CEL blinks
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
From: Newalla, Oklahoma
CEL blinks
Under a heavy load my CEL blinks intermittently. My 5th wheel camper weighs almost 18,000 and the light blinks when pulling hills with it. It has also happened when I pull my enclosed tool trailer sometimes on steep hills. It never happens any other time. Anyone else have this happen or an idea what might be causing this. Gauges don’t change and I don’t notice any change in performance. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 994
Likes: 367
From: Republic of Texas
You have had 42 looks and no responses so I will be that guy.
Probably overboots, but I am just guessing.
If I remember correctly your truck has a 5th wheel weight of around 13000-14000 pounds, bumper pull is 10000 pounds, so that is part of the issue of you working it too hard. (if the one in your sig)
If you have a tune that is a contributing factor.
The gauges on the dash do not tell you much.
If you do not have after market gauges and running a tune you may not see the problem.
Have you pulled codes with FORScan??? If you have a light you have a code, unlike you may have codes without a light.
Probably overboots, but I am just guessing.
If I remember correctly your truck has a 5th wheel weight of around 13000-14000 pounds, bumper pull is 10000 pounds, so that is part of the issue of you working it too hard. (if the one in your sig)
If you have a tune that is a contributing factor.
The gauges on the dash do not tell you much.
If you do not have after market gauges and running a tune you may not see the problem.
Have you pulled codes with FORScan??? If you have a light you have a code, unlike you may have codes without a light.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
From: Newalla, Oklahoma
Great ideas! Since the light does not stay on I didn’t think there would be a code so I haven’t checked. The over boost is a definite possibility. I completely rebuilt this engine inside and out. Everything got replaced. Except cam and crank which only needed polished. Sleeved all cylinders. It only has 8300 miles on it. All my parts came from Rifraf diesel. They are absolutely great by the way.
the turbo was the only performance upgrade. All other upgrades were strictly for longevity. I do not run a tune. My thinking there may be off but I always felt like these engines were great right out of the box. Very strong and durable so why mess with it for a few more pony’s. Anyway Clay at Rifraf recommended a KC center cartridge for the turbo rebuild which was supposed to be pretty evenly matched to the new stock injectors.
I will check for codes and get back, but I’ll bet you are right. I have been wanting to buy a set of Pilar gauges but have been spending money on cosmetic stuff since the rebuild. Now I have a really good reason to get that done.
I’ll let you know what I find. Thank you for your help.
the turbo was the only performance upgrade. All other upgrades were strictly for longevity. I do not run a tune. My thinking there may be off but I always felt like these engines were great right out of the box. Very strong and durable so why mess with it for a few more pony’s. Anyway Clay at Rifraf recommended a KC center cartridge for the turbo rebuild which was supposed to be pretty evenly matched to the new stock injectors.
I will check for codes and get back, but I’ll bet you are right. I have been wanting to buy a set of Pilar gauges but have been spending money on cosmetic stuff since the rebuild. Now I have a really good reason to get that done.
I’ll let you know what I find. Thank you for your help.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
get a obd bluetooth adapter and download either forscan or torquepro to your phone and you can read codes as you go.
a good feature of torque pro is you can also monitor quite a few things while driving.
if the trucks computer has a sensor hooked to it, torque pro can read what the sensor is telling the computer.
a good feature of torque pro is you can also monitor quite a few things while driving.
if the trucks computer has a sensor hooked to it, torque pro can read what the sensor is telling the computer.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 109
Likes: 21
From: Newalla, Oklahoma
I was waiting for the weekend to check for stored codes because I’m very busy right now. I have other transportation anyway.
Needed to pick up some cement for a job I’m working on so I hooked up my 18’ flatbed, loaded 40 - 80 lb bags. And headed out. Not really much of a load but when I took off from a stop sign on what I would say was just an average hill it popped a boot off. I’d say that speaks to the boost issue. Bought all new boots and clamps from Rifraf when I rebuilt the engine. Seems like that should have happened pulling my camper, roughly 14,000 lbs heavier.
Anyway just letting you know, looks like you were on the money.
I’ll check codes this weekend and post again.
Needed to pick up some cement for a job I’m working on so I hooked up my 18’ flatbed, loaded 40 - 80 lb bags. And headed out. Not really much of a load but when I took off from a stop sign on what I would say was just an average hill it popped a boot off. I’d say that speaks to the boost issue. Bought all new boots and clamps from Rifraf when I rebuilt the engine. Seems like that should have happened pulling my camper, roughly 14,000 lbs heavier.
Anyway just letting you know, looks like you were on the money.
I’ll check codes this weekend and post again.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
The fix for popping boots is clean the heck out of all surfaces (I'd go with an alcohol wipe, not brakekleen, maybe lightly sandpaper to gently rough the metal surfaces) then hit them with hairspray. That will be lube for install and become glue after it dries.
A turbo with a spiff center section may build so much boost over OEM the PCM gets scared. Typically there will be a brief loss of power as the PCM cuts fuel to restore her dignity, but the fueling will return to normal in 30 seconds or so. Been a while since I experienced that. Without a specific tune to avoid this the fix is an over boost code regulator. It limits the PCM from seeing actual boost, instead it only sees a regulated level that makes it happy.
If this is the problem, it's a good one! Turbo be turboing with enthusiasm! You can kinda read boost (up to a limit) from the MAP sensor with Forscan or TP. I forget where the PCM chokes off fuel, maybe 24 psi? I recommend dedicated gauges for boost and fuel pressure for all these trucks.
A turbo with a spiff center section may build so much boost over OEM the PCM gets scared. Typically there will be a brief loss of power as the PCM cuts fuel to restore her dignity, but the fueling will return to normal in 30 seconds or so. Been a while since I experienced that. Without a specific tune to avoid this the fix is an over boost code regulator. It limits the PCM from seeing actual boost, instead it only sees a regulated level that makes it happy.
If this is the problem, it's a good one! Turbo be turboing with enthusiasm! You can kinda read boost (up to a limit) from the MAP sensor with Forscan or TP. I forget where the PCM chokes off fuel, maybe 24 psi? I recommend dedicated gauges for boost and fuel pressure for all these trucks.
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,559
Likes: 5,591
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
my 02 would defuel around 21 PSI. i made a "boost fooler" out of a cheap harbor freight 1/4 inch air pressure regulator. set it at 17PSI and stuck in it the line going to the MAP sensor. if i remember correctly it cost under $20
i can now easily make 26 PSI boost and still keep going
i can now easily make 26 PSI boost and still keep going
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