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CHECK ENGINE Light

Yahoo Message Number: 19340
While traveling from Chula Vista, CA to Tucson, AZ recently, a white CHECK ENGINE light came on in our dash. When we pulled over and CHECKED the ENGINE, we were not surprised to find it right where we thought it should be.

Perhaps we have completely misunderstood the meaning of this CHECK ENGINE light? What does it mean and what should be done about it?

Gary Collins

'05 Inspire 51491

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19355
Gary, don't know if your system is similar to ours on a 2002 Allure, but two areas we have found will prompt the light to come on. One is low coolant level, there is a a sender in the tank. Have stopped coolant loss with a 20 pound pressure cap instead of the 7 pound supplied by the factory. The other is temperature related if you are running hot, generally climbing a long grade in the summer. If temperature related, we solved the problem by installing support arms on the engine door. When the door is open, the temperature drops around 20 degrees. Good luck. John 2002 Allure
#30702

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19357
In our previous RV (on a Freightliner Chassis) the check engine light would come on if we exceeded the RPM's when using the Jake Break. It would come on, then go off as soon as we got the RPM's under the correct number. Had to keep a watch on the tach.
Not sure if this applies with the CC. We haven't had ours that long to tell.

Sue

'05, 42' Allure 31254

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19363
Hi John,

The manual uses inconsistent terminology when describing what I think is the CHECK ENGINE light, but it is related to low coolant, as you mentioned. The CHECK ENGINE light was flickering on and off, so we couldn't tell whether it was trying to come on or go off. I guess it was right on the edge.

We kept a close eye on the gauges for other indications of problems, but everything seemed 'normal,' including the engine temperature.
Engine temperature did not exceed 220 degs. Would you consider that to be high? Do you keep your engine door propped open when you're on the road to increase air circulation?

Thanks.

Gary Collins

'05 Inspire 51491

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19364
Hi Sue,

We usually leave the exhaust brake on at all times, unless we're using cruise control, which in this case, I think we were. That's another thing to watch, though.

Thanks.

Gary Collins

'05 Inspire 51491

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19391
Gary, we leave the door open any time we are in warm weather. In the photo area, we posted pictures of the support arms we made and also a screen that we built that goes inside the opening to keep us safe when the door is open. Aircraft type quick disconnects are used, takes only a couple of minutes to open the door. The Screen is designed to stay in place accept when the engine oil is checked. Takes only a minute to remove the screen. John 2002 Allure
#30702

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19399
We saw your pix on the web site, but with being new to this group and CC in general, what determines when you have the engine compartment cover open? I understand from what you've said that it would help cool the compartment, but do you leave it open when you're sitting still at a park or only when on the road and you've stopped for a bit and want the engine to cool down faster.

Thanks, Sue

'05, 42' Allure 31254

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19419
When in warm country, we leave the door open all the time. The screen prevents birds from nesting and fingers from being taken off. You can leave your door open on the catch above the engine door the next time you think you are going to climb a hill. The difference is about 20 degrees cooler on your engine and transmission gauges. CC has installed a screen in the engine door on new coaches we understand, but you can't close it in cool weather when engine heat is desireable.
Very easy to make the small aluminum arms, about 18 inches long. The quick release aircraft type pins are expensive, but we used bolts with rubber washers before converting to the pins. John 2002 Allure
#30702

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19423
John,

Very impressed with your photos showing your innovative door support arms and screen. It looks simple, but I would never have thought of it. A cooler running engine is always better than one than runs hot, no matter how that is achieved, but do you think the 20 degree drop in operating temperature is likely to extend the life of your engine significantly? We try to avoid weather extremes in our travels, particulary hot weather. We spend winters in Tucson, AZ but when it starts too get hot, we head north. Hill climbing might be one situation that could cause overheating. What temperature range would you consider normal?

Thanks for sharing.

Gary Collins

'05 Inspire 51491

Quote from: countryjrc

> Gary, we leave the door open any time we are in warm weather. In the > photo area, we posted pictures of the support arms we made and also a > screen that we built that goes inside the opening to keep us safe

when

Re: "CHECK ENGINE" Light

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 19454
Gary, when you leave Tucson, a number of routes will give you problems if you are pulling your toad and the temperature is above 90. I-17 north of Phoenix to Sunset Point is a long six percent grade, same is true of Oxbox Hill going to Payson. I-40 out of Needles, Califoria also has some pretty good grades. The Grapvine on I-5 out of Los Angles is another. Going East on I-10 out of Tucson has few long grades. There are a number of mountain passes in the West that are trouble. At high altitude, the 7 pound pressure cap will be exceeded at even normal temperatures. There is no car manufacturer that would consider a 7 pound system. I don't know if CC has adopted all the changes that were done last year on the experimental coach, but we have modified our coach with the improvements. Our side radiator cover has been louvered, but not with large openings like the experimental coach. Our flap below the radiator area is an after market unit that Desert West Installed. It stops the hot air from re-circulating when stopped. Hope the information is useful to lower your running temperature. The reason CC did all the work is the problems expected on the 2007 models with the new federal standards.
They have to run extremely hot to keep emmisons down. Our older coaches may well be a good future investment. John 2002 Allure
#30702