Wiring harness problem

[TheDriver]

My motorhome is on a 2007 Spartan Chassis.

While driving down the road I get a "No J1939 Data Bus communication" error. The result is I lose tach, speedometer, temp, oil pressure and voltage meters. In the past I have wiggled the wires on the passenger side of the engine block and this would temporarily solve the problem.
I have had it to Authorized Spartan Service Centers several times. The last time they spent several hours checking everything they could and re-pinned the red and yellow wire, took the motor home for a test ride and said everything was good. We just drove 2,500 miles and I got the same error again.
Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you solve it?

[Ann n Gene]

Have not had that problem, however, I would highly recommend a trip to Charlotte to the Spartan factory. They will find it and fix it. I had an electrical problem in the smart wheel that no one could find, they would get it to working and think they had it fixed but soon it would reappear. Had it in several factory authorized shops with little luck. Took it to Charlotte and they fixed it in about 3 hours, that was 18 months ago and it has not reappeared. just my experience and opinion.

[buck62]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDriver My motorhome is on a 2007 Spartan Chassis. While driving down the road I get a "No J1939 Data Bus communication" error. The result is I lose tach, speedometer, temp, oil pressure and voltage meters. In the past I have wiggled the wires on the passenger side of the engine block and this would temporarily solve the problem. I have had it to Authorized Spartan Service Centers several times. The last time they spent several hours checking everything they could and re-pinned the red and yellow wire, took the motor home for a test ride and said everything was good. We just drove 2,500 miles and I got the same error again. Has anyone else had this problem and if so how did you solve it?

Yes, I had the same error code while driving and the ABS light would come on with buzzer. After a lot of trobleshooting, there is no way to actually test the information panel just ruled out ABS Sensors, Computer, ect it finally determined that the light bar information panel was shorted out. It was replace under warranty and I have not had any problems since. Repari center told me that the Spartan Information Light Bar costs approximately $1600 if it was not under warranty.

[jdcollins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck62 Yes, I had the same error code while driving and the ABS light would come on with buzzer. After a lot of trobleshooting, there is no way to actually test the information panel just ruled out ABS Sensors, Computer, ect it finally determined that the light bar information panel was shorted out. It was replace under warranty and I have not had any problems since. Repari center told me that the Spartan Information Light Bar costs approximately $1600 if it was not under warranty.

I've had the same intermittent problem as well. Ironically, the first time it occurred was when we were headed to Charlotte, MI in 2009 for the Spartan Chassis Owners Training. Unfortunately, it didn't occur while we were there and they were unable to diagnose the problem. Since then it continues to occur periodically and I've taken it to Spartan authorized service centers several times without success. They apparently can't diagnosis this intermittent problem unless it is occurring at the time. The problem seems to happen after driving for a couple of hours on days with 90+ temperatures. I believe this problem is a safety issue as well. In addition to losing dash readouts of temp, voltage, speed, etc. my engine brake becomes inoperative.

I've decided to take the coach to Charlotte and leave it. I can't continue to drive it under these circumstances. Since my appointment is in two weeks hopefully August temperatures will be hot and the symptoms occur.

[TheDriver]

I just left Anchorage where we had Cummins Northwest check out our problem. When they connected the computer it showed that at no time did the engine ever lose communication. It turned out that there were a couple of loose connections but they also found that there were a couple of wires grounded to the engine block. Cummins, in their specs, require that all grounds be to the batteries. They moved the wires and we have not had any more problems so far. Hope this helps.

[jdcollins]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDriver I just left Anchorage where we had Cummins Northwest check out our problem. When they connected the computer it showed that at no time did the engine ever lose communication. It turned out that there were a couple of loose connections but they also found that there were a couple of wires grounded to the engine block. Cummins, in their specs, require that all grounds be to the batteries. They moved the wires and we have not had any more problems so far. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply. I will certainly mention that when I take it in.