Electrical Gremlins
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Electrical Gremlins
I use a Dashboss Blue OBDII monitor connected to my iPad to monitor 12 gauges while I am towing. Last weekend I lost readings on 6 of the parameters I was monitoring.
The parameters I was following are:
Trans Temp - still working
Eng Oil temp - quit working
Eng Coolant - still working
Ficm Main Volts- quit working
FICM Logic Volts- quit working
HPOP Psi- quit working
Cmd Gear- still working
TCC Ratio- still working
Boost- quit working
ECU/Batt V- still working
RPM- still working
VGT%- quit working
Before I lost these parameters, the Dashboss was replaced from the original version to this Blue version due to loss of communication with the truck. Dashboss suggested the new version as they stopped support of the original a few years ago. The new Blue version worked fine but would intermittently lose a parameter for a few seconds then regain the reading. I thought this might be a glitch in the new Blue gateway.
I connected my AutoEnginuity to the truck tonight and drove it around a bit. I pulled up most of the parameters above that had quit working with Dashboss. At first they were all working, but as I drove around with the graph running I noticed that the VGT% would drop to zero then come back, and the EOT would go to 300 F and stay there (my EOT guage was reading 150 F at the time).
My first thought is that I have a chafing problem somewhere but I have no idea where to start looking.
Anybody have any ideas?
The parameters I was following are:
Trans Temp - still working
Eng Oil temp - quit working
Eng Coolant - still working
Ficm Main Volts- quit working
FICM Logic Volts- quit working
HPOP Psi- quit working
Cmd Gear- still working
TCC Ratio- still working
Boost- quit working
ECU/Batt V- still working
RPM- still working
VGT%- quit working
Before I lost these parameters, the Dashboss was replaced from the original version to this Blue version due to loss of communication with the truck. Dashboss suggested the new version as they stopped support of the original a few years ago. The new Blue version worked fine but would intermittently lose a parameter for a few seconds then regain the reading. I thought this might be a glitch in the new Blue gateway.
I connected my AutoEnginuity to the truck tonight and drove it around a bit. I pulled up most of the parameters above that had quit working with Dashboss. At first they were all working, but as I drove around with the graph running I noticed that the VGT% would drop to zero then come back, and the EOT would go to 300 F and stay there (my EOT guage was reading 150 F at the time).
My first thought is that I have a chafing problem somewhere but I have no idea where to start looking.
Anybody have any ideas?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Stand at the driver side fender and look down between the ABS pump and firewall.
You will see all the cables that go to the engine. I would disconnect each one and
clean with some electric contact cleaner. Then see if the issue goes away. Later you
can add some dielectric grease to the connectors to exclude water and coolant.
But start by just cleaning them up.
Then we need to find out why the truck is puking. How full are you filling the Degas?
You should when cold be a tad below the low mark on the tank. Any more than that
and even trucks without problems will spew. The other thing is a bad cap. If the cap
is older you may want to replace it. That or put it on a cap tester and see if it holds.
BTW how do you like the Fox shocks in the rear? I need to get something in the
rear of my truck as it is getting that time.
You will see all the cables that go to the engine. I would disconnect each one and
clean with some electric contact cleaner. Then see if the issue goes away. Later you
can add some dielectric grease to the connectors to exclude water and coolant.
But start by just cleaning them up.
Then we need to find out why the truck is puking. How full are you filling the Degas?
You should when cold be a tad below the low mark on the tank. Any more than that
and even trucks without problems will spew. The other thing is a bad cap. If the cap
is older you may want to replace it. That or put it on a cap tester and see if it holds.
BTW how do you like the Fox shocks in the rear? I need to get something in the
rear of my truck as it is getting that time.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Fox Shocks are great although they are about 4 years old and ready for a refresh. Truck was studded 9 years and 150,000 km ago. I am pretty sure that the head gaskets have let go again.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
So back to the electrical issue.
How full are you filling the degas tank?
I would give each plug a good wash with the electrical contact cleaner.
Most auto stores have the stuff. Just disconnect the plug and spray down each side.
Sometime just the fact that you separate the plug is enough to move the crud away
for a short time. That would be my first step. Also spray out the back of the plugs
as coolant could pool in the back and leak in if the seals are not good.
If you need me to I can post a photo of the plugs I am talking about.
How full are you filling the degas tank?
I would give each plug a good wash with the electrical contact cleaner.
Most auto stores have the stuff. Just disconnect the plug and spray down each side.
Sometime just the fact that you separate the plug is enough to move the crud away
for a short time. That would be my first step. Also spray out the back of the plugs
as coolant could pool in the back and leak in if the seals are not good.
If you need me to I can post a photo of the plugs I am talking about.
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