Engine Light on After Cold Start

[Hecmn]

Interesting that the 3-minute note is in some model year manuals and not others.

I drive it frequently spring through fall. Somewhat parked in the winter months otherwise with how much road salt is used in MN I would have a diesel engine with no truck body/frame. In the winter I will run it periodically, every 1 to 2 weeks, usually picking and choosing when roads are clear. Right now, I have just over 52,000 miles and 1348 engine hours. Idle hours are at 214, so about 16%. Have about 20,000 towing miles. Seems like much less than 15% - 16% idle time would be hard to achieve since Cummins also recommends 5 minutes of cool down time after heavy towing.

Another part of my reasoning for warmup has nothing to do with the heater cycle but rather engine temp in general. This comes from my work background of designing and testing cooling systems for industrial diesel engines. Primarily for the mining and oil/gas industries. Whenever we would test the cooling system on the equipment the engine manufacturer would insist on a warmup period and generally a stepped approach to reaching full horsepower. This was consistent whether it was Cummins, Detroit Diesel, CAT or MTU. At some point Cummins established a minimum ambient temperature for testing, I think 70F, so coolant temps weren't too low during full power.

I have read and heard good things about the NOCO product. Right now, I have an Optimate5 charger/tender and a John Deere branded tender - not sure who makes it for them (my wife worked at JD dealer briefly).

What battery make do you prefer? I have had good luck with Interstate in other vehicles, campers and boats.

 

[Trash Panda]

Interesting that the 3-minute note is in some model year manuals and not others.

I drive it frequently spring through fall. Somewhat parked in the winter months otherwise with how much road salt is used in MN I would have a diesel engine with no truck body/frame. In the winter I will run it periodically, every 1 to 2 weeks, usually picking and choosing when roads are clear. Right now, I have just over 52,000 miles and 1348 engine hours. Idle hours are at 214, so about 16%. Have about 20,000 towing miles. Seems like much less than 15% - 16% idle time would be hard to achieve since Cummins also recommends 5 minutes of cool down time after heavy towing.

Another part of my reasoning for warmup has nothing to do with the heater cycle but rather engine temp in general. This comes from my work background of designing and testing cooling systems for industrial diesel engines. Primarily for the mining and oil/gas industries. Whenever we would test the cooling system on the equipment the engine manufacturer would insist on a warmup period and generally a stepped approach to reaching full horsepower. This was consistent whether it was Cummins, Detroit Diesel, CAT or MTU. At some point Cummins established a minimum ambient temperature for testing, I think 70F, so coolant temps weren't too low during full power.

I have read and heard good things about the NOCO product. Right now, I have an Optimate5 charger/tender and a John Deere branded tender - not sure who makes it for them (my wife worked at JD dealer briefly).

What battery make do you prefer? I have had good luck with Interstate in other vehicles, campers and boats.

I’m a big fan of the Walmart AGM’s.

Good quality and performance coupled with the best warranty in the game. I normally despise dealing with Wally World, but I make an exception for their batteries for sure.

 

[AH64ID]

I’ve had good luck with Costco Interstates, hard to argue with the price warranty. I hear lots of good things about Walmart AGM’s too, I’ve just never tried them.

The turbo cooldown times is up to 5 minutes. The chart also hasn’t been updated for 25+ years and the turbos have been water cooled since 2007. I used EGT readings from my CTS3 for cooldown, sometimes 1-2 minutes was all it took. The 19+ truck seem to count idle hours faster than the earlier trucks. I had no issues keeping the idle time around 8% on my 2018 (sold at 51,766 with 122 idle 1508 total) but my 2022 had 10.6 when I sold it and I had to actively work on keeping them that low (32,357 with 101/953).

There is definitely something to be said for not working a cold engine. Where we live I’m able to drive easy for the first few miles so the warmup is gentle but also quick when towing.

I know the trucks will limit power in extreme cold to protect the turbo, but I don’t think the phase power in based on coolant temps… but they should.

I’ve read Cummins doesn't want full power applied below 140°F, which I used as a guideline especially when towing during warmup.

 

[Hecmn]

I’ve had good luck with Costco Interstates, hard to argue with the price warranty. I hear lots of good things about Walmart AGM’s too, I’ve just never tried them.

The turbo cooldown times is up to 5 minutes. The chart also hasn’t been updated for 25+ years and the turbos have been water cooled since 2007. I used EGT readings from my CTS3 for cooldown, sometimes 1-2 minutes was all it took. The 19+ truck seem to count idle hours faster than the earlier trucks. I had no issues keeping the idle time around 8% on my 2018 (sold at 51,766 with 122 idle 1508 total) but my 2022 had 10.6 when I sold it and I had to actively work on keeping them that low (32,357 with 101/953).

There is definitely something to be said for not working a cold engine. Where we live I’m able to drive easy for the first few miles so the warmup is gentle but also quick when towing.

I know the trucks will limit power in extreme cold to protect the turbo, but I don’t think the phase power in based on coolant temps… but they should.

I’ve read Cummins doesn't want full power applied below 140°F, which I used as a guideline especially when towing during warmup.

I'm leaning towards Costco Interstates for replacements. As you said, hard to argue with the price and warranty. Had new tires put on last spring at Costco - they are 1 hour away in Duluth, but were about $600 lower than a local business. Try to go local as much as possible, but .... $600.

You must really work at keeping idle time down. I have read the same on power and the 140F temp and try to pay attention to that as well. You'd think that stepping power would be pretty simple in the engine control software.

Just for grins I hooked up my charger late yesterday and then will go for a drive to see if the engine light shuts off. Might be a week or two before I get to Duluth for replacement batteries.

 

[Hecmn]

I’m a big fan of the Walmart AGM’s.

Good quality and performance coupled with the best warranty in the game. I normally despise dealing with Wally World, but I make an exception for their batteries for sure.

I have read on this and other forums where many people have good things to say about the Walmart AGMs. Has me curious. Before running to Costco I will do a cost compare at our local Walmart.