SPN 171: outside air temperature
Outside air temperature. Type another SPN and FMI to check it.
Outside air temperature.
- Check the sensor plug.
Paste the whole line if you like: "SPN 3251 FMI 0", "3251/0" or Deere's "003251.00". Plain-words guidance; the service manual wins.
What SPN 171 means
Outside air temperature.
How urgent it is
Schedule it. Put it on the next service. Watch for it to come back.
What to check first
- Check the sensor plug.
Plain-words guidance for a foreman, not a repair procedure. Makers add their own codes and steps; the machine's service manual wins.
Other FMIs for SPN 171
| Code | What failed | Urgency |
|---|---|---|
| SPN 171 FMI 3 | voltage high or shorted high | Schedule it |
| SPN 171 FMI 4 | voltage low or shorted low | Schedule it |
Next time, Dozer catches the code when it fires.
Plug a CAN logger into the machine's J1939 port, or connect the telematics you have. When a code fires, Dozer opens a repair ticket with the meaning, how urgent it is and what to check.
- The code, the machine and its hours on one ticket
- Severity sorted: keep working, plan a stop, or stop now
- The mechanic gets the checklist before they drive out
- Repeat codes on the same machine get flagged
LIVE EX-04 · SPN 3251 FMI 0 · plan a stop today Photo is an AI-generated stand-in, not a customer site.
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Questions crews ask
What does SPN 171 mean?
Outside air temperature.
Can I keep running with SPN 171?
Schedule it. It can wait for a planned stop, but don't let it ride for weeks. If the machine derates or the stop lamp is on, stop.
What should I check first for SPN 171?
Check the sensor plug.
How do I clear SPN 171?
Fix the cause first. Most codes go inactive by themselves once the condition is gone and the engine has run a key cycle or two. Clearing it with a service tool without a fix only hides it until it comes back.
Which machines show SPN 171?
Any diesel that speaks SAE J1939: excavators, dozers, loaders, haul trucks, generators and on-road trucks with Cat, Cummins, Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, Kubota, Perkins and other engines. The SPN means the same thing on all of them; the fix steps can differ, so check the service manual.
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