| Author | Message | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 798 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.30.197  Rating: N/A |
Yep, that's me! I have had to literally miss the last two local outings due to the bus having electrical malfunctions. I have researched and replaced just about everything sensor wise, module wise, harness wise, cable wise, terminal wise, well you get the picture and after the last $200 purchase to replace the low coolant module assy., I just knew the problem would be solved. Well with everything that has been going on lately in my family, work, and home (remodel) I finally decided that it was time to get away for a day or two, so a few of us busnuts locally planned a trip about 2 hours north. We really wanted to go to the Carolinas but the fuel prices and others things kept us down here. Anyway, back to my electronics. After installing the module and harness, I thought my troubles were over. NOT! I STILL had a check engine light. That WAS better than having a stop engine light and shut down along with it. What to do now? I researched some more, made numerous phone calls, got MANY different opinions along with a lot of what to do's. I tried everything. Nothing worked! I was to the point, even as late as this afternoon, and after a lengthy discussion with the boss, that we would put it up for sale. I just couldn't justify having this large expensive bus as a yard ornament. Basically that's all it has been since I returned from Arcadia other than a short trip or two with NO problems and even those were done with caution and a very un-easy feeling the whole trip! Well after an afternoon of pure disgust, a few more phone calls to fellow busnuts (I was open for anything at this point) I decide to start the diagnostic troubleshooting from the very beginning. If anyone has ever seen the DDEC 2 troubleshooting guide, it's pretty thick! I got to the point of checking the ground connections. This was the majority opinion from the pros I had talked to. I mean you can only check the grounds so many ways and so many times before they all start to look like plain wire! I knew everything in the ground department was good. It HAD to be. Only thing short of them not being good was ripping them out and replacing them. I don't think so! Have you ever seen the wires in a H3 Prevost? Road map from hell! I then went on the section about checking the voltage! Since my vom was already out, I decided to check the voltage at the module per the book. WHAT! No voltage! Now my head hangs against the bus in more disgust, but fortunatly for me, I hung it right in front of the circuit breakers which are right in front of the diagram that tells what is what and where! I notice there are 2 circuit breakers for the ECM. I tripped them both and reset them, I guess just to be doing something! then as I looked on, I read that the next breaker in line was for the coolant module. Hmm! I tripped and reset it. I then decided since I was right there to check the voltage at the wire going TO the circuit breaker. When doing so, I missed hitting the terminal screw with my volt meter probe and hit the wire. Hey wait a minute. it's not supposed to move. I focused my eyes and wiggled it with my fingers. it DID move almost to the point that it was about to fall out of the terminal block. I backed up with amazement. could this be the culprit that has haunted me and my travels for 3 years? My friend Manny was on his way over to help me diagnose the problem and Susan was on her way home. I didn't touch a thing until they both got there. I wanted them both to share in the celebration of finding the culprit if it was in deed the problem. After showing it (the loose screw) to them, I tightened it up with about 3 1/2 turns and they are short screws so yes it was about to fall out! Now the test! Went to front of bus, turned the key to ON and both lights came on as they should. They both SHOULD go out, and this time THEY DID! I hooked up the pro-link, started the bus, NO CEO or SEL LIGHTS! Checked the pro-link and NO active codes! I deleted the historic code and checked again for active codes. NONE FOUND! The bus ran fine afterwards and now I am a very Happy Camper! Susan is loading it up as I type and tomorrow we can join the gang for 4 days of R&R! Oh and yes I checked ALL the screws on the other terminals! This was the ONLY one found to be loose! I always knew I had a loose screw, just didn't know where! I thought I would type that so you guys wouldn't have the chance! LOL I found my problem, I found my problem! Hooray! It wasn't a bad wire or ground. It was a simple loose screw that would probably take the pros a while to find! Man, I feel like driving all week and then some! I feel more confident now then I ever have since owning this bus. Hope it works out this good once I'm on the road!  Ace | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 255 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 209.218.200.174  Rating: N/A |
Great News Ace, In my line of work in the concrete block industry, we always tightened all terminals and pulled on every wire to make sure all was tight once a year. It's amazing how current going on and off how it affects terminals. I need to check our Eagle, haven't done that. Guess I better practice what I have preached for so long. Sorry you had to go through that to save the rest of us some aggrevation. Enjoy your time away, you and Susan deserve it! | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 799 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.30.197 Rating: N/A |
Here's a picture of the 3 year old culprit!  | ||
| Bill 340 (Bill_340)
Registered Member Username: Bill_340 Post Number: 56 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.201.210.225 Rating: |
Now if you could just fix the NUT behind the wheel.......Have a safe trip | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 800 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.30.197 Rating: N/A |
And a picture of the schematic!  | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 801 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 75.200.30.197 Rating: N/A |
And you think you have wires to trace!!!!!!! yellow is 12v and red is 24v... and this is just a SMALL area of wires!   | ||
| Manny (Buscrazyinfl)
Registered Member Username: Buscrazyinfl Post Number: 38 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 72.184.224.237 Rating: N/A |
All I have to say is that I was on my way to buy a Prevost at a good price LOL. My part in all of this is simply that I was praying on the way to Ace's that we would find the problem and the Lord heard my prayer before I got to Ace's house. Our God is a good God even the small things in our lives he is interested in. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 1010 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5  Rating: N/A |
If there is a bright side to this, I would say that you now understand some of the DDEC system and that many times the problems encountered with them are the same ones as with other electrical systems. That rush of finding AND FIXING that problem that has dogged you so long will be memorable for a long time. Many of us have " been there " ourselves. | ||
| Muddog16 (Muddog16)
Registered Member Username: Muddog16 Post Number: 372 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 67.142.130.25 Rating: N/A |
Ace, You found one of two of the most difficult problems you can have in electrical circuits (LC) or loose connection, the other being a broken wire somewhere between point A and B! Those problems have humbled many electricians! Congrats! Now enjoy the bus! | ||
| Jim Wilke (Jim Bob) (Pd41044039)
Registered Member Username: Pd41044039 Post Number: 276 Registered: 2-2001 Posted From: 69.77.153.238 Rating: N/A |
Man that's GREAT Ace. I have followed your problems but couldn't offer any suggestions. Hope you and Susan enjoy many thousands of problem free miles. You have paid your dues for sure! | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 349 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 74.33.36.66 Rating: N/A |
Ace,you are a lucky man I saw a H345 in WW Williams shop in Phoenix that had a $13,000 bill for repairs where somebody had put a screw into the wiring harness | ||
| Ed Roelle (Ed_roelle)
Registered Member Username: Ed_roelle Post Number: 51 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 69.246.74.161 Rating: N/A |
Congratulations. Wow, that has plagued you for a long time. Didn't you have electrical problems since you first bought it? Ed Roelle Flint, MI | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 405 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
Congrats & thanks for sharing. Those electrical gremlins are tough. You now know the system better than ever & won't be as intimidated by it in the future. Think of it as a tuition payment to the school of hard knocks. . . . I've been making quite a few payments myself lately. | ||
| Steven M. Toomey (Pabusnut)
Registered Member Username: Pabusnut Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2005 Posted From: 71.207.107.232 Rating: N/A |
Ace, Thanks for sharing. I too have found it is normally the simple things that I think are too simple that end up being the culprits of my problems! I am a simple guy, so it kind of works out! Steve Toomey PaBusnut | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 262 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.250 Rating: N/A |
Ace....great story...and ending. Thanx for sharing. Howmsoever.....Very difficult to read one. single. long. informative, educational and entertaining paragraph....(suck in breath) and try to follow the continuity....(whew)... Grant us a break so that us older folks can interpret along the way. In short-----------White space every once in a while. Thanx and congrats on finding "the problem"/\/\/\ RCB | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 802 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.108 Rating: N/A |
We are here! Bus ran great! No lights, no problems! Beautiful place were at! Awning worked like a charm! Uh oh yea there was 1 problem on the way up. The door came open 3 times! I had to finally strap it shut! Might have been me but will know more today. I was told I was shutting the door wrong! Go figure that one! LOL | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 263 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 4.240.213.152 Rating: N/A |
Thanx, Ace ...easy readin' RCB | ||
| Nick Badame Refrigeration Co. (Dnick85)
Registered Member Username: Dnick85 Post Number: 211 Registered: 2-2006 Posted From: 70.211.212.81  Rating: N/A |
Watch Out... Who ever comes near ACE first, gets the GREMLINS! Lol.. Hi Ace & Susan, Glad your electrical problems are over! Effert Equals Results! Enjoy your trip Nick- | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 227 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 76.4.151.87 Rating: N/A |
I am hoping that ACE has left all the GEMLINS at home and none follow him wherever he and Susan goes. Thanks for sharing the solution to a major problem ace and continue to keep your chin down and keep on looking. LOL | ||
| FloridaCliff (Floridacracker)
Registered Member Username: Floridacracker Post Number: 376 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 24.27.228.156 Rating: N/A |
Ace, Thanks for sharing your solution... Glad that ones behind you and your crusing the highways and biways again.... Manny, Without a doubt! Cliff | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 803 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.117 Rating: N/A |
Cliff you and Bob should have joined the 5 of us busnuts here in Williston! What a rv park this is and in a great little town that is within.a bike ride away. We all are having a blast! This park is about 150 acres and all new and under construction. Were having a mini rally of sorts. Trying to have a get together like once a month. Keeps the fluids fluid and the tires round. Open to suggestions for where the next Outing can be! Picture day tomorrow! Later... | ||
| FloridaCliff (Floridacracker)
Registered Member Username: Floridacracker Post Number: 377 Registered: 7-2004 Posted From: 24.27.228.156 Rating: N/A |
Ace, Give me a little "heads up" on the next mini rally, we would love to come... Just came back from 6 days in the keys and ready for more... Cliff | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 804 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 216.9.250.114 Rating: N/A |
Cliff and any other busnuts that hail from florida. We are the "flying aces" busnuts.I didn't name us but we use that name when registering wherever we plan to stay. It doesn't get you anything special but it does keep us grouped together. We are and have been planning a local get together once a month. Always open to suggestions as to where too. We will try and post when and where but the best way is to email Manny or.myself. We would love to join others and others join us. I have to tell you, the bus ran just flawlessly, used very little fuel and I am sorry I am already home. Hmm, now that I think about it, I was having such a great time with everyone (the other 3 busnust) that I totally forgot to take pictures. Sorry! Maybe Manny or Darlene took some I could post! Looking forward to the next trip already uh, after I fix the door that won't stay latched! That's gonna be another brain teaser I'm sure! Tackling that real soon so stay tuned! Ace | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 231 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 76.4.151.87 Rating: N/A |
Ace; if I had known that you were in Williston at the rv park I would have come UP and seen what you looked like after finding your problem. I live just about 10 miles from there and I am dissapointed you didn't let us know where you were BOO HOO GOMER | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 805 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.221.202.100 Rating: N/A |
Well Marvin we are already planning another mini rally so when it gets finalized, join in and we can all meet and greet! I didn't know you were that close to Williston or I would have made it a point to look you up! Ace | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 232 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 76.4.151.87 Rating: N/A |
I am in OCALA and in order to get to points west you gotta come thru here LOL Just let me know when and where. And that goes for all you other nuts traveling thru this here area. Gomer | ||
| H3-40 (Ace)
Registered Member Username: Ace Post Number: 807 Registered: 10-2004 Posted From: 70.221.110.211 Rating: N/A |
Marvin and anyone else, as it stands right now, our next local outing is planned for memorial day weekend >I THINK< Not exactly sure where it will be. You would have to ask the secretary in charge or the planning committee but you all are more than welcome to join us. We make it fun no matter how many show up! Heck, just getting away with friends IS fun! Ace |
