Workhorse computer program UFO backup error

JimO · 05-09-2010, 10:25 AM

I have received several private messages about my UFO Workhorse computer getting a new firmware. I think it would be better to put this in a place that other people can see information about it, and ask questions if needed. Here is what happened; I bought the coach and when I towed my toad the computer flashed an annoying error their was a backup lamp fail. Of course you do not have a backup lamp when you can't backup, when you have a car in tow. It was really annoying because I could not see the information that I selected like outside temperature while this error was flashing. I asked the dealer during other initial warranty work to fix it. I kept getting it back with the same error. It took a lot of communication to get them to understand the issue. They tried a few things and gave up. They said it was a workhorse issue and asked me to take it to a workhorse service center. They had it twice for a total of about four days. It was back and forth that Winnebago should have fixed it before delivery. No one could find anyone at Winnebago that could fix it. It was very frustrating. At this level I have over two hundred miles, fuel, and about 10 hours of time invested. According to the Winnebago and Workhorse service departments they had over twenty hours of phone time in trying to get an answer. Finally Workhorse had me take the coach to DSU in Portland, Oregon because their computer software was newer. They had trouble also and like me decided not to give up. They eventually got a programmer from Workhorse in South Africa. He sent them a firmware update and that fixed the problem. Crazy, yes I said Africa! At the same time I got it back with less millage than when I bought it. I was going to fix it myself by putting a resister in the cord cap that tricked then computer into believing their was a working backup lamp in the circuit. I did not because I thought if this was a problem then their may be something else. During this I had to replace the cord and have the toad wiring checked because everyone thought it was me not them.

DriVer · 05-09-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimO

Finally Workhorse had me take the coach to DSU in Portland, Oregon because their computer software was newer. They had trouble also and like me decided not to give up. They eventually got a programmer from Workhorse in South Africa. He sent them a firmware update and that fixed the problem. Crazy, yes I said Africa!

The Internet makes the world a small place. Engineers from South Africa played a major part in developing the Workhorse Integrated Smart Electrical System, (WISE). Workhorse's original owner Andrews Taitz was a South African business man and he was the owner of what was called GVW before he sold the business to Navistar.

Compare this to another collaborative project called ISS and you can see that people do come together from all over the world and make amazing things.

Quote:

I was going to fix it myself by putting a resister in the cord cap that tricked then computer into believing their was a working backup lamp in the circuit. I did not because I thought if this was a problem then their may be something else. During this I had to replace the cord and have the toad wiring checked because everyone thought it was me not them.

Your machine is still under warranty and I would not take the chance to assume the liability for possibly making things worse and having to be declined a warranty claim due to tampering. I could happen.

I am glad for you that the software update fixed your problem and thanks for the heads up on this UFO problem, diagnostic curve and resolution.