this unit set at 33⁰ for 24 hrs so far lucky not to need a new main board
     
    reeferwrencher Thanks this.
  7. Adam876

    Adam876 Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Aug 13, 2024
    0
    Hi, I have a 2012 Thermo king SB 330 when I try to start it, it goes through the cycle but then before it starts, it shows no communication on the screen. I’d greatly appreciate it if You could give me some advice for things to try to resolve this issue thanks in advance
     
  8. dbny5000

    dbny5000 Light Load Member

    94
    56
    Dec 24, 2011
    San Francisco, CA
    0
    Having a similar issue. SB-230 powers on, then shows 9 codes for sensors that aren't readble -- discharge temp, coil temp, ambient temp, and also Code 68, "Internal Controller Fault Code." All of this has followed some heavyish rain in Florida. Gotta figure out if the controller or board are bad or if something wiring-wise is going on . . .

    • 68 -- CONTROLLER FAULT
    • 6 -- ENGINE COOLANT SENSOR
    • 5 -- AMBIENT AIR SENSOR
    • 3 -- CONTROL RETURN AIR SENSOR
    • 4 -- CONTROL DISCHARGE AIR SENSOR
    • 203 -- DISPLAY RETURN AIR SENSOR
    • 204 -- DISPLAY DISCHARGE AIR SENSOR
    • 12 -- SENSOR SHUTDOWN

    Various gauges are working -- oil pressure reportedly low (engine off), ETV position 100-something, and I think I saw a suction-pressure static reading. Don't know if I can isolate all of the non-working sensors to the J3 "Sensor Harness" and the working stuff to the J7 "Main Harness."
     
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2025
  9. reeferwrencher

    reeferwrencher Medium Load Member

    590
    1,522
    Aug 4, 2018
    0
    Is there 12 volts at the board?
     
  10. dbny5000

    dbny5000 Light Load Member

    94
    56
    Dec 24, 2011
    San Francisco, CA
    0
    Yes, reeferwrencher, 12.75 to all fuses on board. Green LED 21 is blinking but I did just find a red LED and it seems to be LED 23 . . . On-Off Relay???? Dunno if that's the cause of all this or if there's a wet sensor wire somewhere causing a sensor short of multiple sensors
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 6, 2025
  11. reeferwrencher

    reeferwrencher Medium Load Member

    590
    1,522
    Aug 4, 2018
    0
    Is the wiring diagram on the inside of the control box door?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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