Code Details
| Display code | ELD Power Malfunction |
|---|---|
| SPN | Not applicable or not verified |
| FMI | Not applicable or not verified |
| OEM code | None listed |
| Manufacturer | FMCSA |
| System | Electronic Logging Device |
| Component | Power compliance monitoring |
| Source address | Unknown or not applicable |
| Severity | medium |
| Review status | ai source checked |
| Source confidence | high |
| Last reviewed | 2026-05-05 |
Plain-English Meaning
In plain English, this category means the ELD detected that it may not have been powered or fully available when it needed to capture driving and duty-status information. It is a logging-compliance issue, not proof that a truck battery, alternator, or ECM has failed.
FMCSA ELD guidance describes power data diagnostic events and power compliance malfunctions in relation to ELD power availability during engine-powered operation and accumulated in-motion driving time.
Common Symptoms
- ELD malfunction lamp or icon
- Power data diagnostic message
- Missing or incomplete driving segments
- Prompt to review unidentified or reconstructed records
Possible Causes
Possible causes may include the items below. The list is not a parts diagnosis.
- ELD power cable or dock connection may be loose
- Device may have powered down during engine operation
- Installation or ignition-power sensing may be incorrect
- The ELD device or application may not have remained functional
First Checks
- Confirm whether the ELD is showing a malfunction indicator, a data diagnostic indicator, or both.
- Record the displayed category, event time, vehicle, driver, and any related messages before clearing anything.
- Follow the motor carrier's and ELD provider's instructions for data diagnostic events.
- For malfunctions, notify the carrier and verify recordkeeping steps against current FMCSA requirements.
Can I Keep Driving?
This is primarily a compliance and recordkeeping issue. It does not by itself prove the truck is unsafe to drive, but hours-of-service records and carrier procedures need immediate attention.
Related Codes
Related Lookup Pages
Sources
- ELD Malfunctions and Data Diagnostic Events Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, ELD Malfunctions and Data Diagnostic Events. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source - 49 CFR 395.34 - ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR 395.34 - ELD malfunctions and data diagnostic events. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source - 49 CFR Part 395 Appendix A to Subpart B - Functional Specifications for ELDs Electronic Code of Federal Regulations · government · accessed 2026-05-05 · confidence high
Source: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 49 CFR Part 395 Appendix A to Subpart B - Functional Specifications for ELDs. This page paraphrases factual fields only and is not a substitute for the original document.
Open source
FAQ
Is a power malfunction the same as an engine fault code?
No. ELD malfunction and data diagnostic categories relate to electronic logging compliance and recorded hours-of-service data. They may involve vehicle data, but they are not the same thing as an engine ECM DTC.
Can this page replace the ELD provider's instructions?
No. ELD products vary, and the provider's instructions and the motor carrier's procedures should be used for the specific device.
Should a driver ignore an ELD data diagnostic event?
No. A data diagnostic event signals a data inconsistency. FMCSA guidance says the driver should follow the motor carrier's and ELD provider's recommendations to resolve it.