Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) How best to be prepared for engine electronics/electrical diagnosis

[Gordon Maney]

Given the great complexity of our truck’s computer and electronic controls, diagnosis becomes very difficult, particularly if you don’t have test equipment.

Under such circumstances, is it possible to try to prepare for long term, high mileage ownership and operation? Are there certain parts that would seem to warrant being owned just to use for substitution in testing? Because I felt I would not be qualified to diagnose, I took my truck to a large Cummins dealership and would like to believe that they are as qualified as anyone to do this work.

I have many years of experience as a mechanic and vocational automotive instructor, but I had elected to stay back from the problem because I felt I would likely spend too much time trying to fix it and too much money from buying wrong parts; not having diagnostic equipment specific to these systems. Even having the right equipment, the Cummins dealer has had it for a week and it is not fixed yet.

Does a Cummins dealer lack any piece of equipment that a Dodge dealer would have, making it peculiar to the Dodge application?

My point here is not to criticize the Cummins dealer, because my experience as a mechanic tells me that diagnosis is not necessarily easy. My point is that I am trying to figure out how I can better prepare for future problems so I can be more self reliant.

What are you people doing? What do you own in terms of test equipment that is useful on our engines?

What spare parts should a person own for long term operation?

 

[WestTN]

Well, I doubt the Cummins dealer would have a DRBIII, since it is specific to Dodge/Chrysler computer systems.

 

[BILLVO]

what is wrong with your rig?

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I have an electronics background at the serious hobby level, and have a good selection of related test equipment, including digital and analog test meters, an Actron OBDII test and analysis tool - as well as a decent assortment of support and mechanic's tools.



BUT, even being perhaps slightly better equipped than most members here, I strongly feel the BEST maintenance is PREVENTIVE maintenance!



That involves serious efforts at keeping all electrical connections and devices in as good a condition and environment as reasonably physically possible. All grounds and battery connections need to be checked periodically, and various plugs and connections protected from the elements as best possible.



Underhood high pressure spray cleaners can be an invitation to disaster if electrical intermittents and outright failures are to be avoided. If unusually salty or dirty environments are unavoidable, and underhood washing MUST be done, electrical/electronic connections must be properly protected, and more frequently checked - a good electrical conductive paste to protect against rust and corrosion is a must in those cases.



If reasonable PREVENTATIVE care is used, the need and usage of various test equipment can be greatly reduced!

 

[JoeBioDiesel]

One of the first peices you need, after a good digital multimeter, would be a daignostic scanner. I work for Snap-on Diagnostics, so of course I'm partial to their stuff, but I liked their stuff even before I worked for them. Find a nice used MT2500 scanner that is updated at least as far as your vehicle is. The MT2500s with the 2001 update can be found pretty reasonably because in 2002 they went with programmable cartridges. The 2001s are not updateable, and as a result are pretty affordable.

A scanner will let you read what the computer sees, as well as control come components, like cycle the heater grids, field the alternator, stuff like that.

Joe