First Drive Not So Encouraging, Help and Advice Needed

[MSGGrunt]

Vehicle is a 2005 FG140 with 190k. Starts and idles great. Took it around the block and within a 1/4 mile the check engine light came on, and the truck would barely move. No RPM above idle. Would not take any throttle input from the pedal. I limped home in first gear and started doing some maintenance, first of which was to change the oil and filter. I drained the oil and after measuring it there was only 6 quarts that drained out of the oil pan.

So, would low oil, half the required amount, cause the check engine light to come on and the engine have no power? I added the correct 12 quarts of new oil and started the truck. Oil light went out immediately and no check engine light, but I am hesitant to take it out on the road again until I ask here what I could be looking at. Was the truck just in a limp mode because of the low oil or could I be looking at some other reason the truck had no power?

My OBDII scanner didn't seem to work on the Fuso. Were the 2005's not OBDII compliant or do I need a different diagnostic scanner like one from Autel?

 

[Czechsix]

Low oil might do it. Or a hundred other things, only way to start to know is pull the codes. The OBDII scanners you normally find won't work, you need either a STAR scanner system, or find a shop with a medium duty/heavy duty shop that can pull the codes. STAR scanner system, when I had to buy it for my old FGB82, was over six grand. Stuff like this was one of the main reasons I gave up on the Duonic FUSO, or really any vehicle with advanced electronics, at least in regards to usage in austere environments.

The easiest way that might work is look up the procedure to show the fault codes using your instrument panel. That'll give you a good start.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I don't think my 2005 has the same ability by pushing the buttons in the instrument cluster. I only have one button and that just resets the trip meter.

Possibly a dirty fuel filter? I have a fresh one, so that will be getting changed regardless. But it will sit and idle at 2,000 RPM all day long when the idle knob is turned all the way up so?

 

[Czechsix]

Yeah, your earlier model might not have the capability. The manuals are out there in .pdf form, and they'll tell you how to do it.

Could be a fuel filter, pcv filter, oil filter, etc. I'd start by doing all filters, all fluids, all PMCS, see where that leads you.

 

[MSGGrunt]

And would it be wrong to assume it would not be a bad throttle position sensor seeing I can rev the motor when just idling?

Other things I have read about could be a loose turbo hose.

Need to check the air filter as well, which I have a new one already.

 

[mog]

It has been a while so my memory is foggy, but you can read codes (and reset error codes) by using the plugs (that act as 'switches') that are on the passenger side, under the flip down panel which has the windshield washer fluid tank.
If you need a copy of the 2005 Fuso Maintenance Manual, PM me and I'll send you a link to my downloadable PDF version.

 

[Czechsix]

And would it be wrong to assume it would not be a bad throttle position sensor seeing I can rev the motor when just idling?

Other things I have read about could be a loose turbo hose.

Need to check the air filter as well, which I have a new one already.

Yep. Part of it will be going over all hoses and belts. Mog is right too, even though he is a buckaroo, which is always suspect

 

[SkiFreak]

It's a bit of a pain, but you do not need a scan tool to obtain the error codes from your vehicle.
You use what they call blink codes, which flash out the error codes on the dash.
The workshop manual describes exactly how this is done and also lists all of the error codes and what they mean.

Don't make assumptions... get the error code/s, then you will know exactly why it has gone into limp mode.
As a tip, bad earth connections on these trucks is common and this is always a good place to start when trying to eliminate electrical related problems.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I will definitely look into checking all earths/grounds. And it looks like MOG can help me out with a FSM, so looking into the blink code thing. I had an old Volvo 240 or was it a Saab 900 that you checked the codes the same way.

I found this video very helpful. Now I just need to find a list of the codes and what they mean.

 

[mog]

I will definitely look into checking all earths/grounds. And it looks like MOG can help me out with a FSM, so looking into the blink code thing. I had an old Volvo 240 or was it a Saab 900 that you checked the codes the same way. I found this video very helpful. Now I just need to find a list of the codes and what they mean.

That video is a good reference. With your prior experience with 'blinking light codes' you are way ahead of the power curve as that is confusing to many.
I've PMed you a link to my Dropbox account for the manual. If you want/need the Fuso Body Builder manuals (2 volumes) I have those also.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I haven't gotten in behind the panel yet, but tonight I replaced the air filter and fired the truck up. No CEL. Let it warm up and took it around the block and no reduced power. Not as far of a drive as yesterday when it acted up because I don't want to venture too far until I have driven it a little bit more around my neighborhood. I need to build up some confidence that I will not be stranded. This weekend I will replace the fuel filter.

 

[SkiFreak]

I need to build up some confidence that I will not be stranded.

Limp mode does not necessarily strand you, but it does give you more time to enjoy the scenery on your way home...

 

[MSGGrunt]

So maybe it was something other than limp mode. I was only able to drive no faster than maybe 2 or 3 mph with little to no feedback from any throttle that I tried to give the truck.

 

[SkiFreak]

If your truck did go into limp mode the indicator on the dash should have been illuminated.
Realistically, guessing is not really a good diagnosis technique. The first thing you should be doing is checking to see if there are any blink/error codes.
If there are, identify which sensor/s is/are complaining and start your fault finding from there. If not, a different approach will be required.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I pulled the lower dash trim and didn't see two connectors like in the video. Are different years different? On a good note, I took it for more of a drive today and no CEL and had full power. This after changing the fuel filter along with the air filter. Though I did find this.