Temp gauge question.

[Jabonee]

Mahindra uses standard auto "P" codes.:thumbsup:

 

[dickfoster]

Mahindra uses standard auto "P" codes.:thumbsup:

Well that's good news. Since it's called OBDII I think it has to be both hardware and software compliant the only deviations are some special codes for extraneous stuff which you can typically look up on the Internet, but the basics are all the same. I just want to see what the ECU sees. If it's seeing low temps then it simply can't manage the engine effectively. It's that age old Crap in = crap out game.

I actually keep a Scan Gauge II plugged into my truck all the time. It's pitching codes now because the CAT is going out but just try to buy one in the People's Republic of California. Friggin smog nazis do more to create smog now than cure it with all their idiotic over regulation crap. Guess I'll have to find someone in Reno to get me one then I just go pick it up and install it like I have before. It always passes the test, even the dreaded and super silly dyno test that can only be designed to fail everything because no one can actually drive nor would they drive that silly profile. Since the actual smog problem was licked years ago, I think their efforts are now dedicated solely to keeping themselves in a job and nothing more. Sorry I was just trying to buy a CAT and was ticked off.

 

[dickfoster]

Just spoke to my DSR. The temp gauge issue is a software problem. It is fairly easily corrected. It will require a service call if you have internet access. If not it has to go to the dealership for reprogramming.Call your dealer if you have this issue and make sure they get your DSR involved. Your dealer may not know about the ECU software correction.

Thanks so much. I'll be calling my dealer with that info. Since I'm on it now, I have internet access of course.

 

[dickfoster]

Jabonee, have you checked a 1538 using an independent temperature sensor (like a thermocouple), to see if it is actually getting up to temperature when showing cold on the gauge? On my machine, it would reach 130 degrees on my independent meter - but not go higher. That's hot enough to register a change in resistance like the OP has, but not as hot as it's supposed to be. Mahindra told me that my issue was software as well.......maybe it is on some machines, and it's hardware on others, but at this point I'm slightly skeptical.

OP, do you have access to a thermocouple that you can use to measure the actual coolant temperature in the upper radiator hose, completely independent of the tractor setup? Even a thermometer in the top of the radiator will get you close. If that's up around 160 degrees, then I would buy that it's software.

Yes I do but first thing I'm going to do is plug a scan tool into the diagnostics ports and see what temps the engine is seeing.

 

[dickfoster]

Is this the actual description for the code? My reader is for cars and I can't find codes for Mahindra. I'm telling the reader it's a Ford.

Also should have said the air temperature is over 75degF before I see any bars.

If it's OBDII compliant then the basic codes are all the same thing no matter what it is or what brand. Only some odd stuff is covered outside of the standard codes but if you can find it on the internet then it's likely standard OBDII code. The only reason your scan gauge is asking you about make and model is to translate some of the non standard odd codes into english to give you a starting place. It's important to note that other than reading the data from sensors the ECU is seeing like temp, MAF generated engine load, timing, RPM, voltage, etc. other OBDII fault codes only give you a place to start looking for what is actually amiss. Say it's kicking out a code for a bad CAT, P0420, that could be either of the O2 sensors before or after the cat, sensor wiring or a worn out caput CAT. Any of those things could cause a common code in this case P0420. In this case all you'd have to do is search P0420 on the Internet and you get all the info you can possibly handle. Some scanners just give just you the codes while some usually more expensive modes will decode the fault codes and give it to you in English. Some scanners can even collect and plot graphical data. Now the insurance companies are wanting you to plug something into your diagnostic port and sky on yourself. No thank you very much. LOL

 

[dickfoster]

Well I hooked up the scanner and the ECU is getting good temp info. It is indeed an ECU issue and the dealer is going to pick the tractor up next week and haul it down to Yuba City just to reflash the ECU. I know it's silly but apparently it's the Mahindra way no matter how wasteful or how stupid it is. They are going to attempt the reflash over the Internet which is also ill advised and compounds the folly.
I'm beginning to wonder if I bought the right tractor afterall. It seems Mahindra has drawn their pistol and taken a bead on their big toe.

 

[dickfoster]

Update. I got the tractor back today. The temp gauge now displays as it should. They hauled it all the way down to the dealership just to reflash the ECU and it works as it should now. They also checked and tightened all the backhoe bolts which had left the distributor loose, unchecked and unmarked. Everything is now as it should be.

For those with 1538s if you have a temp gauge that appears not to be working the problem is likely just bad ECU code. This could have been done in the field but someone made the decision to do it at the dealership for some strange reason. All told at the outside it's about a 15 minute process.

 

[brasco426]

Good to hear, glad to hear it's back and working as it should. All told I can only imagine it's a pain to deal with this stuff, especially when new. Thanks for updating the thread and good to hear the dealer made it right.

 

[dickfoster]

Good to hear, glad to hear it's back and working as it should. All told I can only imagine it's a pain to deal with this stuff, especially when new. Thanks for updating the thread and good to hear the dealer made it right.

I guess that's the value of shopping for and choosing the right dealer. Mine is Beeler Tractor in Yuba City, CA. So far so good and the man has done everything he said he would. You can't ask for any more than that especially in this day and age. I'd be willing to bet that Dave of Dave's Tractor, who is on this board a lot, is just as good but he is in Red Bluff a lot further away from my place.

 

[metalcaster]

Don't know if it's relevant but OBDII P1801 = Transmission Clutch Interlock Safety Switch Open Circuit

I saw a reference to OBDII in the service documentation somewhere but don't see an OBDII diagnostic plug anywhere yet. If there is one, maybe it's buried behind the instrument cowling.

Max temp at only 75DegF doesn't sound quite right either.

Does the service manual have the OBDI codes in it? My local service manager just uses the Mahindra code reader and can't / won't give a correlation.