In the process of the regeneration of my 1997 American Dream it was found that this doodad on top of the engine was disconnected.I suspect that when my meniscus ConWay was working on the engine it was disconnected / stepped on, while the work was being done on the exhaust manifold.It looks to be a pressure sensor more than a shut of solenoid but could be either.There was one wire laying there broken so a new end was put on it and connected to the doohickey.It could be grounded through the unit but the second terminal certainly looks as if it had been protected from the elements making me believe that there was another wire connected to this gizmo.Does anyone know what this is, what wires would be connected to it (pictures would be outstanding).Other interesting stuff on this coach can be found herehttp://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27344098.cfm

I got out to the shop today and the MH should be completed tomorrow. I did not get a chance to call anyone, but did find the data plate. It is directly under a line for the A/C compressor and has to be read upside down. I took some shots with a camera and they came out better than I thought. They were upside down but I rotated them with picture editing.The plate says it is a 6CTA, Ref # 53-34874-004 engine # 45358278, model C8.3-325, read that as 325 HP.Looks like I have more engine then I thought! I thought it was a 300 HP. It seems this engine was used in marine applications and fire trucksI googled the engine and it comes up with many references to Marine Diesel References, any ideas??????http://www.sbmar.com/cummins-6cta-tech-info.php

I called Cummins Customer Service today.Phone number 1-800-377-3000They were unable to identify the doohickey on top of the engine (I did not use that terminological with them I am reserving that technical description for this forum as a joke).I was given an e-mail address to send the photos along with text to request that information.The e-mail address was powermaster@cummins.comIt is a general e-mail box and I was told it would be forwarded to the correct department, so it may be some time before I hear back.Here is the text of the e-mail I sent.Sirs,I have a 1997 Fleetwood American Dream which has a Cummins engine in itRef # 53-34874-004Engine # 45358278Model C8.3-325Cummins 6CTAIt was in a repair shop where the repairs were less that adequate.In the second repair shop that repaired the damage done by the first shop a senor or solenoid was found to have at least one broken wire one it (the connector was still on the sensor, but the wire was laying beside it). This is an RV shop not an engine shop and they have been unable to determine what the sensor or solenoid is and whether it should have a second wire attached to it.This is a diesel pusher so if this was in a normal location the sensor would be located on the top of the engine on the left rear as the driver sits in the vehicle.I have attached three photos starting with a full shot and then with each additional shot gotten closer to the item in question.My questions are, what is it, should there be two wires attached to it, the contacts were clean which would indicate to me that they were protected from the weather.Your help would be greatly appreciated.I have received this back from themThank you for contacting Cummins.You will receive a personal response from one of our customer service specialists within two business days. If you have a more immediate need for assistance, please call Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). If you are located outside of North America, you can reach us at 812-377-3000.Please do not reply to this email as it was automatically generated in response to your communication.I tried Syracuse, NY | Cummins Northeast, LLC and was asked to send them an e-mail with engine info and pictures. I did that and the e-mail was returned withReason: 550 5.1.1 unknown or illegal user: matthew.barklty@cummins.comIt is after hours now so I will call tomorrow and check the e-mail address.

So.....I have an answer from cummins and an answer from Syracuse, NY | Cummins Northeast, LLCThey contradict each other.Cummings says"Good Afternoon Glenn,The part that you are referring to in the pictures, looks to be a temperature sensor for coolant. I had go ask someone more more technical skills than I do. He also stated that the wiring question is kinda hard to figure out. I was advised that the sensor probably only has 1 wire, but there could be other leads that are connected to it, but that is usually done by the mechanic, not by the company. By having the leads on the sensor, it may have helped someone with the set up of the wiring so that they wouldn't have to splice somewhere else.I hope this helpsThank you for contacting Cummins.MarkCustomer Care RepresentativeIf we have misunderstood the information in your communication or you have additional questions please feel free to respond to our support staff by e-mailing powermaster@cummins.com or call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). If you are located outside of North America, you can reach us at 812-377-3000.For authorized service center locations please visit:Cummins.comCummins.comEverytime.cummins.com"Syracuse, NY | Cummins Northeast, LLC saysIt is a solenoid in the air intake heater system. Judging from your photo's, it should have 2 wires connected.Matt BarkleyService WriterCummins Northeast LLC6193 Eastern Ave.Syracuse, NY 13211Phone: (315)437-2751 ext 5103Direct line: (315)410-7523Fax: (315)437-8141One says one wire the other says two, one says temp sensor the other says solenoid.Syracuse also sent along a diagram (attached) which describes the part as a solenoid valve, but no wiring diagram is included.

I don't think it's a grid heater solenoid that controls current flow because it has air or fluid lines connected to it. Also there would be two of them (matching).A wild guess would be either something to support the cooling fan or cruise.

Thingamabob disconnected on top of Cummins engine

GlennLever
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
Latest response from Cummins

Glenn,
I believe my co worker said he would be ground wire and then they can add leads to the solenoid. If you want, I can see about my co worker explaining that to you if you need better understanding. He is more technical than I am, so I may not be relaying that information as well as he could.
Mark
Customer Care Representative
If we have misunderstood the information in your communication or you have additional questions please feel free to respond to our support staff by e-mailing powermaster@cummins.com or call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). If you are located outside of North America, you can reach us at 812-377-3000.
For authorized service center locations please visit:
http://www.cummins.com/cmi/index.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&newsInfo=true
Cummins.com
Everytime.cummins.com

Almost sounds like I am talking to India??????
GlennLever
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
Sorry, posted twice.
GlennLever
Explorer
Feb 22, 2014
I received a call from from Cummins today.

It is a solenoid/valve. The wire is a 12volt supply that should only be hot when the wait to crank light is on on the dash. It is part of the intake heat system. There is not ground wire, it is grounded through the valve body.

The one tab that appears to be clean and should have had a wire connected to it should be folded over, and be flat against the valve body. When this has been done I suspect we will find that the other side, the side current not showing, will show the signs of passing time.

So... all questions have been answered at this point. Thanks for all your help.

I did receive a finial e-mail.

Hi Glenn,

I heard you spoke with Mike. Was he able to answer all your questions about the part?

Mark
Customer Care Representative

If we have misunderstood the information in your communication or you have additional questions please feel free to respond to our support staff by e-mailing powermaster@cummins.com or call Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). If you are located outside of North America, you can reach us at 812-377-3000.

For authorized service center locations please visit:
http://www.cummins.com/cmi/index.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&newsInfo=true

Cummins.com
Everytime.cummins.com
jtfcons
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
Solenoid Picture.

This is the solenoid in my C8.3 325HP engine. No connection used for second terminal, in fact there is paint, partially peeling, on the terminal which leads me to think that yours also had paint on it and has only recently lost the same. As you can see where the paint is flaked the terminal is more shiny.
GlennLever
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
jtfcons wrote:
Solenoid Picture.

This is the solenoid in my C8.3 325HP engine. No connection used for second terminal, in fact there is paint, partially peeling, on the terminal which leads me to think that yours also had paint on it and has only recently lost the same. As you can see where the paint is flaked the terminal is more shiny.

Thanks for your reply, that certainly would explain the shinny terminal. We suspected that it had been step on by a Conway pretend mechanic.
jtfcons
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
You mean right there where it says "WARNING---DO NOT STEP"
GlennLever
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
jtfcons wrote:
You mean right there where it says "WARNING---DO NOT STEP"

Yep, but my decal is missing so that must be the reason they thought it was OK.

To be clear this was Conway Volvo truck & Bus that did the damage, and not Caledonia RV. Caledonia RV has been outstanding where Conway Volvo truck & Bus was a night mare and I got the state to step in and make them refund a bunch of money (that is how bad it was.

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Thingamabob disconnected on top of Cummins engine

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