Relatively simple way to stop Opt-Idle?

**Dave 1960** · 05.16.2010

My company truck is an '06 Century with a detroit.

When I go into a customers office it will shut down. With the thermostat in the sleeper set it runs 1100 rpm for a while and then shuts off getting warmer in here until it finally cranks again.

Is there a fuse I can pull?

I've tried fast idle. I've tried setting trailer brakes but not tractor brakes.

If it would just plain idle I could sure sleep better.

**Ramblin' Redneck** · 05.16.2010

The company spec'd the truck with opt idle because fuel is expensive and they don't want you idling the truck unnecessarily. When you are out of the truck, shut it off. When I first started driving, the company I was driving for had it on their trucks...you get used to it while sleeping.

If you tamper with the truck and the company discovers it while it is in for service, you can kiss your job goodbye. If you have not yet completed your contracted time with that company, you will owe them for your CDL school and training.

**Swaps** · 05.16.2010

if you idle at low idle too long a lot of carbon will build up. That's why it has high idle. It runs at an rpm that makes sure it operates cleanly and doesn't build up gunk and crap that will hamper your engine.

**Dave 1960** · 05.16.2010

I'm trying to get used to it.
But I'm a light sleeper, and the cooler it is in the truck the better I sleep.

And a LOT of other trucks just idle.....

**FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY** · 05.17.2010

and setting the thermostat to celsius instead of fahrenheit will not make it colder in the truck. i got into a 10 minute arguement about this before i walked away..

**farmerleach** · 05.17.2010

Originally Posted by FYDA FREIGHTLINER CINCY

and setting the thermostat to celsius instead of fahrenheit will not make it colder in the truck. i got into a 10 minute arguement about this before i walked away..

**Kansas** · 05.18.2010

Originally Posted by Ramblin' Redneck

The company spec'd the truck with opt idle because fuel is expensive and they don't want you idling the truck unnecessarily. When you are out of the truck, shut it off. When I first started driving, the company I was driving for had it on their trucks...you get used to it while sleeping.

If you tamper with the truck and the company discovers it while it is in for service, you can kiss your job goodbye. If you have not yet completed your contracted time with that company, you will owe them for your CDL school and training.

Wow, you sound like a real company man...

**BrainHurtz** · 05.19.2010

Originally Posted by Kansas

Wow, you sound like a real company man...

The point is: a) drive your own truck or b) make sure they get you home every night or c) let you idle or d) give you an APU.

Anything else is putting your well-being (seriously 8 hours of restless sleep will not get you to the best driving condition the next day) on the line for their profit. Any company that spec's an idle timer, doesn't pay for motel rooms, and doesn't have trucks with APUs shouldn't be allowed to operate sleeper trucks. Its that simple.

That being said there are plenty of people on here that won't use an APU because of "The Man", which is a good way to get replaced.

**Dave 1960** · 05.19.2010

I sent another Qualcomm when I docked this ship this afternoon, so I'll see what they say. I've been harping on "all the states" with no idle laws as me needing an APU truck.

**CondoCruiser** · 05.19.2010

Originally Posted by Dave 1960

My company truck is an '06 Century with a detroit.

When I go into a customers office it will shut down. With the thermostat in the sleeper set it runs 1100 rpm for a while and then shuts off getting warmer in here until it finally cranks again.

Is there a fuse I can pull?

I've tried fast idle. I've tried setting trailer brakes but not tractor brakes.

If it would just plain idle I could sure sleep better.

It's an option in the ECM that can only be changed with the laptop hookup.

The only way to trick it is to bump the accellerator. My truck will even shut down at a red light if I idle more than 3 minutes. That being said, you could maybe put a weight on the accellerator. All you need is 800 rpm for safe idle.

Next time you are in a shop, you might get the mechanic to uncheck the high idle shutdown.