What Does The Stop Engine Light Mean? (Ford, Cummins, Etc…)
RVs, like cars, have lights. Not just headlights, parking lights, and interior lights but those lights that warn you of possible problems. The stop engine light is not one that should be ignored unless it goes out quickly. Then you should check it anyways when you get close to a mechanic.
What does the stop engine light mean? Generally, it means that the sensors have detected an issue and you need to check the engine out. For Freightliner, constant stop engine light going on and off means that the fuel pump is malfunctioning or going bad. What yours means will depend on the brand.
To learn more about the stop engine light just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know about in order to take the right action. Sometimes the flashes are code signals telling you exactly what is wrong with your engine.
Stop Engine Light 101
What is The Most Common Reason for Check Engine Light?
There are a variety of common issues that trigger the check engine light. Those common issues can be minor like a loose gas cap or major ones like the engine has a serious problem. Sometimes, the check engine light will light up when you are low on oil.
Also, if you have mice in the area, the check engine light may come on when wires have been chewed through by those rodents. Although the error code may indicate a problem with a vital part instead.
Other minor common issues would be spark plugs that need changing, engine coil may need to be checked, oxygen sensors are not working right, replace the catalytic converter, replace certain valves or sensors, injectors or thermostat.
It is also not easy to tell which issue the indicator light is referring to but if the light changes colors from yellow to red or starts to flash, it is best to take those notices seriously. Don’t ignore them as you could possibly damage your engine if you do.
Stop Engine Light on Peterbilt
As with all brands on this list, the meaning of the check or stop engine light will differ between motor models, as well as the year they were made. For the 2000 379 Peterbilt, it could be telling you that a sensor is off, the vacuum system has sprung a leak, or that there is a loose wire.
Or, as is the case for trucks built between 2008 and 2020, the light may simply malfunction. Almost a half-million trucks were recalled by this company due to a malfunctioning warning light.
That can put a lot of drivers at risk. Then the stop engine light may light up when there is an ambient temperature sensor issue Other problems could be that the engine is low on coolant and needs to be topped off as soon as possible.
Sometimes, stop engine lights do not indicate the real problem and you need to go to a qualified mechanic to figure out what is the problem. The main thing to remember is not to drive for long periods while it is on unless you have no other choice.
Freightliner Stop Engine Light
One trucker parked his rig one day and went to do some errands. Everything was fine when he left. When he came back, the warning lights were flashing and he could not figure it out. Turns out a military truck was parked next to his and when it left, the lights stopped flashing.
Either you have an extraordinary situation like that or you may have to do a standing regen. Also, Freightliner is known for having lights flash on and off for no reason. You could have a short in the system.
Then, the lights could be indicating that you have a problem with the sensors looking after the emissions system. With the stop engine light in this brand’s rigs, it may take a qualified mechanic to find the real problem.
Also, it could be that the coolant level is getting low. You should keep the level near the max line in order to avoid having the light turn on.
Stop Engine Light International Truck
This is the problem with a generic stop engine light. The illuminated light can indicate any number of problems on this brand’s trucks. To start the list it could be a wiring problem, a faulty sensor, or an injector that has gone bad.
Then it could be turned on because the engine is overheating or the crankcase pressure is off. It is hard to say exactly what will be wrong without having the specific error codes in front of us.
Serious problems will be low coolant levels, low oil levels, and a regen issue, or the AC may be malfunctioning in some way. Again, like the other brands, you may need to go see your qualified mechanic or dealer to figure out what is the exact issue that is triggering that light.
Then just be grateful if it is something minor and easy to fix. Check your owner’s manual to see what the codes mean and if you can still drive your rig when the light comes on.
Kenworth Red Stop Engine Light
The 2008 to 2020 Kenworths were also subject to the same recall notice that the Peterbilt owners received. If the light comes on, it could simply be a malfunction of the system. But that doesn’t mean you do not pull into a dealer and get it checked out.
As you have read, these lights come on for a variety of problems which can be major if not looked at right away. Or as soon as you possibly can. BUT with that said, it may be something as simple as someone leaving the coolant cap off the radiator or the gas cap is loose.
One thing you should do is check these simple locations to avoid any embarrassing moments at the dealership or the mechanic’s shop. Have sensors checked to make sure they are working well and if you are still in doubt, have a mechanic hook it up to a scanner to see the error codes.
Diagnosing engine trouble when the stop engine light comes on is not easy. There are just too many sources to know for sure.
Ford Stop Engine Light On
The loose gas cap is the most common issue when the stop engine light lights up. Then the spark plus system may be having issues as would the oxygen sensors. Or you are having problems with the catalytic converter, the mass airflow sensor or finally, there is a vacuum leak.
The symptoms for these problems can be rough idle, lower fuel economy, engine stalls out, sticks in one gear or loses power, has a hesitation when you step on the gas pedal, and the powertrain malfunctioned.
To know which is the problem and how to fix it you have to learn the different error codes. But that can only be done with an OBD-II scanner. In other words, you need to visit your mechanic that has that scanner to see what is actually wrong.
Before you do all that, check your fluid levels including oil, make sure all caps are on tight, and look for any loose wires. If the wiring is damaged or loose, you could be getting a false reading.
Cummins Stop Engine Light
As we said earlier, the type of problems you will encounter depend on the type of motor you have and what year Cummins built it. The N14 can shut down when the light comes on if the oil and coolant levels are low.
For the 750 it may be that the wrong filter was put in when the mechanics did a regen. If these are not the problem, nor the simple ones we have mentioned earlier as well, then you need to go to your dealer.
They have the equipment to check on the codes and find the exact issue that is causing the stop engine light to come on. It seems repetitive to keep saying the same thing for each brand of motor but the way engines are built these days, the same systems are used that create the same problems.
Modern engines require scanners now to check the error codes to see what is actually wrong. If you do not have one, then you need to go to the dealer and have them checked. This is the trend in the engine industry now.
Can You Disable a Check Engine Light?
It is possible to do but it is not something anyone would recommend. That is because the check light may be part of a closed system (see pre-2006 vehicles), and without that light, you may be shutting down other warning systems, etc.
If the light does not go off, you can try and remove the light bulb but you should go to a mechanic after doing that and have them check out the system. You are opening yourself up to issues that may damage your engine if you do not get any early warning signs.
You can also remove the fuse controlling the power to that light. But, if the light does not turn off, it may be an indication that there is a problem with the computer inside your car. Or another problem that needs to be fixed before the light turns off.
Some people turn the light off because they do not want to fix the wrong issues. Those reasons behind such decisions are usually unethical.
Will Check Engine Light Reset Itself?
It will but first, you have to fix the problem that caused it to light up in the first place. Then you may have to wait for a few cycles before the light will reset itself. A cycle is described as multiple times the car has been restarted when cold, then driven till it is warm, and then shut off again.
The number of cycles it takes to reset itself is somewhere between 10 and 30 depending on the motor, the brand, and the year the engine was built. This is the easy way to get it to shut off as all you have to do is drive your car regularly.
Or if you can’t wait, go to a dealer that has the proper equipment to reset the engine light for you. Either way, the light will shut off and be ready to warn you of a problem with your engine.
Is it Safe to Drive With the Engine Light On?
Not always. By that we mean, that it is only safe to drive if the issue is minor, a malfunction, or something that is not dangerous. It is not safe to drive our vehicle when the issue is major, you are low on oil or other fluids.
Make sure to check your gas cap as that may be the only reason the light came on. That6 is a simple fix and you can continue to drive your car with the light on. Remember, if the light is resetting itself, you may have to drive with the light on for many cycles.
This is one of the difficulties that come with this warning light system. You may be thinking you are resetting the light when there may be a new problem under your hood. Or you are thinking it is a minor problem when it is not.
It is best to double-check with a qualified mechanic to make sure there are no major issues when you drive with the light on. if the light changes color to red or says stop engine, then you should stop driving your car until the problem is fixed.
Some Final Words
The warning light system is in your car for a reason. While there will be times you can ignore it, do not ignore it on a general basis. keep an eye on your fluids, caps, and other minor parts to help you diagnose when it is a serious problem.
