387 Electrical Issues

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by walkerrapidtransport, Mar 3, 2015.

  1. walkerrapidtransport

    walkerrapidtransport Bobtail Member

    25
    2
    Apr 8, 2014
    Jacksonville, FL
    0
    I was driving along on a pretty rough road in Colorado, it's about 30 out. I look down and my dash is completely dark, as well as cruise, jake, ac, passenger headlight all do not work either. I know that something is loose or came a loose.... Just wondering where to start?! I changed a lot of the fuses especially the one for the dash, made sure all relays were in properly. The lights come back on and off randomly. Also my volt meter is past the red and the light is on. It's never done this before. I pull over and turn the truck off then restart it. The lights works till I put the high idle on. The high idle will run for a couple minutes then the dark will black out. I've read a lot of the other guys with electrical issues but couldn't really find one for this situation. 1 warning light for the abs also.

    2011 peterbilt 387 automatic
     
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  3. maggard359

    maggard359 Medium Load Member

    476
    412
    Nov 20, 2013
    Florida
    0
    Sounds like a ground losing contact. Check and clean all grounds on batteries, frame, engine, and cab. If you have help, have them watch lights while you wiggle wires.
     
  4. boneebone

    boneebone Road Train Member

    2,231
    2,262
    Mar 13, 2009
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    If the Fuses are good, changing them will not solve the problem, you have a loose ground wire or wires that are chafing on each other or something. You will need to clean and tighten all connections, especially at the Engine, Batteries, Starter, Frame Rails, check the Grommets where wires pass through to the inside of the Cab, they may be worn.
     
  5. Skate-Board

    Skate-Board Road Train Member

    3,801
    3,994
    Aug 9, 2014
    Merrimack, NH
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    Yes, I agree. Start wiggling wires. Doubt if it's a ground. There are a million grounds on a truck. It's not like everything goes to one ground. The whole truck is a ground.

    Most everything you describe is controlled by the computer. Not sure where yours is but probably behind main dash panel. I'm not talking about the ECM. I would start there.
     
  6. walkerrapidtransport

    walkerrapidtransport Bobtail Member

    25
    2
    Apr 8, 2014
    Jacksonville, FL
    0
    Drove the truck for about another 6 hours. The volt charge meter went to red and stayed there. Stopped at a Loves and all I could smell was smoke, open the battery box and one of the batteries was smoking. Soon as you put your foot on the gas the volt meter shot up. So I took it to Loves to test the batteries and alternator. Ended up being the alternator. About two week ago I was heavy and pulling lots of hills, after that I heard a clucking sound initially I thought it was the turbo. The sound was really pronounced in the front and from the driver side under the cab. Come to find out theres a small fan u guess on the alternator and it broke. So that was the clicking.

    The cause of the the short though was thenpassanger headlight wire rubbing against the frame eventually broke thru and shorted the system when it would touch the frame. Fixed the wire but still had the problem with the dash. Replaced the alternator now she runs like a champ again!
     
    HopeOverMope Thanks this.
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