Update on loss of Turbo Boost and check Transmission light

[davidkerryedwards]

I agree that in most ways, non-computerized vehicles are easier to diagnose.
It's why I drive
pre-computer Mercedes diesels for the most part. However, if a person does have
a
computerized Bird, how hard is to obtain a code reader and code explanation
chart? I
recently bought an OBD II code reader for my Suzuki Sidekick toad. I paid $100
for that code
reader. I figured that was about equal to one visit to a shop to check codes.
What kind of
code reader is necessary for the Detroit, Allison and ZF transmissions? Does
anyone here
have a reader?

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

[David Brady]

A Detroit Diesel mechanic pointed me to this site for CAN
readers and analyzers:

http://www.dgtech.com/

David Brady
'02 LXi, Smokey
Va

davidkerryedwards wrote:
> I agree that in most ways, non-computerized vehicles are easier to diagnose.
It's why I drive
> pre-computer Mercedes diesels for the most part. However, if a person does
have a
> computerized Bird, how hard is to obtain a code reader and code explanation
chart? I
> recently bought an OBD II code reader for my Suzuki Sidekick toad. I paid $100
for that code
> reader. I figured that was about equal to one visit to a shop to check codes.
What kind of
> code reader is necessary for the Detroit, Allison and ZF transmissions? Does
anyone here
> have a reader?
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[Gregory OConnor]

Kerry, I disagree with you guys. Early smog computers had their
problems but the entire thing is getting more user friendly. When a
mechanic looks at an issue and sighs or says "fangled thing", run.
Find one without fear of computers because he/she is not blaming the
computers existence for their ignorance of the product.

Early computers were effected by battery charging and jump-starts but
that was corrected when problems arose. It seems that things that
could go wrong did go wrong with 1991 8V/Allison setup in the
trucking business by 1995 when the fleets had 450,000 miles on them.
The uniqueness of the RV is low-miles little-use, constant battery
charge/discharge, two battery banks and age of equipment.

When a non computer rigs Airfilter gets clogged it burns too rich it
billows black smoke. When a computerized rig gets a a/f clog the
computer shuts down a function that will not allow it to blow smoke.
that function usuly reduces rpms and often sets off confusing signals
to the trans shifting computer. Something tells the computer that
there is restricted flow. If that signal is sent and there in no
restriction in flow then it is a bad sensor and or wire link to the
computer or from the power source. Understanding the computer is
key.

Computerized engines have less major part failures because root
causes of major failures are detected when they are subtle issues.
Many folk view frequency of minor issues with computerized engines
and transmissions as a bad annoying thing. They overlook the fact
that these 'Check trans/engine lite occurances' become major problems
that go undetected on the non computerized engines/trans.

To answer your question, I thought about getting a code reader but
dont feel confident enough to understand what the "fangled thing" is
saying.

I wish folk like JohnFinn and TomWarner would jump on the DD/Allison
computer bus so I could learn more about my rig.
GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> I agree that in most ways, non-computerized vehicles are easier to
diagnose. It's why I drive
> pre-computer Mercedes diesels for the most part. However, if a
person does have a
> computerized Bird, how hard is to obtain a code reader and code
explanation chart? I
> recently bought an OBD II code reader for my Suzuki Sidekick toad.
I paid $100 for that code
> reader. I figured that was about equal to one visit to a shop to
check codes. What kind of
> code reader is necessary for the Detroit, Allison and ZF
transmissions? Does anyone here
> have a reader?
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>

[davidkerryedwards]

I was on the Busnuts site the other day and noticed a few people on the forum
there
seemed quite familar with the computer diagnostics of DD's.
I don't think that computers necessarily make engines worse. It's just that a
diagnostician
has to understand both computers and engines to be a good diagnostician once the
engine is computerized.
There are lots of good mechanics but a good diagnostician is different than a
good
mechanic. When I worked at a GM dealership back in the 60's everyone recognized
that
one guy had the most creative mind in diagnosing a problem so all the difficult
problems
went to him. When I was having my problems this summer, I saw the same social
dynamics in the truck shop. People respected 'Shrimp's' ability to diagnose and
thought
he was the best chance of getting the problem figured out correctly.
Having to diagnose a computer as well as an engine makes finding such a person
more
difficult, particularly amongst amateurs.

Kerry
82 Fc 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gregory OConnor"
wrote:
>
> Kerry, I disagree with you guys. Early smog computers had their
> problems but the entire thing is getting more user friendly. When a
> mechanic looks at an issue and sighs or says "fangled thing", run.
> Find one without fear of computers because he/she is not blaming the
> computers existence for their ignorance of the product.
>
> Early computers were effected by battery charging and jump-starts but
> that was corrected when problems arose. It seems that things that
> could go wrong did go wrong with 1991 8V/Allison setup in the
> trucking business by 1995 when the fleets had 450,000 miles on them.
> The uniqueness of the RV is low-miles little-use, constant battery
> charge/discharge, two battery banks and age of equipment.
>
> When a non computer rigs Airfilter gets clogged it burns too rich it
> billows black smoke. When a computerized rig gets a a/f clog the
> computer shuts down a function that will not allow it to blow smoke.
> that function usuly reduces rpms and often sets off confusing signals
> to the trans shifting computer. Something tells the computer that
> there is restricted flow. If that signal is sent and there in no
> restriction in flow then it is a bad sensor and or wire link to the
> computer or from the power source. Understanding the computer is
> key.
>
> Computerized engines have less major part failures because root
> causes of major failures are detected when they are subtle issues.
> Many folk view frequency of minor issues with computerized engines
> and transmissions as a bad annoying thing. They overlook the fact
> that these 'Check trans/engine lite occurances' become major problems
> that go undetected on the non computerized engines/trans.
>
> To answer your question, I thought about getting a code reader but
> dont feel confident enough to understand what the "fangled thing" is
> saying.
>
> I wish folk like JohnFinn and TomWarner would jump on the DD/Allison
> computer bus so I could learn more about my rig.
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > I agree that in most ways, non-computerized vehicles are easier to
> diagnose. It's why I drive
> > pre-computer Mercedes diesels for the most part. However, if a
> person does have a
> > computerized Bird, how hard is to obtain a code reader and code
> explanation chart? I
> > recently bought an OBD II code reader for my Suzuki Sidekick toad.
> I paid $100 for that code
> > reader. I figured that was about equal to one visit to a shop to
> check codes. What kind of
> > code reader is necessary for the Detroit, Allison and ZF
> transmissions? Does anyone here
> > have a reader?
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 FC 35
> > Denver
> >
>

[Tom Warner]

Greg I believe you and I agree on what the major problem is with
motorhomes today...lack of use and maintenance. They sit for months
and then go on a few thousand mile trip and are expected to perform
perfectly. Very few keep a maintenance record and would have to dig
thru their records to tell when they changed a belt or changed the
engine oil. I have a hunch from reading thousands of posts on this
and other forums that a lot of BB owners on this forum never get
their hands dirty and really work on their coaches. . But there is
hope for all of us with this forum. With as many members as there on
here exclusively owning Bluebirds there are enough people actually
working on their coaches that can help the rest of us. Me I even walk
past my coach and it spits oil on me. I see other guys that wear
white coveralls and can work all day and be clean. I look like I was
the coal shoveller from a steam locomotive when I quit for the day.

I bought a one owner coach that was always garaged. Even this coach
has some problems that I have had to correct. There are just not
enough qualified shops to service Bluebirds unless you drive to fort
vally or Holland Motorhomes etc.

I already spend to much time playing with my PT 40. But then this is
my hobby now and I love to tackle the problems and get everything
back to working right. Its a great satisfaction to hit the key and
hear it instantly jump to life and willing to go. But learning the
computer system on the later coaches.........maybe later if I ever
change my mind and buy one. Then I would be forced to. Only my wife
knows this. I would be terrified to drive a motorhome on the road
without knowing how to fix it and that is the truth. That is what
drives me to read everything I can and learn each system in the
coach. I have been lucky that I can read a manual and then go and do it.
tom warner
vernon center,ny
1985 PT 40

At 03:02 PM 12/10/2006, you wrote:
>Kerry, I disagree with you guys. Early smog computers had their
>problems but the entire thing is getting more user friendly. When a
>mechanic looks at an issue and sighs or says "fangled thing", run.
>Find one without fear of computers because he/she is not blaming the
>computers existence for their ignorance of the product.
>
>Early computers were effected by battery charging and jump-starts but
>that was corrected when problems arose. It seems that things that
>could go wrong did go wrong with 1991 8V/Allison setup in the
>trucking business by 1995 when the fleets had 450,000 miles on them.
>The uniqueness of the RV is low-miles little-use, constant battery
>charge/discharge, two battery banks and age of equipment.
>
>When a non computer rigs Airfilter gets clogged it burns too rich it
>billows black smoke. When a computerized rig gets a a/f clog the
>computer shuts down a function that will not allow it to blow smoke.
>that function usuly reduces rpms and often sets off confusing signals
>to the trans shifting computer. Something tells the computer that
>there is restricted flow. If that signal is sent and there in no
>restriction in flow then it is a bad sensor and or wire link to the
>computer or from the power source. Understanding the computer is
>key.
>
>Computerized engines have less major part failures because root
>causes of major failures are detected when they are subtle issues.
>Many folk view frequency of minor issues with computerized engines
>and transmissions as a bad annoying thing. They overlook the fact
>that these 'Check trans/engine lite occurances' become major problems
>that go undetected on the non computerized engines/trans.
>
>To answer your question, I thought about getting a code reader but
>dont feel confident enough to understand what the "fangled thing" is
>saying.
>
>I wish folk like JohnFinn and TomWarner would jump on the DD/Allison
>computer bus so I could learn more about my rig.
>GregoryO'Connor
>94ptRomolandCa
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > I agree that in most ways, non-computerized vehicles are easier to
>diagnose. It's why I drive
> > pre-computer Mercedes diesels for the most part. However, if a
>person does have a
> > computerized Bird, how hard is to obtain a code reader and code
>explanation chart? I
> > recently bought an OBD II code reader for my Suzuki Sidekick toad.
>I paid $100 for that code
> > reader. I figured that was about equal to one visit to a shop to
>check codes. What kind of
> > code reader is necessary for the Detroit, Allison and ZF
>transmissions? Does anyone here
> > have a reader?
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 FC 35
> > Denver
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>