2002 U295 36' I'm installing an electronic trailer brake controller in the coach and was able to find the extra wires loom inside the dash, nice! I was searching around for the retarder brake light relay. I would like to delete the brake lights being applied with the retarder. Or install toggle switch for them. Any suggestions on this would be appreciated. I spotted these 3 rocker switches mounted in a panel in the upper left corner of the dash. Does anyone know what these are for? They have no labels. Thanks, Jim.
Lots of info on the forum. Those are momentary switches so you can read codes from the Allison Transmission and and Cummins ECUs when you have a check engine lights, etc.
There's also one near the middle of the dash whose purpose is the momentary ground needed for the Javalina tank monitor calibration (not a fun task since you have to empty, calibrate, then fill and calibrate all 3 tanks at the same time)
Curious what these switches are for under the dash... (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=36576.0)
Three switches under dash cover? (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=33003.0)
Unknown Under Dash Switches (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=25417)
Hidden (Secret) Switches (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=27363)
My retarder brake light relay was behind a carpeted small panel in front of the brake pedal on the floor on my 2000 U320
Michelle and Keith, thank you for the info. Jim.
Thanks for the picture, I will add a switch to the trigger wire to that relay in the future. I would like options on different situations rather than just not coming on.
It's kind of funny, we all have such differences of opinion... I think the brake lights coming on with the retarder is one of the best safety idea's someone came up with !
Having driven truck many years I really appreciate brake lights.. The retarder on my coach really slows the coach up... a loaded truck driver behind me would really cuss, and would have a tough time out stopping me ... the flashing brake lights gives other drivers a opportunity to take defensive action
That is just my opinion, combined with a lot of hiway miles !!
Safe Travels
Dave
That's why I want a switch for options. Most of the time I want the lights to come on with the retarder, but on a 5 mile down grade like Sherman grade coming into Bishop I would want it off as to control speed on the grade the brakes must be used every so often to bring the rpm's down. I want something that shows the stopping has increased from the downhill traveling speed.
The brake lights don't flash when activated by the retarder they stay on, while on they activate the electric trailer brakes too which isn't good for the trailer brakes.
That's a good idea craneman if I knew which wire was the trigger
Dave , you are absolutely correct about the safety aspect. I had planned on using a switch on the relay ground wire but this will require more driving attention on my part. The retarder activating the brake lights is a great safety feature but under some circumstances using the cruise control and trailer brakes becomes an issue. Maybe an opportunity for a engineer to come up with a solution. If that retarder didn't work so well it wouldn't be such an issue. Only activate brake lights on position 5-6? Craneman I would think using the trigger or ground wire on that relay would work fine, ground may be easier to find. Jim.
The ground wire would be much easier to find. I was trying to avoid taking the panel off beside the drivers seat to trace a wire on a switch that might not even be in that location.