Freigh. M2 check engine light when idle

gutovicobren

Rookie Expediter
I just bought 2004 M2 with 290.000 miles on it. Truck runs perfect but i notice when ideling at about 600 rpm check engine light comes on and then right after i raise rpm and let it idle at about 1000 rpm check engine light goes off. I know thay didnt change oil and its dirty. My queation is could it be only oil change or aomething else?

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davekc

Senior Moderator
Staff member
Fleet Owner
Hard to tell until you get the code for the check engine light. I doubt it has anything to do with getting the oil changed. Could be low oil pressure to low fuel pressure at that idle. It is not a high dollar item to have the code read.
 

tknight

Veteran Expediter
What motor is in it,I have the same truck and my check engine light has been on and off since new! No code to be read it's just haunted I got tired of being a dealer experiment
Just wait till the wiper haunt starts
 

hossman2011

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
What motor is in it,I have the same truck and my check engine light has been on and off since new! No code to be read it's just haunted I got tired of being a dealer experiment
Just wait till the wiper haunt starts
We have haunted wipers in ours too!!!! but I just wiggle the plug behind the boot and all is good for awhile....
 

mike1753

Seasoned Expediter
We have haunted wipers in ours too!!!! but I just wiggle the plug behind the boot and all is good for awhile....

I bet the wiper haunt has to do with the wiring and contacts in the turn signal lever and in which the wiper control is housed. I have seen many M2 Freightliners that have the same problem. Poor engineering and I am sure that Freightliner is aware of the problem of the "wipe haunt".

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jamom123

Expert Expediter
I have a 2005 m2 mbe 900 it does the same thing shows a code and sometimes will go off right away and sometimes won't. I have noticed though when it's on i can't use cruise control or idle up while sitting still. Does anyone know what the culprit could be? I have an APU don't know if that would affect it or not. Thanks.

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zorry

Veteran Expediter
Jamom-123. Speed sensor ?
Next time in shop have codes checked.
It's a simple fix.
 
Last edited:

runrunner

Veteran Expediter
I remember something about some Freightliners,you can read trouble codes using the cruise control buttons,gonna research that and will get back to all.
 

runrunner

Veteran Expediter
I found one such post. We will have to do more research and see how many model years this pertains too,and what engines as well,however I would think who made the engine would not matter.

Hi. Thanks for using JA! I will try and help you out.

You should be able to turn the key on, engine off. Then turn the cruise switch to off. Then hold the set and resume switch for a seecond Or two and the check engine light start blinking. I know all cat engine made since 1994 can do this. I think your 3176 can.

If the light starts blinking, count the blinks. All codes are 2 digits.
Let me know if you get a code.
Ask Your Own Heavy Equipment Question
 

zorry

Veteran Expediter
If you call a dealer, he should tell you what that code is and estimate a repair time and cost.
Then tell him you'll check your schedule to get back to him. :)
 

jamom123

Expert Expediter
I tried that they told me i would need to bring it in because one code could mean several things. Scam if you ask me. Sometimes i can do what runrunner was talking about and toggle the cruise control switch and it will flicker and go off, other times it will come on when i first start the truck and go out when i start moving, and sometimes it will stay on until i get in stop and go traffic. But like i was saying the only thing that i've noticed it affects is cruise control. It's wierd.

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runrunner

Veteran Expediter
I tried that they told me i would need to bring it in because one code could mean several things. Scam if you ask me. Sometimes i can do what runrunner was talking about and toggle the cruise control switch and it will flicker and go off, other times it will come on when i first start the truck and go out when i start moving, and sometimes it will stay on until i get in stop and go traffic. But like i was saying the only thing that i've noticed it affects is cruise control. It's wierd.

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That sounds like the fault is intermittent. What the dealer means by code could mean several things is correct,because the code just points to the system,it could be that a part needs replaced or just bad wiring,or vacuum to the part is bad.
 

RETIDEPXE

Veteran Expediter
Might try checking the connections to the cruise switches and/or replacing the switches. The cruise set button will also flash the ck engine light thereby counting out the codes while driving down the road, so, make sure your cruise on/off switch is on when hitting set/resume switch or else your ck engine light will flash out codes for a period of time.
 

BobWolf

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Start with an oil and filter change. Yes it could be that simple.

Also use a CI 4 rated oil. Pre 2007 engines don't do well with the newer CJ 4 due to the lower ash and different additive package.

Bob Wolf.
 
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