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SPN 111 — Coolant level

Do not driveMinutes

J1939 code SPN 111. Below — how the fault is worded at the factory by Dongfeng, KAMAZ, MAZ, Mercedes-Benz and YaMZ, and what the second half of the code (FMI) means in the standard.

DongfengKAMAZMAZMercedes-BenzYaMZ

Dongfeng

FMI 3Short circuit to power or open circuit of the coolant level sensor
FMI 4Short circuit to ground of the coolant level sensor
FMI 17Low coolant level (minor)
FMI 18Low coolant level

KAMAZ

FMI 1Coolant level sensor (KWSE). K-line code on KamAZ-5490: ADM3 11001.
FMI 3Coolant level sensor. K-line code on KamAZ-5490: ADM3 11003.
FMI 4Coolant level sensor. K-line code on KamAZ-5490: ADM3 11004.
FMI 14Coolant level sensor (KWSE). K-line code on KamAZ-5490: ADM3 11014.

MAZ

FMI 2Coolant level sensor circuit fault - Implausible signal. Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 3Coolant level sensor circuit fault - Voltage above allowed. Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 4Coolant level sensor circuit fault - Voltage below allowed. Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 12Coolant level sensor circuit fault - Open circuit. Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.

Mercedes-Benz

FMI 1Coolant Level below safe operating level (SEL Condition)
FMI 3Coolant Level Circuit shorted to Ubat
FMI 4Coolant Level Sensor Circuit Failed Low
FMI 6Coolant Level Sensor Circuit shorted to GND

YaMZ

FMI 2Coolant level sensor circuit fault (Implausible signal). Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 3Coolant level sensor circuit fault (Voltage above allowable limit). Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 4Coolant level sensor circuit fault (Voltage below allowable limit). Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.
FMI 12Coolant level sensor circuit fault (Open circuit). Blink code: 2-4-6. Repair: Check the coolant level sensor and its wiring.

What FMI means in J1939

SPN 111 FMI 1111/1 · 111.1data below normal range (most severe level)
SPN 111 FMI 2111/2 · 111.2data erratic or intermittent
SPN 111 FMI 3111/3 · 111.3voltage above normal or shorted high
SPN 111 FMI 4111/4 · 111.4voltage below normal or shorted to ground
SPN 111 FMI 6111/6 · 111.6current above normal or grounded circuit
SPN 111 FMI 12111/12 · 111.12faulty device or component
SPN 111 FMI 14111/14 · 111.14manufacturer-specific instructions
SPN 111 FMI 17111/17 · 111.17below normal — low severity
SPN 111 FMI 18111/18 · 111.18below normal — moderate severity

Can I keep driving

Do not drive. Stop as soon as it’s safe to do so — don’t keep going.

What happens if you keep driving

Time you have: Minutes

The engine is already past its temperature limit. An aluminium head goes fast: first the geometry warps, then the gasket burns through.

Next comes a blown head gasket, a damaged head and, at worst, a cracked block. Shut it down and let it cool — never open the expansion tank cap while hot.

This is an electrical fault: the sensor or its wiring is lying, not the cooling system. The temperature gauge is unreliable now and the fan may not kick in on time. Watch the coolant level and keep the engine off load on long climbs.

What to check on the spot

Let the engine cool — never open the expansion tank cap while hot. Then check the level and the hoses.

Which codes follow

If the value really did go out of range, rather than a sensor circuit being broken, these normally light up after it:

They are not fixed separately — they go out together with this one. The list is deliberately short: only the links the reference is sure about.

Nearby: cooling

Scanner threw several codes at once? Paste the whole list — we will show which one is the root cause and which ones simply followed.