Bypassing idle shut down?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by zaroba, Feb 25, 2017.

  1. zaroba

    zaroba Heavy Load Member

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    OK, my APU quit on me. Pretty sure it's the starter. My bunk heater won't run without the APU running. Thermoking isn't open on the weekends. But there is one located close to my delivery point on Monday morning so will be getting it fixed after delivering.

    It is in the mid 20s in Indiana right now and the truck won't idle unless it is below 20.

    I drive a 2015 Kenworth t680 and need a way to keep it idling.
    It will only idle 5 mins if the tractor brake is set. Bumping the cruise up to 900 rpm won't keep it idling.
    Releasing the tractor brakes will let it idle 15 mins. Wedging the pedal down to put my RPM at 1300 won't stop it from shutting down after 15 mins.
    It's an automatic and even if I put it drive and let it idle it will still shut down after 15 mins.
    I can hit the throttle to keep it idling when it starts to shut down, but this needs to be done every 5 or 15 mins.

    Anybody have any other ideas?


    I'm half tempted to remove the drivers side mirror and cut the wires to the temperature sensor which is sticking out of the casing to see if that works. Can't get to it from under the hood and can't get to it by removing the instrument cluster.

    It's a leased truck, not a company truck, and I do plan to have a word with leasing on Monday about why leasers can't idle since we are paying for the fuel and maintenance.

    And it's a certified clean idle, so those "no idling diesel powered vehicles over 5 tons" laws don't apply to it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 25, 2017
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  3. albert l

    albert l Road Train Member

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    Get a Motel room ?
     
    MartinFromBC Thanks this.
  4. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Set a brick on the accelerator pedal...

    Maybe you'll get lucky and the temperature will drop ...
     
    Rubber duck kw Thanks this.
  5. zaroba

    zaroba Heavy Load Member

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    I'd rather avoid that if possible. I have a stop in a town 10 miles away tomorrow morning (currently at a rest area) and the 2 hotels in the town don't have space for a semi so cab cost would be added to the hotel cost. No truck stops in the town either.

    Tomarrow night I might be able to do that though. Greater distance to the Monday delivery will allow better chance of having a hotel near a truck stop.
     
  6. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    It is pretty clear that the ECM program is specifically designed to thwart all of your efforts. The only way at this point is to let a technician with the password change the parameters, which doesn't help you one bit. Good luck.
     
  7. Shock Therapy

    Shock Therapy Road Train Member

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    If it will idle at warmer temps see if you can get a couple of them hand warmer packets and tape em to the sensor.
     
  8. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    Maybe if you dunk the temp sensor in a 32 oz container of ice water it will fool it...
     
    rabbiporkchop and Shock Therapy Thank this.
  9. milehunter43

    milehunter43 Heavy Load Member

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    Either of these two things, or ziptie a heating pad to the sensor.
     
    rabbiporkchop and Shock Therapy Thank this.
  10. zaroba

    zaroba Heavy Load Member

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    Hmm...can the ecm be disabled via pulling a fuse without negative side effects to the engine while idling or will it just not run at all?

    (May seem like a dumb question, but that knowledge is beyond my engine expertise)
     
  11. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    I would not mess with the fundamentals of the tractor. If needed call the 24 hour service line. If it is a Penske or Ryder truck they should take care of the APU problem. One of their techs would be able to change the ECM to accommodate the situation if they can't repair the APU.
     
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