Freightliner Columbia Elecrical Problems

On the 04 Columbia, the instrument cluster is driven by the J1587 datalink. J1939 is present between active components (Eng/Trans/ABS etc). "Shift Indicator" implies you are either running an Eaton Autoshift or Meritor Sureshift tranny. Loss of data to the ICU will cause the tach,speedo to drop out but it will NOT cause the lights/buzzers to cycle. This sounds like the POST program for bulb check at key on indicating a loss of ign power to the cluster. The ign key switch controls 2 relays in the main fuse panel via circuits 52B and 52D (Ign and Accessary). These relays are easily identified because they hang by a small bracket on the front of the panel. There is a 3-pin black connector in the wiring in the panel near the "hang on" relays that I would investigate for pin tension/corrosion but most likely the relays themselves may be at fault. Be careful removing the bracket while removing/installing. Distorting this relay is easy and can adversely effect function. Without being able to troubleshoot this truck, I would look closely to these relays. (16th year Elec Tech, DTNA (Freightliner)Cleveland NC Truck Manufacturing Plant

 

Not in Freightliner only)

they generally use J1587 datalink in dashboards. But there are unusual trucks, like Cascadia, DAF XF105, Actros, they use CAN with instrumental cluster.

There are trucks w/o J1587 datalink, in Europe many trucks have KWP for diagnostics. But for example, Russian KAMAZ got no J1587, J1939 used only, so no two pins on 9-pin deutch connector.

 

Pablo, you are correct on the units you mentioned, but the truck in question a 2004 Columbia. No CAN datalink on this model, and the optional J1939 was only used on trucks equipped with automated transmissions or when the ABS units were equipped with ATC. The information I provided was specific to this model year and engine configuration. The Cascadia you mentioned also uses a Central Gateway that translates the different baud rate datalinks so the information can be shared by all components. Most switches on these units are digitally addressed instead of the loads actually being hardwired. As far as the Russian trucks, they probably do not abide by the data protocols established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) who standardized these back in the OBD days, but trucks manufactured for NAFTA countries abide by the SAE protocols.

 

i have a 2001 columbia freightliner has electrical short from fuse box to insturment panel fuse. no one can find this can someone help with this question. thanks

 

WOW. The VIH is likely junk. VIH (vehicle interface harness) runs from the firewall to the rear connector on the ECM. I'm not sure about the BPDS (I don't know what that is.....it's never come up in the dealership I work for) but I doubt that's the problem. Remove the loom from the harness that feeds the rear connector on the ECM. If you see ANY problems, replace the harness (don't patch it...it's likely worse in places you can't see).

 

my wipers, heater fan,am fm radio and cb power will cut out.when it does it generally returns within a min.then there are times i have to get into the fuse panel.there is a 30amp fuse for my tank heater which was blown out replaced and problem with power to the wipers etc was taken care of until the other day.lost power again to the wipers etc. i got into fuse panel to check the 30amp fuse started to pull it and i got power back.would the power supply to fuse be common to the wipers etc.if so how do i get into the panel to chk the connections to the panel.i also changed cruise switch and still no power to the set side of it. the resume side works .could it be related to the other problem.its a 07 columbia

 

i have an 07 and my problemwas in the hot leads feeding the panel.on mine they were on the right side of panel and attached by a stud and lock nut.from front to rear they were hot neg hot hot.the first hot lead was not torqued to specs and after taking apart and cleaning then retorque the problem seems to be fixed