Cummins/Onan DMDB troubleshooting: 19 fault codes and symptom-cause-remedy entries from the manufacturer's own service documentation.
Cummins/Onan DMDB — full specs, parts & maintenance.
All Cummins/Onan fault codes →
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| FAULT 1 or FAULT 2 | The FAULT 1 or FAULT 2 fault lamp lights. Engine shuts down immediately, engine runs for several seconds and then shuts down, or engine continues to run. |
| Symptom | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Green RUN lamp lights following engine Start-up. | Indicates all engine systems are normal. No corrective action required. | |
| PRE HI ENGINE TEMP lamp lights. Engine continues to operate. | Indicates engine has begun to overheat and engine temperature has risen to approximately 205° F (97°C). If generator is powering non-critical and critical loads, and cannot be shut down, use the following: a. Reduce load if possible by turning off non-critical loads. b. Check air inlets and outlets and remove any obstructions to airflow. c. Open doors or windows in generator area to increase ventilation. If engine can be stopped, follow procedure in step 3. | |
| HI ENG TEMP lamp lights. Engine shuts down. | Indicates engine has overheated (engine temperature has risen above 215° F/102° C) or coolant level is low (sets with coolant level sensor). Allow engine to cool down completely before proceeding with the following checks: a. Check coolant level and replenish if low. Look for possible coolant leakage points and repair if necessary. b. Check for obstructions to cooling airflow and correct as necessary. c. Check for slipping fan belt, tighten if loose. d. Reset control and restart after locating and correcting problem. Contact your distributor if none of the above applies. | |
| PRELO OIL PRES lamp lights. Engine continues to operate. | Indicates engine oil pressure has dropped to 20 psi (138 kPa). If generator is powering critical loads and cannot be shut down, wait until next shutdown period and then follow step 5 procedure. If engine can be stopped, follow procedure in step 5. | |
| LO OIL PRES lamp lights. Engine shuts down. | Indicates engine oil pressure has dropped to 14 psi (97 kPa). Check oil level, replenish as necessary. Check oil lines and filters for leaks, repair as required. Reset control and restart. Contact your distributor if oil pressure is not in the range of 50 to 70 psi (345 to 483 kPa). | |
| OVERCRANK lamp lights and engine stops cranking. | A. Check for empty fuel tank, fuel leaks, or plugged fuel lines and correct as required. Engine runs, shuts down, and LO OIL PRES lamp lights. b. Check for dirty fuel filter and replace if necessary (see MAINTENANCE section). c. Check for dirty or plugged air filter and replace if necessary (see MAINTENANCE section). d. Refer to step 5. e. Reset the control and restart after correcting the problem. Contact your distributor for service if none of the above applies. | |
| Engine runs and then shuts down, OVERSPEED lamp lights. | Indicates engine has exceeded normal operating speed. Contact your distributor for service. | |
| SWITCH OFF lamp flashes. | Indicates Run-Stop-Remote switch is in the Stop position which will prevent automatic Starting. Moving the Run-Stop-Remote switch to the Remote position will stop the lamp flashing and enable automatic starting. | |
| LO FUEL lamp lights. Engine continues to run. | Indicates diesel fuel supply is running low. Check fuel supply and replenish as required. | |
| LO FUEL lamp lights. Engine shuts down and LO OIL PRES lamp lights. | Indicates engine has run out of fuel. Check fuel level and replenish as required. | |
| LO ENG TEMP lamp lights. Set is in standby mode but is not operating. | Indicates engine coolant heater is not operating (Lamp lights when engine coolant temperature is 70° F (21° C) or lower. Since the lamp goes out after the engine warms up, there should be no cause for alarm if it remains lighted during initial generator set operation.) | |
| Fault lamp lights but no fault exists. Engine gauges show oil pressure, engine temperature, and frequency (speed) are within normal limits. | The monitor board or a sensor may be at fault. | Contact your distributor for service. |
| Engine starts from generator control panel but will not start automatically or from a remote panel. | Note: The Run-Stop-Remote switch must be in the Remote position for automatic or remote starting. | Remote circuit breaker is tripped, reset breaker and restart. Contact your distributor if breaker trips after resetting. |
| Engine will not crank. | Indicates possible fault with control or starting system. | A. Fault lamp on. Correct fault and reset control. b. Poor battery cable connections. Clean the battery cable terminals and tighten all connections. c. Discharged or defective battery. Recharge or replace the battery. d. Contact your distributor for assistance if none of the above applies. |
| No AC output voltage. | Voltage regulator is inoperative. | Refer to Initial Start and Checks, and Adjustments sections of your Installation Manual for voltage check and adjustment procedures. Contact your distributor if voltage build-up is still a problem. |
| Green RUN lamp does not light following engine start-up. | Indicates possible Start/Disconnect relay failure. | Contact your distributor for assistance. |
| The engine does not start. | The starter will disengage after a specified period of time and the control will indicate an overcrank fault. Generator sets with the standard overcrank control will crank continuously for up to 75 seconds before disengaging the starter. Generator sets with the cycle cranking option will crank for 15 seconds and then stop for 15 seconds until 3 cycles have been completed. | Place the Run-Stop-Remote switch in the STOP position and momentarily depress the Reset switch. Wait two minutes for the Starter motor to cool and then repeat the starting procedure. |
| The engine does not run after a second attempt at Starting. | Refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING section. |
Fault codes and symptom→remedy steps extracted from this model’s service/owner documentation; verify against the official manual before servicing.
Documented causes: The monitor board or a sensor may be at fault.. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: Note: The Run-Stop-Remote switch must be in the Remote position for automatic or remote starting.. See the table for the matching fixes.
Documented causes: Indicates possible fault with control or starting system.. See the table for the matching fixes.