Cummins fault code 131
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage high / shorted high
What it means
Cummins' description: Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit - Voltage above normal, or shorted to high source.
SPN 91 is Accelerator Pedal Position 1. FMI 3 means the voltage on the circuit is higher than possible for a good sensor, usually an open signal wire, a short to a power wire, or a failed sensor.
The accelerator pedal has position sensors and an idle validation switch so the ECM knows exactly what the driver is asking for. Cruise control, brake and clutch switches, PTO and vehicle speed inputs are also monitored.
What the lamp means
A red stop lamp means Cummins treats this as serious. Stop the engine as soon as you can do it safely and get it checked before running it again.
Green, yellow, red: three ways this can look
The same code can be a quick fix or a reason to shut down. Match your situation to the closest example. Cummins rates this a red stop lamp code, so if the red lamp is on, go by the red example.
Keep an eye on it
A pedal or switch code that set once and cleared, and the pedal works normally.
Schedule a repair
Cruise doesn't work, the pedal feels dead in spots, or the code keeps returning. Have the pedal or switch checked.
Stop and get help
Engine stuck at idle or the pedal not responding, especially with a red lamp. Don't drive it in traffic. You won't have reliable throttle.
Common causes
FMI 3 is an electrical or signal fault, so start with the circuit:
- Accelerator pedal sensor worn or failed
- Pedal connector corroded or loose
- Brake, clutch or cruise switch out of adjustment or failed
- Vehicle speed sensor or wiring fault
If the circuit checks out, the reading may be real. Other possibilities: pedal sensors disagreeing with each other; switch inputs that don't make sense together, like brake and throttle at once.
What you can check before calling
- Check whether the engine stays at idle no matter what you do with the pedal
- Look at the pedal connector under the dash
- Check whether cruise control works
Clearing the code without fixing the cause usually brings it right back, and on emissions systems it can restart derate timers.
Engines and sources
Listed by Cummins for: QSB 6.7, QSL 9, QSX 15, QSB 4.5, QSF 3.8, QSG 12. Cummins uses the same fault code numbers across its electronic engines, including on-highway models like the ISB/B6.7, ISL/L9 and ISX/X15, though not every code applies to every engine or software level. Source: Cummins Tier 4 Fault Codes. Always confirm with Cummins service information (QuickServe) for your engine serial number.
Same SPN, other failure types
- 132 SPN 91 FMI 4
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage low / shorted low - 147 SPN 91 FMI 1
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position 1 Sensor Circuit Frequency: reading below normal (most severe) - 148 SPN 91 FMI 0
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1: reading above normal (most severe) - 287 SPN 91 FMI 19
SAE J1939 Multiplexing Accelerator Pedal Sensor System Error: network data error - 1242 SPN 91 FMI 2
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1: erratic or intermittent signal - 1358 SPN 91 FMI 3
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage high / shorted high - 1359 SPN 91 FMI 4
Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage low / shorted low - 1515 SPN 91 FMI 19
SAE J1939 Multiplexed Accelerator Pedal or Lever Sensor System: network data error
Related Accelerator pedal and driver controls codes
- 133 SPN 974 FMI 3
Remote Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage high / shorted high - 134 SPN 974 FMI 4
Remote Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit: circuit voltage low / shorted low - 193 SPN 520199 FMI 3
Cruise Control (Resistive) Signal Circuit: circuit voltage high / shorted high - 194 SPN 520199 FMI 4
Cruise Control (Resistive) Signal Circuit: circuit voltage low / shorted low - 237 SPN 644 FMI 2
External Speed Command Input (Multiple Unit Synchronization): erratic or intermittent signal - 241 SPN 84 FMI 2
Wheel-Based Vehicle Speed: erratic or intermittent signal
Look up another code
Cummins fault code (like 1922), J1939 SPN and FMI (like SPN 3251 FMI 0), or an OBD-II code (like P0420).
Questions
What does Cummins fault code 131 mean?
Cummins fault code 131 is J1939 SPN 91 FMI 3: Accelerator Pedal or Lever Position Sensor 1 Circuit - Voltage above normal, or shorted to high source. In plain terms: accelerator pedal or lever position sensor 1 circuit: circuit voltage high / shorted high.
Can I keep driving with Cummins code 131?
No. Cummins assigns this code a red stop lamp. Stop the engine as soon as it's safe and have it checked before running it again. Look at the green, yellow and red examples on this page to judge your situation.
What is the SPN and FMI for Cummins code 131?
SPN 91 identifies the part or system (Accelerator Pedal Position 1). FMI 3 describes the type of failure: circuit voltage high / shorted high.
What usually causes Cummins code 131?
The most common causes are: accelerator pedal sensor worn or failed; pedal connector corroded or loose; brake, clutch or cruise switch out of adjustment or failed.
Diesel down in the Midlands?
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