Retreiving engine fault codes

bdpreece · 03-03-2010, 12:34 PM

I just spent 2 days sitting in a diesel repair shop waiting for a tech to drive out from LA to pull the fault codes from my computer in order to get it repaired. The charge for his trip was $320 dollars. On my 2003 XC chassis with a Cat 350, I have the Medallion instrumentation system which has diagnostics. I went to the internet and printed out the operations manual which is of no help as the block diagram takes you to the "Enter Password" section then says Authorized Service use only. What the heck kind of a deal is this? I own this coach I should be allowed to access the fault codes without having to pay an arm and a leg plus having to sit around waiting for what seems like forever. I suspect the password is all zeros but then I don't know what to hit next. It also looks like Freightliner disabled the ability to pull the codes using the cruise control so I was just stuck. Does anyone know how to pull the codes in case I get into this situation again?

Harry B · 03-03-2010, 12:43 PM

This will do it VMSpc | SilverLeaf Electronics, Inc.

bdpreece · 03-03-2010, 03:35 PM

Yes but I should not have to spend another $1000 or so when I have the freightliner/Medallion system already installed.

chasfm11 · 03-03-2010, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdpreece

Yes but I should not have to spend another $1000 or so when I have the freightliner/Medallion system already installed.

I understand but I paid $400 for the VMSpc package and figure that being able to read my own fault codes when I wanted to read them has already saved me 4x the purchase price. The Medallion Operator's Manual shows the Turbo Boost gauge to be optional. Being able to monitor boost was one of the several reasons that I bought VMSpc in the first place. I also find that the digital representation of things like the engine coolant temperature is far more accurate on VMSpc than in the console gauges. I can watch the temperature of the engine climb, the thermostat open and then temp drop back down - while the needle on the gauge never moves.

I guess it all comes down to how important it is to you. Sitting around for a couple days and paying almost the cost of the VMSpc to have the codes read once would be enough for me but each of us has to make our own judgments.

siggyd · 03-03-2010, 09:07 PM

I would like to know the CODE word also. Isn't there anyone that knows that code??? This may be worth a discussion in the Freightliner Chat-room!
Siggy D.

bdpreece · 03-04-2010, 10:38 AM

If you can find out any information please post it here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by siggyd

I would like to know the CODE word also. Isn't there anyone that knows that code??? This may be worth a discussion in the Freightliner Chat-room!
Siggy D.

**Route 66** · 03-04-2010, 10:50 AM

Does Freightliner charge a fee for the password?

bdpreece · 03-04-2010, 12:54 PM

I don't know if you can purchase the password but I think it is some type of a scam since I already have the capability to read it out yet had to pay someone to drive out and plug in to the coach to tell the shop what to fix. Funny thing is I can drive my car down to almost any auto parts store and they will read out the computer for free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

Does Freightliner charge a fee for the password?

rescue7 · 03-04-2010, 04:05 PM

I guess we need to get on chat and askthe Freightliner people the code.

JoeT · 03-04-2010, 04:18 PM

I asked on the Freightliner Chat about reading the fault codes. Reading them via the cruise control is only available from late 2007 on.
For those with the Medallion Info Center, the password is 8127.

bdpreece · 03-04-2010, 06:24 PM

Thats great. Now if they would provide us with information on how to run the diagnostics and what the readouts mean we could really get somewhere. At least for now If I get stuck I can get to the codes and call CAT for help.

siggyd · 03-04-2010, 06:48 PM

Thank You Joe for getting the password.
Siggy D.

okie-dokie · 12-16-2010, 08:49 AM

Good Morning Joe. How do I know if I have the Medallion infor center ? In other words I have a infor center, but I don't know if its Medallion brand. I have a Fleetwood Revolution 2005 yr. w/Freightliner chassis, w/350 cat engine.
I've been searching for that password for years, so I can read my diagonistic codes.