Truck & Diesel Mechanic Forum - ASE Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Forum : News / en-gb Copyright © 2008-2011 TruckMechanicTips.comThe ASE logo is a trademark of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excelence. info@nospam.com (TruckMechanicTips) info@nospam.com (TruckMechanicTips) Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:45 -0700 Fri, 18 May 2012 21:28:45 -0700 http://backend.userland.com/rss e107 (http://e107.org) hourly 1 60 Do you know your CSA Maintenance Score? http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.11.1
The Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System (SMS) is a tool used by FMCSA and State partners to evaluate a carrier's safety performance.

Look up your score by using a USDOT#
http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/

http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]>
The Motor Carrier Safety Measurement System (SMS) is a tool used by FMCSA and State partners to evaluate a carrier's safety performance.

Look up your score by using a USDOT#
http://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/sms/

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:32:41 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.11.1 Freightliner Truck Dash Reads NO A65 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.10.1
This displays for 2 reason.
1. During ignition the abs module did not have time to report in to the instrument cluster.
"You will not get an abs fault light in this condition"
There is not a problem. The message will go away. The ABS module has not reported to the Instrument Cluster yet.

2. This will display when the abs module has lost power and/or ground or even a bad abs module.
"You will get and abs fault light in this condition"
There is a problem further diagnostics is required.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]>
This displays for 2 reason.
1. During ignition the abs module did not have time to report in to the instrument cluster.
"You will not get an abs fault light in this condition"
There is not a problem. The message will go away. The ABS module has not reported to the Instrument Cluster yet.

2. This will display when the abs module has lost power and/or ground or even a bad abs module.
"You will get and abs fault light in this condition"
There is a problem further diagnostics is required.

http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:07:07 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.10.1 How to Lower CSA Maintenance Score | Ask a Diesel Mechanic http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.9.1
1. CSA Maintenance Score – this new area is for posting ideas and suggestions on maintenance practices and suggestion for how to lower CSA maintenance scores.

2. Ask a Truck Mechanic – by popular request and www.TruckMechanicTips.com member approval, this new section is for the driver and owner operator that visits the forum to ask our pool of over 550 expert diesel mechanics and part personnel questions regarding truck repair.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]>
1. CSA Maintenance Score – this new area is for posting ideas and suggestions on maintenance practices and suggestion for how to lower CSA maintenance scores.

2. Ask a Truck Mechanic – by popular request and www.TruckMechanicTips.com member approval, this new section is for the driver and owner operator that visits the forum to ask our pool of over 550 expert diesel mechanics and part personnel questions regarding truck repair.

http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:40:11 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.9.1 Freightliner jump starts or dead batteries http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.8.1 The problem is that when the tractor has recently had the alternator replaced the last truck mechanic has connected the remote sense wire to the wrong post known as the I post on the alternator. This creates a short in the alternator and pulls 5 to 6 amps out of the batteries all the time when the truck is not running. The wire must be connected to the remote sense post of the alternator. If a non-remote sense alternator is installed don’t connect the harness a non-remote sense alternator will only have 3 post on it.



http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Tue, 24 May 2011 21:40:52 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.8.1 J1939 Troubleshooting http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.7.1
What I am going to share with you about the J1939 data link is life experience versus text book. Let me explain: Modern day trucks have multiple data links used by all the modules. The most common one used is the high speed J1939. Trucks will come into the shops all the time with inactive codes for data links, ABS J1939 time outs, and Engine ECU’s data link failures and so on. Most of the time these codes will get erased and no troubleshooting will be done. I will tell you how to find the possible problem.
This troubleshooting will work for all truck makes but I will use a Freightliner Columbia in my examples. The J1939 data link has two 120 ohm resistors in parallel in the data link. When the data link is in good condition the total resistance will be approximately 60 ohms on pins C and D of the 9 pin data link connector.

Locations of the 2 resistors on some different trucks:
Freightliner Columbia: R1 left hand frame rail, front cab mount and R2 right hand frame rail near frame mount ABS module
Freightliner Century Class: R1 left hand frame rail, front cab mount and R2 left hand B pillar
Volvo with Cummins Power: R1 near engine ECM connector and R2 cab fuse panel
Volvo with Volvo Power: R1 built into engine ECM and R2 cab fuse panel
IHC ProStar: R1 left hand frame rail strapped to airlines near transmission and R2 strapped on top of transmission towards the rear

Before I get into actual troubleshooting you will need to understand how to calculate the resistance in the J1939 harness. Here is the simplest formula and you will need your calculator.
Product over sum
R1xR2
R1+R2

120x120 = 14400
120+120 = 240

14400/240 = 60 ohms


I see all the time inactive codes in the ABS for J1939 time outs on Freightliner Columbia. In about a 3 month period I can count at least 15 trucks that I had to walk someone through these diagnostic steps to find the problem. When checking the J1939 on pins C and D make sure the ignition is off and no modules are communicating when you check the resistance.

The trucks that were checked had measurements that were about 64 to 68 ohms. In most data link troubleshooting text books this is an acceptable measurement and falls within the 60 ohms + or - 10 ohms. My experience tells me there is a problem in the J1939 data link. If you had measured 120 ohms then one resistor is missing or there is some heavy corrosion in the connector to one of the resistors.

Here is what you need to do to know what you should be measuring at pins C and D for the J1939. Note: these were actual measurement on a truck that had a problem
1. remove resistor 1 out of the harness and measure it, lets say it measures 118 ohms
2. remove resistor 2 out of the harness and measure it, lets say it measures 119 ohms
3. Plug these resistances into your formula to know what the actual measurement at pins C and D should be.

118x119 = 14042
118+119 = 237

14042/237 = 59.24 ohms

As you can see we should measure approximately 59 ohms on this data link you can add a small amount for the resistance in the wires but should still be very close to 59 ohms. In everyone of these Columbia’s the resistor near the ABS module on the right hand frame had some green corrosion in the 3 way connector that holds the resistor. Seems the o-rings that should seal out the moisture do a better job sealing in the moisture that got inside of it. After cleaning up the corrosion in the connector the resistance measurement on pins C and D of the J1939 connector dropped from 68 ohms to 59 ohms.

I have used this diagnostic method on many trucks: Volvo, ProStar and Freightliner. I would practice this on a good truck and you will see that using a calculator to calculate the resistance should match what your multi-meter shows you. You will repair many data link problems if you learn this method.

Note: There are some trucks that the J1939 data link resistance can’t be measured unless the batteries are disconnected. IHC ProStar recommends it but I have checked the data link without disconnecting the batteries. Freightliner M2 and C2 chassis you must disconnect the batteries to check the J1939. These trucks and/or school busses have bulk head and chassis module that communicate all the time even with the ignition off and the data link can’t be checked as long as module are transferring data on the J1939.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]>
What I am going to share with you about the J1939 data link is life experience versus text book. Let me explain: Modern day trucks have multiple data links used by all the modules. The most common one used is the high speed J1939. Trucks will come into the shops all the time with inactive codes for data links, ABS J1939 time outs, and Engine ECU’s data link failures and so on. Most of the time these codes will get erased and no troubleshooting will be done. I will tell you how to find the possible problem.
This troubleshooting will work for all truck makes but I will use a Freightliner Columbia in my examples. The J1939 data link has two 120 ohm resistors in parallel in the data link. When the data link is in good condition the total resistance will be approximately 60 ohms on pins C and D of the 9 pin data link connector.

Locations of the 2 resistors on some different trucks:
Freightliner Columbia: R1 left hand frame rail, front cab mount and R2 right hand frame rail near frame mount ABS module
Freightliner Century Class: R1 left hand frame rail, front cab mount and R2 left hand B pillar
Volvo with Cummins Power: R1 near engine ECM connector and R2 cab fuse panel
Volvo with Volvo Power: R1 built into engine ECM and R2 cab fuse panel
IHC ProStar: R1 left hand frame rail strapped to airlines near transmission and R2 strapped on top of transmission towards the rear

Before I get into actual troubleshooting you will need to understand how to calculate the resistance in the J1939 harness. Here is the simplest formula and you will need your calculator.
Product over sum
R1xR2
R1+R2

120x120 = 14400
120+120 = 240

14400/240 = 60 ohms


I see all the time inactive codes in the ABS for J1939 time outs on Freightliner Columbia. In about a 3 month period I can count at least 15 trucks that I had to walk someone through these diagnostic steps to find the problem. When checking the J1939 on pins C and D make sure the ignition is off and no modules are communicating when you check the resistance.

The trucks that were checked had measurements that were about 64 to 68 ohms. In most data link troubleshooting text books this is an acceptable measurement and falls within the 60 ohms + or - 10 ohms. My experience tells me there is a problem in the J1939 data link. If you had measured 120 ohms then one resistor is missing or there is some heavy corrosion in the connector to one of the resistors.

Here is what you need to do to know what you should be measuring at pins C and D for the J1939. Note: these were actual measurement on a truck that had a problem
1. remove resistor 1 out of the harness and measure it, lets say it measures 118 ohms
2. remove resistor 2 out of the harness and measure it, lets say it measures 119 ohms
3. Plug these resistances into your formula to know what the actual measurement at pins C and D should be.

118x119 = 14042
118+119 = 237

14042/237 = 59.24 ohms

As you can see we should measure approximately 59 ohms on this data link you can add a small amount for the resistance in the wires but should still be very close to 59 ohms. In everyone of these Columbia’s the resistor near the ABS module on the right hand frame had some green corrosion in the 3 way connector that holds the resistor. Seems the o-rings that should seal out the moisture do a better job sealing in the moisture that got inside of it. After cleaning up the corrosion in the connector the resistance measurement on pins C and D of the J1939 connector dropped from 68 ohms to 59 ohms.

I have used this diagnostic method on many trucks: Volvo, ProStar and Freightliner. I would practice this on a good truck and you will see that using a calculator to calculate the resistance should match what your multi-meter shows you. You will repair many data link problems if you learn this method.

Note: There are some trucks that the J1939 data link resistance can’t be measured unless the batteries are disconnected. IHC ProStar recommends it but I have checked the data link without disconnecting the batteries. Freightliner M2 and C2 chassis you must disconnect the batteries to check the J1939. These trucks and/or school busses have bulk head and chassis module that communicate all the time even with the ignition off and the data link can’t be checked as long as module are transferring data on the J1939.

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Tue, 24 May 2011 21:38:09 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.7.1 National Technician Skills Competition (TMCSuperTech2011) http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.6.1 September 19-22, 2011
Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, North Carolina

TMCSuperTech Competition Details
Be a part of the ONLY national competition for professional commercial vehicle technicians

TMC 2011 Technician Registration Form

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-5355198-10409064
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Tue, 24 May 2011 21:35:17 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.6.1 Online ASE Test Preparation for Truck and Automotive Technicians http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.5.1 Medium/Heavy Duty Truck Series
(T1 - T8)
Technician Test Preparation (TTP) - Medium/Heavy Truck Series is the ideal way to gain the expertise required to pass the T1 through T8 ASE exams. Within each task area (T1 – T8), users can select one of three study modes: Practice Tests , Sample Tests , or Timed Tests . All Tests enable users to gain experience in answering ASE-style questions while simulating actual test-taking conditions and gauging their readiness for the exams. Feedback for each question provides helpful hints , in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers , plus links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery.

Click Here for ASE Technician Test Preparation


Automotive (Bilingual) Series
(A1 - A8, L1, X1, C1, P2)
Technician Test Preparation (TTP) – Automotive (Bilingual) Series is the ideal way to gain the expertise required to pass the A1 through A8, X1, L1, C1 and P2 ASE exams for both English and Spanish-speaking individuals. Within each task area, users can select one of three study modes: Practice Tests , Sample Tests , or Timed Tests . All Tests enable users to gain experience in answering ASE-style questions while simulating actual test-taking conditions and gauging their readiness for the exams. Feedback for each question provides helpful hints , in-depth explanations of both right and wrong answers , plus links to supplemental readings and/or animations/digitized video clips for each task area to ensure mastery. Language options can easily be switched from English to Spanish and back again throughout the usage of the online tool.

Click Here for ASE Technician Test Preparation
http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:23:41 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.5.1 TMC SuperTech 2009 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.2.1 TMC SuperTech 2009

Be a part of the ONLY national competition for professional commercial vehicle technicians. Click HERE to register for the competition. If you would like to know more about the SuperTech competition click on the following link – TMCSuperTech Info. The Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) is the trucking industry’s premier forum for technology and maintenance. Click HERE to learn more and become a TMC technician member!



TMCSuperTech2009 will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC

Sept. 14-17, 2009.


http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> TMC SuperTech 2009

Be a part of the ONLY national competition for professional commercial vehicle technicians. Click HERE to register for the competition. If you would like to know more about the SuperTech competition click on the following link – TMCSuperTech Info. The Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) is the trucking industry’s premier forum for technology and maintenance. Click HERE to learn more and become a TMC technician member!



TMCSuperTech2009 will be held at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, NC

Sept. 14-17, 2009.


http://www.pocketfleetdiagnosticsolutions.com/
]]> Truck Mechanic News Master Mechanic Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:12:35 -0700 http://www.truckmechanictips.com/news.php?item.2.1