'04 Itasca D/P Dash indicator problems, request help.

[FIRE UP]

Gents,
Well, I hate issues like this. I can fix things like hydraulic leaks, broken welds, seal problems etc. but, this thing I HAVE NO CLUE! What's happened(ing) is, the "Annunciator panel" that is, the icon bar with all the different colored warning messages on the dash is remaining "On" all the time. Along with that is the fact that the "Interactive Graphical Information Center" is completely blank and, NONE of the gauges work!

Now, this is all new. We finished a month long maiden voyage, about 2500 miles, about a month ago. That coach performed flawlessly. No issues what so ever. All that was a problem, both before and after we left and returned was a leaking ram in the bedroom slide which, since has been repaired.

Well, I got into the coach today, it's been sitting for about a month since we came back, and went to start her up and you could hear the little background "clicks", snaps, and noises that the coach goes through in the "Ignition on, wait to start light on" pre-start condition. Well, it starts just fine and, because I have no gauges what so ever, I immediately went out and checked the charge on the starting batteries for charge. They were getting a perfect 13.8V at the time, as well as the house batteries.

Well, in searching the net, my son and I came upon some past posts with similar issues but, not the same exact problem. The answer to theirs was the "MMDC" controller that sends the signal to the annunciator panel. It apparently has some cold solder issues as well as connector issues from the plug to the MMDC itself. Well, I removed the MMDC and checked the potential "Bad solder" joints and they appear to be just fine. I sprayed the contacts for the 10 pin connector with contact cleaner and then lubed them up a tad with some dielectric grease. NO HELP.

It still stays on. There's no alarm about low air, no buzzer for when you left the parking brake on and put it in gear, nothing. So, anyone had this problem on or in a similar coach? As stated, all was well before we parked it for a month. I'd sure appreciate what you can send me. And yes, if someone doesn't come through with what could be the answer, I'll be on the phone with Freightliner help in the morning. I thought I'd give you folks a try first. If you click on the link below, you'll see what I'm talking about, if you're not sure. Also as stated, the "Information Center" is also blank too.
Scott
http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/electro...mdc_owners.pdf

[ernieh]

I've not heard of solder problems with the MMDC computers, but they may exist. Most of those problems were with the System 3 computers.

I'm not sure about your 04, but many problems with the instrument panel annunciator lights can be traced to a relay mounted on the right frame rail near the starter. I believe there are three of them at that location, and one controls power to the instrument cluster. At least that's the case with System 3 chassis.

[FIRE UP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ernieh I've not heard of solder problems with the MMDC computers, but they may exist. Most of those problems were with the System 3 computers. I'm not sure about your 04, but many problems with the instrument panel annunciator lights can be traced to a relay mounted on the right frame rail near the starter. I believe there are three of them at that location, and one controls power to the instrument cluster. At least that's the case with System 3 chassis.

ernieh,
Well Sir, the MMDC in my case, is in the forward compartment, just in front of the left front tire, as well as all the 12v fuses and circuit breakers for engine ops, jacks, slides, HWH systems, and more. That compartment has about the same amount of wiring a B-52 has, (I've seen some 52 wiring). Anyway, after about a half hour on the phone with Freightliner customer service, all is fixed. She was a very nice and knowledgeable lady. We ran through a bunch of circuit testing here and there and in the end, it was/is a partial ground problem. Imagine that, grounds have been the source of many electrical problems since the beginning of automobiles.

Anyway, once we found out which ground was bad, leading to the MMDC, I jumped it with a jumper from the main ground lug in that compartment and zap, the instrument cluster did exactly what it's supposed to do and all the gauges started to work and I never thought I'd like to hear all the buzzers going off but, in this case, it was a very pleasant sound. Now, I just have to trace the bad ground. This is cool.
Scott