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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: pedalman on December 03, 2011, 11:00:33 pm

Title: How to check fault codes?
Post by: pedalman on December 03, 2011, 11:00:33 pm
In some of the post, individuals have said that they check their fault codes. Is there a device that can be purchased for fault code analysis. If so, does anyone know of a retailer and cost?

                                            Thanks,
                                                Josh                                               

     
                                                       

Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Michelle on December 03, 2011, 11:15:11 pm
In some of the post, individuals have said that they check their fault codes. Is there a device that can be purchased for fault code analysis. If so, does anyone know of a retailer and cost?     
                                                     

Josh,

There's a rudimentary means, using switches beneath the dash of your coach

Cummins ISM Engine Codes - Pre 2002 (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/cummins_ism_engine_codes-pre_2002.html)

ABS Troubleshooting (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/retrieving_abs_troubleshooting_codes.html)

One switch with allow blink codes to be read for the ABS system, the other for the engine (assuming those warning lights are light, indicating a code).

Many of us use some form of Silverleaf product.  SilverLeaf Electronics, Inc. | Knowledge is Horsepower (http://www.silverleafelectronics.com/) VMSpc is the most common - it's "free" software and you buy the data cable and connect to a computer.  You can buy from Silverleaf directly or (slightly cheaper) from Silverleaf VMSPC Engine Monitoring on Your Laptop (http://www.rvupgradestore.com/SilverLeaf-VMSPC-p/vmspc.htm) ($306) .  A number of folks use laptops so they can monitor the Silverleaf info while driving as well, and in our coach we use a built-in netbox and touch-screen display.

Michelle
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: rbark on December 03, 2011, 11:25:38 pm
Michelle, are you saying that I can use the VMSpc to read and check falt codes for the ABS  on my coach?
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Michelle on December 03, 2011, 11:36:24 pm
Michelle, are you saying that I can use the VMSpc to read and check falt codes for the ABS  on my coach?

I don't think you can get anything as detailed as the Wabco diagnostic software like FOT has, but Steve and both vaguely recall seeing something show up once in either the history or some other are of VMSpc (there are a couple of ABS PIDs in there).  Since the VMSpc uses the same data port as the Wabco diagnostics you'd have to ask Martin at Silverleaf what ABS data they can "sniff" and process.  I don't know if it would be anything more detailed than what you can get from the blink codes.

The engine/transmission data is another story - that's where VMSpc really shows its stuff (besides reporting the error codes more easily than you can get by counting blinking lights).

-M
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: pedalman on December 04, 2011, 02:12:03 pm
Michelle,

    Thank you for all the info. I will call Silverleaf about the software. Will fill you in on how it goes. Also, do you know if it is MAC compatible?

                                  Thanks,
                                      Josh
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Dave Katsuki on December 05, 2011, 12:10:26 am
VMSpc runs only on PCs as far as I know, but if you have  an Intel Mac, you can run something like VMWare Fusion, or boot into PC mode running XP.  If you had to buy a copy of XP or Win 7, might be almost as cheap to get a netbook and dedicate it to running VMSpc.
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on December 05, 2011, 03:31:28 am
Gee, I must be missing something here, I have no clue as to location of these two switches in the photo,  Appears it must be for the older dash 2000 and prior, I have the 2001 with the newer style dash, so the question is: Where are these simple test / reset switches on the newer units ?
Do I need to remove the back of the dash cover to get to them ?
Never had an issue YET with the ABS.
Thanks
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Barry Beam on December 05, 2011, 07:45:38 am
Gee, I must be missing something here, I have no clue as to location of these two switches in the photo,  Appears it must be for the older dash 2000 and prior, I have the 2001 with the newer style dash, so the question is: Where are these simple test / reset switches on the newer units ?
Do I need to remove the back of the dash cover to get to them ?
Never had an issue YET with the ABS.
Thanks

If you remove the rounded dash cover, they are located all the way in the back on the left hand side toward the top.
ABS Troubleshooting (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/retrieving_abs_troubleshooting_codes.html)
Title: Re: How to check fault codes?
Post by: Al Miller on December 05, 2011, 08:00:14 pm
Good work Barry all is well
Al /Lynn