Having widespread electrical problems with my truck and could use some insight. Truck is an 04 Freightliner Argosy with a Cat C-15. Several electric devices seem to be lacking the proper current to function properly. Examples: power windows struggle to go up and down both sides. Sometimes cut out altogether. Radio also struggles, turn the music up too loud and it dies altogether. Windshield wipers seem to run a little slow. Lights can be dim, both headlights and markers. 12V lighter-style sockets can barely power my cellphone charger, and when they do they'll dim dome lights. They do that as well when the truck is shut off and has no other electrical draw. Voltmeter shows normal readings, same as always, 14.2 with the truck running, 12 when truck is off. Engine runs fine, and no issues starting. Seems like the alternator is charging properly, and some of these things happen when the truck is off and the alternator is not running anyways. I've checked battery cable connections at the batteries and the starter, nothing seems loose. Not really sure what to check next.
Electrical Issues
Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by GTM, Sep 1, 2019.
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Sometimes when I start the truck it displays "ICU 140". This usually goes away right away. If I use the cruise control switch to retrieve engine codes, it shows 55 (which is "no codes")
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What's your voltage availability to the accessories inside the cab? IE what's the voltage at your power windows when you're operating them?
Almost willing to bet you've got a cab ground issue.HopeOverMope Thanks this. -
Thanks AModelCat... I haven't tested voltage at the power windows, I assume I'd have to take the door apart to get at the motor. Can I test at the switches? They're a whole lot easier to pop out
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Not sure. Never looked inside an Argosy before. Key thing is you need to check the voltage with the circuit loaded up (by using the accessory). The fact you have multiple cab accessories that are weak lead me to believe you've either got a power supply issue to the offending accessories or a poor cab ground.
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I had a 2006 Century. The in Cab accessories went wonky, found a loose ground wire from the cab to the chassis.
HopeOverMope and Rideandrepair Thank this. -
Clean both positive and negative side power. Clean all battery post terminals, battery negative to chassis (or from starter to chassis), chassis to engine, all bulkhead ground ring terminals, and any other ground you might find. Positive as well, clean battery terminals, battery positive to starter, and battery (or starter) positive to the cab.
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Don’t forget to check and clean cables to alternated also. Most likely what uncleal13 said, cab to chassis ground.
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Echoing the others... My money says you have a loose or corroded connection, or a ground strap that is broken or missing. The common thing with all of these items is the cab ground. A quick way to troubleshoot if it is a ground issue: get some jumper cables and ground the cab to the frame (bare metal to bare metal) and see if the power increases to the electrics. If it does, you know where to go.
I'd definitely put some scrutiny on all of the ground connections between the cab, engine, batteries and frame. Don't just look at them; take them apart, clean them up with a wire brush and some brake cleaner before putting them back together. -
On my 84 Mack a small ground wire on the starter broke and lost all power to cab
HopeOverMope Thanks this.
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