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SPN 801 — Retarder Control Relay

Safe to driveTo the nearest safe stop

J1939 code SPN 801. Below — how the fault is worded at the factory by Bendix ABS/ESP, Meritor (ex-WABCO), Renault Trucks and WABCO ABS/ESC, and what the second half of the code (FMI) means in the standard.

Bendix ABS/ESPMeritor (ex-WABCO)Renault TrucksWABCO ABS/ESC

Bendix ABS/ESP

FMI 2Retarder Relay or HSA Lamp Open Circuit
FMI 3Retarder Relay Circuit or HSA Lamp Shorted to Voltage

Meritor (ex-WABCO)

FMI 3Failure detection 'ShortUb' at Endurance Brake Relay
FMI 4Failure detection 'ShortGnd' at Endurance Brake Relay
FMI 5Failure detection 'Interruption' at Endurance Brake Relay
FMI 13Failure detection 'OverEquipped' at Endurance Brake Relay

Renault Trucks

FMI 3Retarder cut-off relay supply, open circuit or short. Repair: Check the continuity of the wiring of the retarder cut-out relay circuit R18 (X1/17) (fuse F28 20 A).
FMI 4Retarder cut-off relay supply, short to ground. Repair: Check the continuity of the wiring of the retarder cut-out relay circuit R18 (X1/17) (fuse F28 20 A).
FMI 11Relay R18: contact or relay fault, open circuit at the contact or at the relay. Repair: Make sure the relay operates correctly.

WABCO ABS/ESC

FMI 3Shorted to UBATT
FMI 5Open Circuit
FMI 6Shorted to Ground

What FMI means in J1939

SPN 801 FMI 2801/2 · 801.2data erratic or intermittent
SPN 801 FMI 3801/3 · 801.3voltage above normal or shorted high
SPN 801 FMI 4801/4 · 801.4voltage below normal or shorted to ground
SPN 801 FMI 5801/5 · 801.5current below normal or open circuit
SPN 801 FMI 6801/6 · 801.6current above normal or grounded circuit
SPN 801 FMI 11801/11 · 801.11root cause not known
SPN 801 FMI 13801/13 · 801.13calibration out of range

Can I keep driving

Safe to drive. Below — how much time you have and what happens if you keep going.

What happens if you keep driving

Time you have: To the nearest safe stop

The electrical system is not holding voltage. While the engine runs the alternator carries it; shut it off and you may not restart.

Next the lights go, then modules start dropping out and false codes appear all over the truck. Get to somewhere with help without shutting the engine down.

What to check on the spot

Check the battery terminals and earth strap — corrosion and loose clamps throw false codes all over the truck. Running voltage should be 27–29 V.

Nearby: power supply

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