Dealership cant fix truck... what to do next?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by speedstickman, Sep 30, 2024.

  1. speedstickman

    speedstickman Light Load Member

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    Truck has red engine light on and is not drivable. Took it to 2 freightliner dealerships and they cant figure out what is wrong with it. It is now sitting in a third dealership being checked out, but im scared they might not be able to repair it either... what does one do in this situation? Do people just "throw away" their trucks? This is a 2018 cascadia with about 700k miles on it and it looks like its a computer issue... any input is greatly appreciated
     
    Flat Earth Trucker and Concorde Thank this.
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  3. Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    What did the other dealerships tell you? We're too stupid to figure this out? Go away, and leave us alone?
     
  4. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    The first rule of trucking- do not take your truck to a dealership after the warranty has expired
     
  5. speedstickman

    speedstickman Light Load Member

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    The first 2 times, we were able to drive the truck to the dealership before the red engine light came on. It was able to run for a bit after shutting down and sitting for couple of hours, so we managed to drive it to the dealership (with only the MIL light on). Both times the dealerships said they couldnt find the issue because there was no active code (even though the truck kept shutting down every 100-200 miles)

    Truck finally shut down for good and no amount of waiting would make it work again so had to get it towed to nearest dealership where it is currently at

    A
     
  6. speedstickman

    speedstickman Light Load Member

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    What do you do if you have a computer issue
     
  7. DUNE-T

    DUNE-T Road Train Member

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    I personally go to a local "computer" guy. If you are near Detroit I can give you his phone number.
    If you are on the road, you scan your codes , then Google them and/or ask questions on truckers forums and Facebook truckers groups. Dealership is the last resort
     
    77fib77 Thanks this.
  8. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    Is it similar to this, red engine light flashing or solid, or is it the red "stop" light that is on?
     
    Deere hunter, Numb and Lonesome Thank this.
  9. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Since it is a Freightshaker and probably has a Detroit engine, I would be taking it to a Detroit Diesel shop.
     
    OldeSkool, ducnut and Lonesome Thank this.
  10. FloridaRetired

    FloridaRetired Medium Load Member

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    If it is shut off and won't start, it could be a computer issue. It may mean a new computer or the harness or both.
    Your problem description won't get you much of a help here. Someone who knows about it has to look at it.
    The problem with those dealers is that their expertise level is not on par with their labor - hour charge.
     
    Lonesome and silverspur Thank this.
  11. speedstickman

    speedstickman Light Load Member

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    The last dealership told me it was a computer problem but couldnt pinpoint exactly what the issue was since there was no active code to troubleshoot
     
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