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SPN 5397 FMI 31Severity: Warning

SPN 5397 FMI 31: DPF regenerations occurring too frequently

Quick Answer

DPF regenerations occurring too frequently

Code
SPN 5397 FMI 31
Severity
Warning
Applies to
Check OEM application
Can I drive?
Driving suitability is not established by this code alone.

Common Symptoms

  • DPF regenerations occur more often than expected
  • Aftertreatment warning or MIL may illuminate
  • Fuel consumption may increase

Likely Causes

  • DPF differential pressure sensor or hose problem
  • Exhaust leak or restriction
  • Engine condition producing excessive soot

Common Fixes

  • Check for other active engine and aftertreatment faults first
  • Inspect DPF differential pressure sensor connections and pressure hoses
  • Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, restrictions or physical damage
Full technical sections↓

What does SPN 5397 FMI 31 mean?

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DPF regenerations occurring too frequently

Detailed guide for SPN 5397 FMI 31

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What SPN 5397 FMI 31 means

SPN 5397 FMI 31 is documented by Navistar for DPF regenerations occurring too frequently.

The published diagnostic applies to EPA 2014 N9 and N10 SCR engines.

What you may notice

The truck may perform regenerations much more often than normal.

The malfunction indicator lamp or aftertreatment warning can illuminate after repeated detection of the condition.

Frequent regeneration can also increase fuel consumption.

What to check first

Check for other active engine or aftertreatment fault codes and diagnose those first when appropriate.

Inspect the DPF differential pressure sensor connectors and pressure tubes.

Check the exhaust system for leaks, restrictions, damage or soot traces, including areas upstream of the DPF.

Why frequent regeneration happens

Frequent regeneration is usually a symptom rather than the root problem.

The engine may actually be producing excessive soot, or faulty pressure/temperature information may make the controller believe regeneration is required more often than it really is.

Important

This exact diagnostic description is documented for specific Navistar N9/N10 applications. Other manufacturers may use SPN 5397 differently, so confirm the engine family before applying the repair path.

Video walkthrough for SPN 5397 FMI 31

The videos below are embedded using YouTube’s official player. We do not host or claim ownership of this content. Use it as a visual reference and always confirm with diagnostics for your exact truck configuration.

SPN 5397 FMI 31 / SPN 4364 FMI 18
Channel: Truckers Helping Truckers • View in BigRigFaults Media • YouTube source
If a creator disables embedding, the video will stop showing here. That’s normal and it’s their right.
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