basic diesel mechanics for dummies?

where I work for is not like that. I am actually expected to do most minor repairs myself. if it is something I cannot do myself, I need to be able to explain to the shop mechanic what is wrong and what I need him to fix. and I have to be able to use the proper terms, verbiage, and reasoning to get it done, because I'm not just new, I'm a "chic who dont know nuttin."

 

yes, and I get told not to worry about when I ask about the smells and sounds, or that my truck currently fails a pretrip. the truck I'm assigned, some of the gauges dont work. the computer system sends warning sensors, up untill the latest warning of "can not communicate with vmack". I'm told to ignore the warning lights and sensors. ("that could be anything, dont worry about it" and will not even look at the truck) unless I can figure out the basics, I have nothing to argue to get the repairs needed to keep the truck running at best performance it can do. make sense?

 

exactly tankergirl! I think we only have one truck that will legally pass a dot. and the one I'm assigned is Not it, lol. I need to be able to make a logical, reasonable, sound argument to get something repaired. and most cases, have to be able to do the repair myself. (way it was put to me, I'm to do anything that doesnt require major strength and air/impact wrenches. only cause I'm a girl and only weight 110lbs wearing full winter gear and soaking wet. have been told in the last month, one of the underboss people would like to see it go back to old days, when drivers did All their own work and repairs, including changing tires. if they do, I'll be forced to quit, I not strong enough to break down the tires.)

example, not my truck, but another driver: replaced one radiator hose, just one. he broke down day later, blew another radiator hose (gee, really?). sure enough, 2 days later, he broke down again, the third hose blew out. (ok, I'm a girl and I know when you replace one hose or belt, replace them all. but the cheap 'get by' attitude of the person in charge of parts; it runs for now, worry and fix only if it breaks down. if truck started and running, get to work! there is no preventive, unless done by the driver him/herself, and have to have darn good reason to be requesting parts.)
using that expample, unless I can give sound agruement of why need to replace all hoses, I dont know, something about pressure thru new to much for old and worn, but I dont know enough to argue. make sense? I cannot get them to order all so I can change them out. yes that driver did change out the hoses himself, but he had to go thru the supply person to get them.

yes I know, bad place to work, but had to start somewhere.

 

thanks, I'll check it out!

 

How important is:
"SAE J1708/1587 BUS INACTIVE
NO COMMUNICATION WITH VMACK" ???

That one sounds very important to me, but i cant get anyone to even look at it, did not find it in the vmack code book i found? If you know what that might be, please tell me how to fix, or what to argue to get it fixed.

 

constant, goes off repeatedly thru out the day. was told to just shut off the dash computer screen and ignore it. screen will turn itself back on repeatedly and flash that message (press enter to make it stop being distraction and go away, and it comes up again hour or less, sometimes minutes, later)
from what I could find in the book, it means the comp isnt connecting to engine sensors, yes, but cant find if that means the "panic" engine shut down precaution sensors are still working. that is the part that is worrying me. I am new and daft, don't want to tear the equipment up, ya know? the "shut down" is for a reason, lol. I cant find if those sensors are separate from the vmac computer thing issue or not?
this is why I asking for book ideas. if I can figure out the basic parts, where to chase wires, and trouble shoot, should be able to figure out for sure what's not a big deal. I'd almost bet is a wiring problem, I just have no clue where to begin looking.
the wording of the message made me think of fuse or relay? but I didnt see a fuse bad, and I never did understand how to chase a "relay" or wiring.

(when I asked about 'does the shut down sensors still work, I'm not finding it in the book', I was advised to get some black tape, piece of paper, and covering the computer screen. didnt really answer my question.)