You’re likely familiar with the concept of onboard diagnostics, but did you know that Peterbilt’s system can detect issues before they become major problems, often before you even notice them? When a fault is detected, the system triggers a unique code that provides a precise identifier of the issue.
But what do these codes mean, and how do you access them? With the right diagnostic tool, you can decipher the code and get to the root of the problem. But without a clear understanding of these codes, you could be stuck in the dark, leaving your vehicle – and your business – at risk.
Understanding DTC Codes
When your Peterbilt’s onboard diagnostic (OBD) system detects an issue, it triggers a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) to help you identify the problem.
This code is a precise identifier of the fault, providing valuable information to diagnose and repair your vehicle.
To access these codes, you’ll need a diagnostic tool, such as a code reader or scan tool, plugged into your vehicle’s OBD port.
Heavy-duty trucks like Peterbilt use various ports, including J-1708, J-1939, and OBD-II, to connect to the vehicle’s CAN bus.
Understanding DTC codes is vital, as they can’t be simply reset or cleared; you must find and correct the root cause.
Finding and Interpreting Fault Codes
You’ll need a device that plugs into your Peterbilt truck’s OBD port to find fault codes, and it’s essential to know which type of port your truck has. There are three types of OBD ports: OBD-II, J-1708, and J-1939. The type of port determines the diagnostic tool you’ll need.
| Port Type | Description |
|---|---|
| OBD-II | Rectangular 16-pin port, mostly on medium-duty trucks |
| J-1708 | Round 6-pin port, on older class 7,8 trucks manufactured before 2006 |
| J-1939 | Round 9-pin port, standard on heavy-duty trucks |
Fault codes are alpha-numeric strings that represent the control system, type of code, and subsystem with the fault. Understanding these codes can help minimize vehicle maintenance violations and keep your company compliant. For example, P0303 indicates a cylinder 3 misfire fault.
Diagnosing and Repairing Issues
Your Peterbilt truck’s onboard computer has flagged a problem, and now it’s time to get to the root of the issue.
With the diagnostic codes in hand, you can start diagnosing and repairing the problem. Use a diagnostic tool to read the fault code and identify the specific issue.
Check the fuel and air systems, as these are common areas where problems arise. Look for any character patterns in the code that may indicate a specific problem.
Consult your Peterbilt vehicle manufacturer’s documentation to understand the parameter number associated with the code. By following these steps, you’ll be able to pinpoint the problem and make the necessary repairs to get your truck back on the road.
Most Common Peterbilt OBD-II Trouble Codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0016 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) |
| P0017 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B) |
| P0018 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A) |
| P0019 | Crankshaft Position – Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B) |
| P0100 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Malfunction |
| P0101 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| P0102 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Low Input |
| P0103 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit High Input |
| P0104 | Mass or Volume Air Flow Circuit Intermittent |
| P0105 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Malfunction |
| P0106 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| P0107 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Low Input |
| P0108 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit High Input |
| P0109 | Manifold Absolute Pressure/Barometric Pressure Circuit Intermittent |
| P0110 | Intake Air Temperature Circuit Malfunction |
| P0111 | Intake Air Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| P0112 | Intake Air Temperature Circuit Low Input |
| P0113 | Intake Air Temperature Circuit High Input |
| P0114 | Intake Air Temperature Circuit Intermittent |
| P0115 | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Malfunction |
| P0116 | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| P0117 | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Low Input |
| P0118 | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit High Input |
| P0119 | Engine Coolant Temperature Circuit Intermittent |
| P0120 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Malfunction |
| P0121 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Range/Performance Problem |
| P0122 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Low Input |
| P0123 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit High Input |
| P0124 | Throttle/Pedal Position Sensor/Switch A Circuit Intermittent |
| P0125 | Insufficient Coolant Temperature for Closed Loop Fuel Control |
| P0126 | Insufficient Coolant Temperature for Stable Operation |
| P0128 | Coolant Thermostat (Coolant Temperature Below Thermostat Regulating Temperature) |
| P0130 | O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0131 | O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0132 | O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0133 | O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0134 | O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0135 | O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 1) |
| P0136 | O2 Sensor Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0137 | O2 Sensor Circuit Low Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0138 | O2 Sensor Circuit High Voltage (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0139 | O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0140 | O2 Sensor Circuit No Activity Detected (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0141 | O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 Sensor 2) |
| P0171 | System Too Lean (Bank 1) |
| P0172 | System Too Rich (Bank 1) |
| P0174 | System Too Lean (Bank 2) |
| P0175 | System Too Rich (Bank 2) |
| P0201 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 1 |
| P0202 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 2 |
| P0203 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 3 |
| P0204 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 4 |
| P0205 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 5 |
| P0206 | Injector Circuit Malfunction – Cylinder 6 |
| P0300 | Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected |
| P0301 | Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected |
| P0302 | Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected |
| P0303 | Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected |
| P0304 | Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected |
| P0305 | Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected |
| P0306 | Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected |
| P0325 | Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0326 | Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0327 | Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Low Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0328 | Knock Sensor 1 Circuit High Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0335 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction |
| P0336 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0337 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low Input |
| P0338 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High Input |
| P0339 | Crankshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent |
| P0340 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0341 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0342 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Low Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0343 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit High Input (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0344 | Camshaft Position Sensor A Circuit Intermittent (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) |
| P0400 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Malfunction |
| P0401 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Insufficient Detected |
| P0402 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Flow Excessive Detected |
| P0403 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Malfunction |
| P0404 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0405 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit Low |
| P0406 | Exhaust Gas Recirculation Sensor A Circuit High |
| P0420 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) |
| P0430 | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2) |
| P0440 | Evaporative Emission Control System Malfunction |
| P0441 | Evaporative Emission Control System Incorrect Purge Flow |
| P0442 | Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Small Leak) |
| P0443 | Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit |
| P0444 | Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit Open |
| P0445 | Evaporative Emission Control System Purge Control Valve Circuit Shorted |
| P0446 | Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit |
| P0447 | Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Open |
| P0448 | Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Control Circuit Shorted |
| P0449 | Evaporative Emission Control System Vent Valve/Solenoid Circuit Malfunction |
| P0450 | Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Malfunction |
| P0451 | Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Range/Performance |
| P0452 | Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor Low Input |
| P0453 | Evaporative Emission Control System Pressure Sensor High Input |
| P0455 | Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Gross Leak) |
| P0456 | Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (Very Small Leak) |
| P0460 | Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| P0461 | Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0462 | Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0463 | Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0464 | Fuel Level Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0500 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction |
| P0501 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance |
| P0502 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input |
| P0503 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent/Erratic/High |
| P0505 | Idle Control System Malfunction |
| P0506 | Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected |
| P0507 | Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected |
| P0600 | Serial Communication Link Malfunction |
| P0601 | Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error |
| P0602 | Control Module Programming Error |
| P0603 | Internal Control Module Keep Alive Memory (KAM) Error |
| P0604 | Internal Control Module Random Access Memory (RAM) Error |
| P0605 | Internal Control Module Read Only Memory (ROM) Error |
| P0606 | ECM/PCM Processor Fault |
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
| P0701 | Transmission Control System Range/Performance |
| P0702 | Transmission Control System Electrical |
| P0703 | Brake Switch B Circuit Malfunction |
| P0704 | Clutch Switch Input Circuit Malfunction |
| P0705 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input) |
| P0706 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0707 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0708 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0709 | Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0710 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0714 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0715 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| P0716 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0717 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0718 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0719 | Brake Switch B Circuit Low |
| P0720 | P0720Output Speed Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| P0721 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0722 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0723 | Output Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0724 | Brake Switch B Circuit High |
| P0725 | Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction |
| P0726 | Engine Speed Input Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0727 | Engine Speed Input Circuit No Signal |
| P0728 | Engine Speed Input Circuit Intermittent |
| P0730 | Incorrect Gear Ratio |
| P0731 | Gear 1 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0732 | Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0733 | Gear 3 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0734 | Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0735 | Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio |
| P0736 | Reverse Incorrect Ratio |
| P0740 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0741 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0742 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Stuck On |
| P0743 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical |
| P0744 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent |
| P0745 | Pressure Control Solenoid Malfunction |
| P0746 | Pressure Control Solenoid Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0747 | Pressure Control Solenoid Stuck On |
| P0748 | Pressure Control Solenoid Electrical |
| P0749 | Pressure Control Solenoid Intermittent |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid A Malfunction |
| P0751 | Shift Solenoid A Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0752 | Shift Solenoid A Stuck On |
| P0753 | Shift Solenoid A Electrical |
| P0754 | Shift Solenoid A Intermittent |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid B Malfunction |
| P0756 | Shift Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0757 | Shift Solenoid B Stuck On |
| P0758 | Shift Solenoid B Electrical |
| P0759 | Shift Solenoid B Intermittent |
| P0760 | Shift Solenoid C Malfunction |
| P0761 | Shift Solenoid C Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0762 | Shift Solenoid C Stuck On |
| P0763 | Shift Solenoid C Electrical |
| P0764 | Shift Solenoid C Intermittent |
| P0765 | Shift Solenoid D Malfunction |
| P0766 | Shift Solenoid D Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0767 | Shift Solenoid D Stuck On |
| P0768 | Shift Solenoid D Electrical |
| P0769 | Shift Solenoid D Intermittent |
| P0770 | Shift Solenoid E Malfunction |
| P0771 | Shift Solenoid E Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0772 | Shift Solenoid E Stuck On |
| P0773 | Shift Solenoid E Electrical |
| P0774 | Shift Solenoid E Intermittent |
| P0775 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Malfunction |
| P0776 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0777 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Stuck On |
| P0778 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Electrical |
| P0779 | Pressure Control Solenoid B Intermittent |
| P0780 | Shift Malfunction |
