UNSWITCHED BATTERY SUPPLY CIRCUIT

CUMMINS

FAULT CODE: 434

PID: S251
SPN: 627
FMI: 2

Unswitched Battery Supply Circuit

DESCRIPTION
The ECM receives constant voltage from the batteries through the
unswitched battery wires that are connected directly to the positive
(+) battery post. There are three in-line 7.5-amp fuses and one 20-
amp fuse in the unswitched battery wires to protect the engine
harness from overheating. The ECM receives switched battery input
through the vehicle key switch wire, when the vehicle keyswitch is
turned on.
NOTE: If a battery disconnect switch is turned off after the key
switch is turned off, but before the ECM completely powers down
(up to 20 seconds) this fault may register.
Make sure that ECM unswitched power is coming from the
batteries and not the starter or other device. Check for low voltage
during cranking. Low voltage during cranking can cause the ECM
power supply to drop below specifications and log Fault Code 434.
Corrupted voltage (short interruptions or spikes that may only be
seen with an oscilloscope) on key switch line can cause this fault. If
the voltage at pin 5 of engine connector is measured as negative
with oscilloscope at key-off, Fault Code 434 can be logged.
COMPONENT LOCATION
The ECM is connected to the battery by the engine harness. This
direct link provides a constant power supply for the ECM. The
location of the battery will vary with the equipment manufacturer.
See the equipment manufacturer repair manual.

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TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS
Step 1A) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness from the 23-pin Deutsch connector.
Inspect the 23-pin connector on both the battery side and harness side for the following:
• Bent or broken pins
• Pushed back or expanded pins
• Corroded pins
• Moisture in or on the connector
• Missing or damaged seals

No damaged pins or loose connections?

Yes - Go to 1B No - Repair or replace the damaged pins

Go to 4A

Step 1B) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness from the 23-pin Deutsch connector.
Check the resistance of the battery supply circuit. Measure the resistance from pins B, C, D, M, and S of the
battery supply connector to the positive (+) battery terminal. Measure the resistance from pins E, F, H, P,
and W of the battery return connector to the negative (-) battery terminal.

Less than 10 ohms?

Yes - Go to 1C No - Repair or replace the harness

Go to 4A

Step 1C) Turn key switch ON and connect the engine harness to 23-pin Deutsch connector. Check the
battery voltage. Place positive (+) probe of multimeter on the positive battery terminal and touch negative (-)
probe to the negative battery terminal. Measure the voltage before and during cranking.

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 • Normal conditions:
- At least (+) 12 VDC ((+) 12-VDC system)
- At least (+) 24 VDC ((+) 24-VDC system)
• During cranking:
- At least (+) 6.2 VDC ((+) 12-VDC system)
- At least (+) 12 VDC ((+) 24-VDC system)

Yes - Go to 1D No - Charge or replace the battery

Go to 4A

Step 1D) Turn key switch ON and connect engine harness to 23-pin Deutsch connector. Check the battery
connections.

Connections are tight and corrosion free?

Yes - Go to 2A No - Tighten the loose connections, and clean the

terminals
Go to 4A

Step 2A) Turn key switch ON and connect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector. Check
whether the three 7.5-amp fuses are installed correctly. Inspect the three 7.5 amp fuses for correct
installation.

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 Fuses installed correctly?

Yes - Go to 2B No - Install the fuses correctly

Go to 4A

Step 2B) Turn key switch ON and connect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector.
Check if the two 10-amp fuses are installed correctly and inspect the 10-amp fuses for correct installation.

Fuses installed correctly?

Yes - Go to 2C No - Install the fuses correctly

Go to 4A

Step 2C) Turn key switch ON position and connect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector.
Check if the three 7.5-amp fuses and the two 10-amp fuses are blown.

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 Fuses installed correctly?

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

Go to 4A

Step 3A) Turn key switch OFF and connect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector. Disconnect
the engine harness from the ECM. Inspect the harness and the ECM connector pins for the following:
• Bent or broken pins
• Pushed back or expanded pins
• Corroded pins
• Moisture in or on the connector
• Missing or damaged seals

No damaged pins?

Yes - Go to 3B No - Repair or replace the engine harness or ECM,

whichever has the damaged pins
Go to 4A

Step 3B) Turn key switch OFF and connect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector. Disconnect
the engine harness from the ECM. Check for an open circuit in the battery power and return circuits.
Measure the voltage from pin 38 to pins 20, 28, and 29, as well as from pin 39 to pins 20, 28, and 29 and
from pin 40 to pins 20, 28, and 29.

(+) 10 to 15 VDC ((+) 12-VDC system)

(+) 22 to 27 VDC ((+) 24-VDC system)

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

Go to 4A

Step 3C) Turn key switch OFF and disconnect the engine harness to the 23-pin Deutsch connector.
Disconnect the VP44 relay from the engine harness. Disconnect the engine harness from the ECM. Check
for a short circuit. Measure the resistance from pin 38 to all other pins in the engine harness, from pins 39,
40, 20, 28, and 29 to all other pins in the engine harness.
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 More than 100k ohms?

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

Go to 4A

Step 3D) Turn key switch OFF and check the add-on or the accessory wiring at the positive (+) terminal of
the battery. Starting at the positive (+) terminal, follow any add-on or accessory wiring, and examine wire(s)
for damaged insulation or an installation error that can cause the supply wire to be shorted to the engine
block ground.

No damaged wires?

Yes - Go to 4A No - Repair or replace the damaged wiring

Go to 4A

Step 4A) Connect all components. Turn key switch ON and disable the fault code. Start the engine, and let
idle for 1 minute. Verify that Fault Code 434 is inactive.

Fault Code 434 inactive?

Yes - Go to 4B No - Return to troubleshooting steps or contact local

Cummins Authorized Repair Location if all steps
have been completed and checked again
Go to 1A
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Step 4B) Connect all components, turn key switch ON and 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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