J1939 DATALINK MULTIPLEXING

CUMMINS

FAULT CODE: 285

PID: S231
SPN: 639
FMI: 9

J1939 Datalink Multiplexing Circuit

DESCRIPTION
Inputs, such as throttle pedals, switches, and sensors, can be
communicated to the ECM over the J1939 datalink. Messages sent
from the vehicle electronic control units (VECUs) are received by
the ECM and used for controlling the engine. Both the ECM and
VECU must be properly configured so that each device’s
information is transmitted by the VECU and received by the ECM.
This fault occurs when the ECM is set up to receive information
about a multiplexed device from a VECU over the J1939 datalink
and does not receive a message with that information.
This fault can also be caused if the ECM does not receive the
information fast enough to control the engine properly. This
condition can be caused by the J1939 datalink having an electrical
problem, a lack of terminating plugs on the J1939 datalink backbone,
the ECM not being set up to receive information, a multiplexed
device that truly is not multiplexed, or a VECU not being correctly
set up to transmit information on one of its multiplexed devices.
COMPONENT LOCATION
The ECM is located on the intake side of the engine, about mid-
engine. The J1939 datalink wiring and VECU(s) vary by OEM
options.

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TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Step 1A) Connect with the OEM service tool to the VECU. Turn key switch ON. Check which vehicle inputs
are multiplexed over the J1939 datalink in the VECU. Read the devices that are sending input information
with the OEM service tool.

Devices in Step 1A matches devices in Step 1B?

Yes - Go to 1B No - Go to 1B

Step 1B) Connect the datalink adapter, connect diagnostic tool and turn key switch ON. ECM settings match
devices installed on vehicle. Read the ECM setting for devices using the diagnostic tool.

Diagnostic tool readout matches ECM setting for devices (devices in Step 1B match Step 1A)?

Yes - Go to 2A No - Configure ECM to match vehicle devices

Go to 7A

Step 2A) Disconnect the engine harness from the ECM and disconnect the multiplexed devices. Inspect the
ECM, engine harness, J1939 connectors, and multiplexed devices for:
• Bent or broken pins
• Pushed back or expanded pins
• Corroded pins
• Dirt or debris, in or on the connector
• Moisture, in or on the connector
• Missing or damaged seals

No damaged pins?

Yes - Go to 2B No - Repair or replace the ECM, engine harness,

J1939, 3-pin connector, or multiplexed devices,
whichever has the damaged pins
Go to 7A

Step 2B) Disconnect the VECU(s) from the J1939 backbone harness. Disconnect the multiplexed devices
from the VECU(s). Inspect the VECU(s), 3-pin, and multiplexed devices connectors for:
• Bent or broken pins
• Pushed back or expanded pins
• Corroded pins
• Dirt or debris, in or on the connector
• Moisture, in or on the connector
• Missing or damaged seals

No damaged pins?

Yes - Go to 3A No - Repair or replace the VECU(s), 3-pin connector,

or multiplexed devices, whichever has the damaged
pins
Go to 7A

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Step 3A) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness connector from the ECM. Disconnect the
J1939 backbone connector from the engine harness. Check for an open circuit.
-Measure resistance from supply pin 2 at the engine harness connector to pin A at the datalink connector at
the J1939 backbone.
-Measure the resistance from pin 12 at the engine harness connector to pin B at the J1939 backbone.
-Measure the resistance from pin 44 at the engine harness connector to pin C at the J1939 backbone.

Less than 10 ohms?

Yes - Go to 3B No - Replace the engine harness

Go to 7A

Step 3B) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the J1939 harness from the VECU(s). Disconnect the engine
harness connector from the J1939 backbone harness. Check the resistance value of the J1939 harness.
Measure from pin A to pin B at the J1939 harness connector, OEM side.

55 to 65 ohms?

Yes - Go to 3C No - J1939 backbone termination resistors are

missing or damaged. Replace the termination
resistors
Go to 7A

Step 3C) Disconnect the J1939 backbone harness from the engine harness. Disconnect the engine harness
connector from the ECM. Turn key switch ON. Check for a short circuit to power. Measure the voltage from
pin 2 in the engine harness connector to engine block ground. Measure the voltage from pin 12 at the engine
harness connector to engine block ground.

Less than (+)1.5 VDC?

Yes - Go to 3D No - Repair or replace the engine harness

Go to 7A

Step 3D) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness connector from the ECM. Disconnect the
J1939 backbone harness from the engine harness. Check for a short circuit to ground. Measure the
resistance from pin 2 in the engine harness connector to ground. Measure the resistance from pin 12 in the
engine harness connector to ground.

More than 100k ohms?

Yes - Go to 3E No - Repair or replace the engine harness

Go to 7A

Step 3E) Turn key switch OFF. Disconnect the engine harness connector from the ECM. Disconnect the
J1939 backbone harness from the engine harness. Check for a short circuit from pin to pin. Measure the
resistance from pin 2 in the engine harness connector to all other pins in the connector, from pin 44 in the
engine harness connector to all other pins in connector, and from pin 12 in the engine harness connector to
all other pins in the connector.

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 More than 100k ohms?

Yes - Go to 4A No - Repair or replace the engine harness

Go to 7A

Step 4A) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness connector from the J1939 backbone.
Disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the J1939 backbone. Check for an open circuit. Measure resistance
from pin A at the engine harness connector to pin A at the VECU(s) connector, from pin B at the engine
harness connector to pin B at the VECU(s) connector and from pin C at the engine harness connector to pin
C at the VECU(s) connector.
Less than 10 ohms?

Yes - Go to 4B No - Replace the J1939 backbone

Go to 7A

Step 4B) Disconnect the engine harness connector from the J1939 backbone. Disconnect the VECU(s)
connector from the J1939 backbone. Turn key switch ON. Check for a short circuit to power. Measure the
voltage from pin A of the J1939 backbone connector, engine harness side, to the engine block ground.
Measure the voltage from pin B of the J1939 backbone connector, engine harness side, to the engine block
ground.
Less than (+)1.5 VDC?

Yes - Go to 4C No - Replace the J1939 backbone

Go to 7A

Step 4C) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness connector from the J1939 backbone.
Disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the J1939 backbone. Check for a short circuit to ground. Measure
the resistance from pin A of the J1939 backbone connector, engine harness side, to the engine block
ground. Measure the resistance from pin B of the J1939 backbone connector, engine harness side, to the
engine block ground.
More than 100k ohms?

Yes - Go to 5A No - Replace the J1939 backbone

Go to 7A

Step 5A) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the J1939 backbone.
Disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the VECU(s). Check for an open circuit. Measure resistance from
pin A of the J1939 backbone connector to the corresponding pin in the VECU connector, from pin B of the
J1939 backbone connector to the corresponding pin in the VECU connector, and from pin C of the J1939
backbone connector to the corresponding pin in the VECU connector.

Less than 10 ohms?

Yes - Go to 5B No - Repair or replace OEM wiring

Go to 7A

Step 5B) Turn key switch ON and disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the J1939 backbone. Disconnect
the VECU(s) connector from the VECU(s). Check for a short circuit to power. Measure voltage from pin A of
the J1939 backbone connector, OEM side, to engine block ground. Measure voltage from pin B of the J1939
backbone connector, OEM side, to engine block ground.

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 Less than (+)1.5 VDC?

Yes - Go to 5C No - Repair or replace OEM wiring

Go to 7A

Step 5C) Turn key switch OF and disconnect the VECU(s) connector from the J1939 backbone. Disconnect
the VECU(s) connector from the VECU(s). Check for a short circuit to ground. Measure resistance from pin
A of the J1939 backbone connector, OEM side, to engine block ground. Measure resistance from pin B of
the J1939 backbone connector, OEM side, to engine block ground.

More than 100k ohms?

Yes - Go to 6A No - Repair or replace OEM wiring

Go to 7A

Step 6A) Install the OEM service tool software and turn key switch ON. Check communication with the
VECU(s). Using the OEM service tool software and/or diagnostic tool, confirm communication between
VECU(s) and multiplexing devices.

Proper communication between multiplexing devices and VECU(s)?

Yes - Go to 7A No - Refer to OEM for additional repair procedures

Go to 7A

Step 7A) Connect all components and turn key switch ON. Disable the fault code. Start the engine, and let
idle for 1 minute using the diagnostic tool, verify that Fault Code 285 is inactive.

Fault Code 285 inactive?

Yes - Go to 7B No - Return to the troubleshooting steps or contact

local Cummins Authorized Repair Location if all
steps have been completed and checked again
Go to 1A

Step 7B) Connect all components and turn key switch ON. Clear the inactive fault codes using the
diagnostic tool.
All fault codes cleared?

Yes - Repair is complete No - Troubleshoot any remaining active fault codes

with appropriate troubleshooting steps.

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