Terminology » Other Wireless » SAE J1587 Fault Codes: Heavy-Duty Vehicle Diagnostics

SAE J1587 Fault Codes: Heavy-Duty Vehicle Diagnostics

fault code heavy duty vehicle sae j1587 vehicle diagnostic fleet management

SAE J1587 fault codes are used in heavy-duty vehicles, primarily commercial trucks and buses. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) developed the SAE J1587 standard for serial communication between Electronic Control Modules (ECMs) in these vehicles. It defines the communication protocol and data format for various vehicle systems, including the transmission of fault codes. These codes are crucial for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems within a vehicle’s electronic systems.

When an ECM detects a fault or issue, it generates a fault code that indicates the nature of the problem. Technicians and fleet operators use diagnostic or scan tools to read and interpret these codes to identify problems within the vehicle.

Common Applications of SAE J1587 Fault Codes

  • Diagnostics: Technicians utilize J1587 fault codes to pinpoint and resolve issues within the vehicle’s engine, transmission, braking, and other systems. These codes offer valuable insights into the fault’s nature and location.
  • Fleet Management: Fleet operators and managers rely on J1587 fault codes to monitor the health and performance of their vehicle fleet. By analyzing these codes, they can proactively schedule maintenance and repairs, minimizing downtime and ensuring vehicle safety.
  • Compliance: Regulatory requirements and emissions standards may leverage fault code data to assess the environmental impact and safety of commercial vehicles. J1587 fault codes assist in ensuring compliance with these regulations.

SAE J1587 Fault Code Table

MIDSID/PIDFMIFault Description
136001–00601Incorrect air gap.
136001–00602Incorrect tire size.
136001–00603Sensor shorted to power.
136001–00604Short to Ground.
136001–00605Open Circuit.
136001–00606Short Circuit.
136001–00607Damaged Tone Ring.
136001–00608Excessive Wheel Slip.
136001–00609Wire Mismatch.
136001–00610Speed Signal Drop Out.
136001–00611Abnormal Speed.
136001–00612Frequency Too High.
136007–01003Short to Power.
136007–01005Open Circuit.
136007–01006Short to Ground.
1361303Retarder Relay Circuit – short to power.
1361305Retarder Relay Circuit – open circuit.
1361306Retarder Relay Circuit – short to ground.
1361404Low voltage or open circuit.
1361405Ground circuit open or high resistance; verify that the batteries are not disconnected or shut off, otherwise results may be misleading.
1361406Internal relay does not open.
1361503ATC Valve ground circuit shorted to power.
1361505ATC Valve High Impedance.
1361506ATC Valve ground circuit shorted to ground.
1361803Short to Power.
1361805Open Circuit.
1361806Short to Ground.
13623102J1939 speed plausibility error; This fault indicates a discrepancy between vehicle speed reported on J1939 and ABS sensed vehicle speed.
13623105J1939 – open/short.
13623106J1939 – open/short. Code 136s231 05 may be active as well.
13623107J1939 time out. Fault occurs if engine retarder sends message incorrectly.
13623108J1939 time out. Fault occurs if engine retarder sends message incorrectly.
13623109J1939 time out. Fault occurs if engine or transmission sends message incorrectly.
13623110J1939 time out. Fault occurs if exhaust retarder sends a message incorrectly.
13623112J1939 internal error.
13625103Overvoltage –Voltage to ECU was too high for more than 5 seconds.
13625103Overvoltage –Voltage to ECU was too high for more than 5 seconds.
13625405ABS/ATC ECU, no loads.
13625408Excessive Wheel Slip.
13625409Modulator valve actuated too long.
13625407ABS Missing.
13625402EEPROM, Wheel parameter incorrect.
13625412EEPROM, Checksum/internal error.
13625413Accelerator out of range.
13625414ECU mounting/accelerometer plausibility.
140p16801ICU3 voltage is too low (less than 10.5 volts).
140s24012ICU3 program memory failure; odometer read/write to EEPROM fails. When this failure occurs, the ICU is unable to display the fault on the LCD, but the fault displays in ServiceLink. When this fault is active, the LCD display shows a series of seven hyphens ”- - - - - - -“.
140s25412ICU3 Controller Failure; ICU self-test “detectschecksum errors”.
140p07705Forward rear-axle temperature sensor – open.
140p07706Forward rear-axle temperature sensor – shorted.
140p07805Rear rear-axle temperature sensor – open.
140p07806Rear rear-axle temperature sensor – shorted.
140p9605Fuel level sensor – open.
140p9606Fuel level sensor – shorted.
140p16801Lightbar voltage too low (less than 10.5 volts).
140p17705Transmission oil temperature sensor – open.
140p17706Transmission oil temperature sensor – shorted.
140s24012LBCU program memory failure.
140s25412LBCU controller failure.
232s00103Airbag igniter circuit – shorted to power.
232s00104Airbag igniter circuit – shorted to ground.
232s00105Airbag igniter circuit – open circuit.
232s00106Airbag igniter circuit – shorted.
232s24014Frontal collision detected.
232s25407Frontal Crash Sensor (Safety Restraint System 1); not detected by the ICU on Roll Call.
254s00105Driver seat igniter loop – open.
254s00106Driver seat igniter loop – shorted.
254s00205Driver side airbag igniter loop – open.
254s00206Driver side airbag igniter loop – shorted.
254s00305Passenger seat igniter loop – open.
254s00306Passenger seat igniter loop – shorted.
254s00405Passenger side airbag igniter loop – open.
254s00406Passenger side airbag igniter loop – shorted.
254s24014Rollover or frontal crash detected.
254s25407Roll Sensor Module (Safety Restraint System 2) – Not Detected by ICU on Roll Call.
254s25412Rollover module – bad device or component.

Source: Cascadia Troubleshooting Manual, September 2009

Reference subjects:

  • H01.01 – ABS and Roll Stability Control System
  • C07.08 — SRS System
  • C01.01 — ICU3
  • C01.02 — ICU4/ICU4M
  • C07.08 — SRS System

Terms and Abbreviations

  • MID: Message Identifier. Indicates numeric assignment for a device that communicates on J1587.
  • SID/PID: Subsystem Identifier / Parameter Identifier
  • FMI: Failure Mode Identifiers

Important Considerations

While SAE J1587 has been widely used, it’s important to note that newer communication standards like SAE J1939 have largely superseded it. SAE J1939 offers enhanced capabilities and is better suited for modern vehicles. However, J1587 remains in use in many older commercial vehicles, meaning technicians and operators working with these vehicles will still encounter and need to understand J1587 fault codes for diagnostics and maintenance.