Check Eng. & Stop Eng. Lites

Jon, I'm told by a CC tech that they didn't equip this bus with a reader switch. Go figure!

Anyway I have a DD tech come out to read the codes.

Thanks again.

Larry,

Codes are a Prevost issue. CC builds the house, not the bus. However, CC interfaces some of their systems with the bus, blurring the line between the two. They are unique in that respect. He is probably right in that their dash may not have the feature for flashing codes built in.

But not knowing a damn thing about how CC has built their dash displays, I would guess there is still a way you can access the codes without a reader. If not, for your own protection try to get a reader or install a ProDriver that will display active codes.

There is nothing worse than to be along side the road with red and orange flshing lights on your bus scaring you, when all you may have is a bad sensor. If you are coming to OKC there are a number of us with readers which occasionally show up on ebay. As long as the reader has software specific to your DDEC level (I think you are DDEC III) you can plug in the reader and in plain English read what malfunction is causing the warning lights.

As I remember solving a similar situation I held down two shifter selection buttons simotanious and the code lights blinked their message.
Are you sure there is ample supply of water in the water resevoir and engine oil is not low.

Harry, The coolant level was fine.

I had a Trucking Co. Mech. plug in their DD reader and the computer showed no recent codes. That to me is strange unless my 'Com puter Dash' is acting up and giving me lights in error.

Thanks

Larry,

I had that same problem with my XL coach and it turned out to be the oil pressure sensor. But this did show up on the DDEC as "Low Sensor Voltage" and it was the same code manually reading it and then reading it with the DDEC reader.

But if your codes are clean, then I am at a loss as to why it is happening and I would have thought that the CC part and the Prevost engine part of the systems would not be integrated. But then again, I'm not surprised by anything CC does with respect to electronics and sensors.

Since mechanical problems never repair themselves unless you purchased that option for your coach, now is the time to figure out how to read the codes. This will happen again. When it does you need to be able to find out what is doing it. Some codes, specifically those related to low coolant, low oil pressure, high coolant and oil temperature will shut the coach down. You get the warning, and then a few seconds later the engine gets shut off. Not good.

Jon, I agree but, what would you suggest? I'm sitting in a Hay field having just had the DD read. If the problem is DD related it should have shown a code, it did not. Why Not? So in the absence of a code I have to believe the problem is maybe some other system like maybe, the computer dash?

Larry,

Did you get the right side power fixed? I sent you a reply on the post you made about no power since I had the same problem but it seems to have gotten lost; did not stay on the site for very long so not sure you had a chance to read it. I checked and it is still on your "power lost" post.

Larry,

I'm far from an expert on DDEC codes. However, I do know we can get intermittent codes due to sensor issues, ground problems, real problems, or just because the bus decides to play with your head.

But no matter the cause, they will in some cases shut the engine off. The DDEC does not have the ability to differentiate between a sensor that has failed or a real problem.

Now that I have sufficiently scared you and probably everyone else contemplating a coach here is some things you can do. First, see if you can find the magic trick to flashing your codes. I cannot believe that is not possible. Maybe some of the other CC owners can give you hints on things to try.

In the meantime scour ebay and keep looking to find a reader. With the software for your DDEC version it may cost you as much as $500, but with the reader you can actually monitor codes while driving. That is going to be the key to chasing down the intermittent codes because as you now know, if they are not in memory DD cannot help you.

A final thing you can do is turn your coach over to DD, along with your wallet and have them find the problem. With so many hundreds of connectors and potential failure points Dick Tracy would have a hard time sorting things out, so that solution could be very expensive and yet still not resolve the problem.

Keep in mind that there is a time to react and a time to monitor the situation. If your only warning is a check engine light (orange) it is telling you something will require attention. You can still drive the coach because it will not shut down, but there is something that has gone out of the parameters established by DDEC. If you get the stop engine light (red) you need to get to the side of the road immediately because in a very short period of time the engine will shut down. You can over-ride the shut down by using the over-ride switch if needed to get to a safe spot.

If anyone has your version of DDEC and is willing perhaps they can send it to you so you can hook it up and place it next to your seat while you drive. In that way when the check engine or stop engine lights come on you or your wife can read the problem.

Any POGGERs have a reader that can help Larry? Larry, I have DDEC III. If that works I can send you mine. I have an old reader and it needs a cigarette lighter to power it.

Jon, Thanks for the offer of the Reader, but I am going to try to get to the Seattle area this AM and I'll look for a Reader in that area. I'm in a small town on the Olympic Peninsula and HAVE to move today. I will nurse it that far and deal with there. All help from this area has been used.

I'm not sure if I understand you but, are you saying that intermittent codes will not leave a code?

Jerry, Don't know exactly what you mean about the CC application and setup. The only thing different should be the computer dash. DD info to lights or the computer dash should all be the same Info except the method of seeing said light. Am I missing something?