Tripac apu alt code no start

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by D.Tibbitt, Oct 24, 2022.

  1. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    All power is good. Fuses are good . main fuse is good. I am going to check and clean grounds tomorrow
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    You’ve checked voltage at those locations as the unit tries to start?
     
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  4. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    As it tries to start no, just stationary. And have power everywhere its supposed to be.. Where should i be taking voltage readings on the board as it starts? What voltage should i be seeing
     
  5. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Does it trip the breaker before it starts?
    I’d start with the main power to the mother board. If your batteries and wiring are good, then I would want to see no less than 12 volts as it is in the start up cycle.
     
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  6. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    I dont know about the breaker... It gets all the way until its about to activate the starter then the control panel throws a alt code...i dont know enough about these systems.. Its seems overly complicated for being an engine that cycles coolant and runs an ac and heater..

    where am i testing for voltage on the board ? Is there a certain fuse or test prong i should be testing?
     
  7. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    It’ll be a large lug with about a 6ga wire going to it. If it’s throwing the alt code, then I think it should be tripping the breaker. The breaker is a small button on the side of the box that the motherboard is in.
     
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  8. Phoenix Heavy Haul

    Phoenix Heavy Haul Medium Load Member

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    Mine was doing the same thing. All my research pointed directly to a ground issue, could be at APU, mother board inside bunk or batteries, I just checked them all and found my battery cables to be issue.
    My grounds had wiggled loose, snugged everything up, it started and has been running fine ever since.
     
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  9. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Well i didnt get alot of time to work on this today, but i checked voltages while starting.. And definatly dropping from 12.5 to 11.8 as it tries to kick the starter on... Then throws alt code.... I started at batteries.. No voltage drop there.. So ive traced it back to the alternator and dropping voltage there... But the power cable goes to the starter before it gets to the alternator and that cable on the starter is so frickin corroded i think thats where im dropping the power at... Gotta take some parts off to access that bolt... I will work on it tomorrow and see if i can get it fixed... Also cleaned up the grounds while i was at it... Will post back tmrw with an update
     
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  10. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    You should have a large fuse in the battery box,make sure it’s clean and tight.
     
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  11. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Thanks for reminding me. I forgot to check that. I should start there before i tear everything out to get to the starter
     
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