Dealing with bad breakdowns (p2)

Absolutely! I obtained both, the ABS module and ABS harness. I live in Tampa Florida, so I called the Peterbilt nearest me and he stated the same thing Peterbilt in Houston stated. The harness has to be made because it is VIN number specific, and the module has to be preset for my truck. Has to be made as well.

 

Come on now, you gotta go national with these phone calls. There’s such thing as overnight shipping n stuff you know. The abs module (ECM) is probably a Bendix or a Meritor/Wabco. In my experiences yes they are preset from the factory for the number of sensors and modulators you have. Remember, there’s a lot of LAZY people who “help” service this industry and don’t want to lift a finger more than they have to, many don’t want to be problem solvers. Different dealers are in different networks and have access to different inventory. Friend of mine found a internal cab oem harness in Queens, NY after calling 10’s of 20’s of dealers just to get the “no” answer. Well he called the right one who saw queens had it in stock. He called queens and they overnighted it down south. You may get nothing but at least u know u tried for real.

So anyway, you got the part number for the computer, now you gotta figure out the sensor and modulator combination (4s, 4m | 6s, 6m etc) s stands for sensor, m stands for modulator. THIS part is preprogrammed. So it’s important to get the right one or you will always have a fault code from the computer reading sensors that aren’t there. Once you get your sensor and modulator count, call the manufacturer, be it wabco or meritor and plug away (that is if you can’t source it locally 1st) This may take several phone calls and some phone tag. This is how I got a 6 s 4 m computer when I was told a few times the computer was not made anymore. They had one on the shelf in Cincinnati and my parts distributor placed the order and got me a pretty fair price considering what they said the retail price was.

As far as your abs harness that a tough one. New harness can be built DIY if your plugs are still good or you can get new plug ends. Then the rest is twisting wire with a drill. But if you gotta wait a couple months anyway, then it might be worth a shot. But make sure to use no butt connectors/ crimp connectors. The abs works off low voltage and the crimp connectors can cause voltage drops and throw codes. Everything must be soldered!

Still think the power source to the ECM needs to be checked better or replaced. But your at a dealer so chance are they won’t splice into your oem harness. Because if you run new power wire to your ECM you have to find the power supply pin on the ECM plug and cut wire about 6 inch’s below and solder in new power wire. I know someone with the same 12’ Pete 587 who had these same codes, j1939, datalink, abs and all that. His power wire was completely corroded. Problem fixed. Only difference was his symptoms, his got to the point the truck would crank but not start, fuel lift pump wouldn’t engage either.

 

MY LORD!!!! I should just bring the truck to you.

 

I’m just passing some info down. I’m not sure how long you’ve been doing this. But I learned quickly, dealerships are (barley) good for parts and not much more, USE THEM SPARINGLY if possible. This means learning, getting tools, talking to elders of this business learning the difference between a drag link and a starter circuit. Because every dollar you get to save yourself by doing things yourself, EVEN if it’s just diagnosing, makes your business and yourself just a little more stronger and self sufficient. We too got our start at LS. I Was 23, my wife was 21, and was mechanically NOT inclined at all. But as the repairs started rolling in, one thing I did know was, It didn’t make much business sense to outsource every little repair job, and it was starting to make sense to not let dealers diagnose the big problems or even up charge me on parts. Especially true when over the road and not at home in your local network of people who know your name and face.

Keep plugging away, knowing your putting in a 110% effort. Keep learning the terms, and phrases so people can’t talk circles around you. Your on here, that’s a good start, gathering info and Intell can really help a situation or give you enough spark to go by. Many times I’ve come here and to others for help. So I’m just passing down the little I know when posts like this come up I might have similar experience in.

 

Yeah, in total I've only been driving 4 years with 2 of those years o/o. Started Landstar last January. So it's clear to say I'm still a newbie. I do thank you 1000x times for such helpful information.

 

I’m sure the harness is vin specific but not for just one vin number of one truck.
It is more likely that it is specific to a run of vin numbers for many trucks.
Think of factory production trying to build trucks quickly but having to hand build abs harnesses specific to each truck rolling down the line.
I’m not buying that one.
As far as the abs module it should be able to be programmed to what ever configuration is required by the dealer upon installation.

 

I have an 89 that started life as a logging truck. It has a factory installed valve behind the bumper to shut the air supply to the steer axle brakes.

 

Thanks for the help or information. Paccar needs to up their production game. As of now it's been 10 days since Peterbilt notified me that the parts were on backorder with Paccar.

 

Have you sat down and figured your total loss of revenue while the truck was in the shop?

 

I'd say about $6,700 so far. The truck has been down since the 1st of Oct. Total estimated repair cost including parts and labor is $4,813.