Community Forums

injuredvet · 10-08-2017, 03:33 PM

Hey there, I have a 99' Tradewinds 7372. Every time I use the fog light, or driving light as some call them, after about 7 minutes or so the dash light start flashing and then the engine stalls. I turn the fog lights off and the engine comes back to life all by itself. This problem also affects the chassis A/C when I turn it on after about 7 minutes or so, the dash ECM lights go crazy and then the engine stalls. I turn the chassis A/C off and the engine roars back to life on its own. I have taken it to the Freightliner dealer who swears there is no problem found. I have take it to a A/C specialists who also swears there is no A/C problem. No one can find any problem, yet every single time I drive it after just a few minutes using the fog lights or the chassis A/C it stalls. Any ideas? Help?!!!

BFlinn181 · 10-08-2017, 04:37 PM

How about any other 12v items on the chassis circuit? Wipers, heater, running lights? I'd start with removing and cleaning all battery and ground connections. Pay attention to ground connections under the dashboard.

Unplanned Tourist · 10-08-2017, 04:51 PM

Do you have a volt meter on the dash, and if so, what is it reading? Sounds like dropping voltage, cutting the power to the engine ECM. Could be grounds as well as power supply.
Happy Glamping.

injuredvet · 10-08-2017, 07:31 PM

I have tried the other switches, wipers, headlights, radio, turnsignals, house A/C, everything else and it all works just fine. But every time I use the driving lights, (fog lights) after about 5 to 7 minutes, the vehicle dies while driving. The actual gauges all work, and the volt meter shows approx 17 or so. It's the dark cluster that starts to flash all the lights just before it dies. All I have to do is turn the fog lights off and it will turn back on all on its own. I don't have to restart the engine. It's acting like a relay or circuit breaker is overloading or overheating, and when I shut it off, the current to the ECU is restored to let the engine run and the main cluster reset. The same happens with the chassis A/C. I was wondering if they share the same ground? or relay? or something like that. Does anyone have a wiring diagram for the 1999 tradewinds 7372?

BFlinn181 · 10-08-2017, 08:46 PM

I'm not too surprised that the A/C shop couldn't help you, but puzzled that Freightliner couldn't do more. I'd hook up a voltmeter directly at the ECU power input (perhaps it's fused at the chassis fuse box) and monitor voltage next time you turn on fog lights and bring on a shutdown. Are the lights original equipment or added by a previous owner?

Unplanned Tourist · 10-08-2017, 10:36 PM

If your dash is showing 17 volts, you have a problem with a ground or power supply circuit. Your alternator is sensing a lower voltage, and trying to charge more power to the battery. It should never go over 14.5 or so volts. Start looking at your power and ground connetions wherever you can to see if one is bad (corroded).
Happy Glamping.