Freightliner Cabover Wiring & Fuse/Relay issues

Discussion in 'Freightliner Forum' started by ludwigvann337, Jun 29, 2024.

  1. ludwigvann337

    ludwigvann337 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2024
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    I have a 1996 Freightliner Cabover with several issues I’m trying to troubleshoot.

    VIN: 1FUPBSYBOTL672131
    3406 5EK Cat

    1. Can’t believe how little information is available on these trucks online. When running the VIN, it says model is High COE but doesn’t give actual model. I believe, reading through history, it’s a 1996 FLB, which there is even less info for. Any info or leads to better info appreciated.

    2. I am replacing headlights and can’t figure out wiring issue. With adapters and testing, I figured out right side. It has outside light at dim and both on at high side.
    Driver dim was working, but after wiring inside light every which way, neither work on driver side when key cut on. Dim driver does work when key off, along with both passenger lights.

    3. The relays and circuits panel under doghouse is a cluster to say the least. Apparently a shop got ahold of it a few years back and did a number on it. The plastic piece that tells what each does, I believe to be laid in upside down, but am not sure about anything. Can’t find any diagrams. Any help or direction would be appreciated.
    I have put a voltage tester on all the hookups and am getting appropriate levels to all lines, but not sure if that’s how to test the (not fuses but circuits?)

    Several others issues I might address if anyone in here can help with these issues to start! Thank you for taking a look
     
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  3. ludwigvann337

    ludwigvann337 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2024
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    Update: this afternoon I was trying to show someone the issue, and none of the lights work except the orange blinker lights in each bezel do come on.

    This makes me think I have them wired incorrectly, but I also think there’s a short somewhere along the line (which will be a doozy to find).
     
  4. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Example on model designation. FLB 8664. FL = Frieghtliner. B= second generation cabover since they broke away from White. FLA was first. Anything built by White would be WFLA,B,C etc. 86= 86” Bbc. 64= 6x4 or aka tandem drive.
     
  5. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    This is what I do with situations like yours. Have one battery loose on a hand dolly and with jumper wires and test light. Start at the light and work back to the switches. Check every head light for high/low beam. Every marker, park, light separate to make sure bulbs are lighting up and their immediate grounds are solid. Then move back to the next point and so on until you find the break or bad part. I have done it this way so many times with old stuff that it has saved me tons of time from just changing parts that turn out to still be good. Those models have fiberglass body panels riveted to aluminum panels and the grounds most likely have become corroded. The cabs would ground pretty good thru the cab hinges back when they were all aluminum on the ‘78-‘83 FLA’s. The ‘84 on up FLB’s got the rectangle headlight pods that were fiberglass buckets. They need extra grounds.
     
  6. ludwigvann337

    ludwigvann337 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2024
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    That’s all incredibly helpful information, and a good reminder to do what I knew I should’ve done to begin with!
    This was going to be an update to better, and like a dummy, just assumed plug and play haha.
    Thank You!
     
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