Brian - I used part of your original post to create this new topic (anyone can do this, BTW, just hover over "More" on the bottom right of a post and click "New Topic", change title, select proper board, clip quoted text....) Oh, and I see Brett fixed your coach year in the text so I've done so in the title
Thank you Michelle,
I will get a handle on this computer stuff one of these fine days???
Strange that nobody seems to have had this oil pressure issue as Mike Grimes, FT parts manager, seemed to say that it was an old problem??
Brian.
Brian - can you update your signature in your profile to show you now have a 2001 U320? The "1991" might confuse people when you ask questions, especially about a 400 h.p. Cummins ;)
Hi Michelle,
Lets see if that works??
Brian.
We have a 2001 with failed tach and volt meter. We were also told matching replacements are no longer available but MOT found replacements that will fit but not match the other instruments. Cost, with labor, about $350. No thanks.
Bought a Scangauge for $170, gave me the missing data and more.
While in Nac, Bernd Ramspecht (sp?) opined he could probably fix the gauges. No $ estimate.
Will probably upgrade to VMSPC as we expect additional gauges to eventually fail.
My air pressure gauges have quit working as has my voltage gauge. These all have some electronic things that send signals to (in our coach) the gray box which does something and drives the electronic gauges. No replacing the gray box (in late 2001 and for a few years after it is blue), no work around either so I replaced the air gauges as many have done with direct read mechanical ones. They are the only dash gauges not available on VMSpc which is my primary information center. I rarely look at the dash. Check the air once in a while.
Mike and Molly.....my air gauges failed, MOT did nice install of mechanicals, like a lot. Only thing is had to disconnect the chime alarm as it would almost always chime, thinking we had no air pressure.
Bernd did my resonator. Very very pleased, wish I had done earlier. Your coach would benefit as ours.
I have gotten the silver leaf, not gotten connected yet, got a Lenovo for monitor.
Give us a shout when you get down this way....need to plan a party.
Mike (Michael and Jackie)
My experience is that every original system needs to be rebuilt if possible for resale value.
For me I need the stuff to work to pass inspection. I am mechanical on air and volts now.
Morninghill, I'm with you. I always suspected my gauges were not reading correctly, bought a ScanGuage D ; confirmed my suspicions and never looked back. For less than $200 you get a lot of info and install is a snap.
Thanks Guys,
At least I know I am not alone with the gauge issue.
Mine started, although I didn't know it, with low oil pressure from the day I got it from FT 4yrs ago. In those days you could speak with the tech guys, and I was told that the Cummins always had low oil pressure, and that the chime as you came to a stop at a Red light was normal due to oil sloshing in the pan as you came to a stop??
Yes, they do run a bit lower than you might expect, but mine was always in the 22-25psi range.
I took it to the shop last week to have the steering box and linkage checked out (separate topic) and on the way home the pressure dropped to 15psi and off gauge zero when at idle!!! Back to the shop and get the computer connected to find that I actually had 36psi. That sure made me feel better!! At least. until I spoke to Mike Grimes at FT to find that this was a regular problem and no parts available?? Get another gauge and run wires all the way back to the sender, I was told???
An earlier problem, that is still there, is the RPM gauge that has the needle stuck at 2100. I goes all the way up and back when you apply the power, but never below 2100. Originally I could tap the gauge and get it to zero, but no more. Seems like a mechanical issue within the gauge that should be fixable once I find a repair shop?? My electronic hours reading still works fine.
As for getting another gauge and running wires I heard from Keith Woodward over in Spokane, and he tells me that the coaches were manufactured with extra wires in the loom so all you need is to find them and splice into them???
Meanwhile we will try and find an RPM gauge repair shop, and as the oil pressure gauge always underread try and find the part number and go hunting.
All good fun to keep me busy.
Brian.
I am thinking vmspc electronic dash, price has come way down
Brian,
Call Instrument Exchange for help diagnosing your situation. Good people that will give you correct info and won't sell you something you don't need.
They are a repair station for VDO and I think they do others too.
713/923/6104 or 800/945/GAGE
Pamela & Mike