Community Forums

pghbob · 04-15-2017, 10:33 PM

just finished our trip north in a new 2017 Discovery with freightliner chassis and did 12 nights and 2500 miles before we had to drive at night. I was kind of surprised when I turned on the lights (first time driving after dusk) and the dash lights flickered continuously. I was even more surprised when I googled and found this thread! It seems to be a very common problem and they can't seem to figure it out? Seems to be a lot of "work-arounds" - all of which we'll try of course, but isn't it surprising that they can't fix the problem? I'll be following this thread for additional updates and thanks everyone for the info.

ChassisGuy · 04-15-2017, 10:39 PM

As I've said several times in this thread, there IS a fix. There's a delivery problem with it right now but that's getting sorted out.

Sireman · 04-18-2017, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChassisGuy

As I've said several times in this thread, there IS a fix. There's a delivery problem with it right now but that's getting sorted out.

I have an appointment with Freightliner in Gaffney this August. Would you happen to have any contact names and email addresses that I can use in an attempt to address my flickering when I am there?

Thanks

Gary E Seyer
garyseyer@hotmail.com

ScottyA · 04-18-2017, 03:58 PM

This is what I got when I emailed freightliner about the issue in October 2016

Mr Benson,
Our engineers are currently working on a fix for this issue. I have added
your RV vin number to the list of owners to call when the fix is available.

Sincerely,
Ricky Houser
FCCC Representative

Date: 10/22/2016 12:14:25 PM
To: fcccservice@daimler.com

Subject: dimmer switch

when the lights are turned on, and the dimmer switch has the dash lights on at maximum, they are fine. When I use the dimmer switch and dim the lights, the dash lights flicker. What can I do to fix?

ChassisGuy · 04-19-2017, 07:35 AM

Do people even read through this thread or just post?

AzGoldDigger · 04-19-2017, 10:11 AM

At least some do. I now know there is a list of people to contact. Laughable, since FCCC has a list of ALL the units with defective software. Guess they weren't going to tell the rest of us? I also find it amazing they didn't have a workable plan to perform SW updates, after all, who could have foreseen the need? You know, besides every other manufacturer in the universe.

ChassisGuy · 04-19-2017, 11:22 AM

It's a corruption in the method of transmission from the laptop to the lightbar. It has nothing to do with a workable plan.

AzGoldDigger · 04-19-2017, 04:27 PM

Work all due respect, their plan doesn't work. By definition, a "workable" plan would work. It is 99% unlikely the data is being corrupted by the laptop or a data cable used by billions of people daily. The only reasonable assumption is there is a flaw in the light bar's comm path or it is susceptible to electronic interference from a nearby source. This should have been easily observed by real world testing.

ChassisGuy · 04-19-2017, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzGoldDigger

Work all due respect, their plan doesn't work. By definition, a "workable" plan would work. It is 99% unlikely the data is being corrupted by the laptop or a data cable used by billions of people daily. The only reasonable assumption is there is a flaw in the light bar's comm path or it is susceptible to electronic interference from a nearby source. This should have been easily observed by real world testing.

It is in fact corruption. The Nexiq device is what we use. There is no flaw in the datalink. That would mess up everything. I know what the resolution around this is.

AzGoldDigger · 04-19-2017, 06:06 PM

By definition, data corruption is the transformation of a correct numerical value into an alternate, incorrect value. It does not happen by magic. If the transformation is not due to electrical interference on a communication channel, it would have to be software bug. Can you explain...

ChassisGuy · 04-19-2017, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzGoldDigger

By definition, data corruption is the transformation of a correct numerical value into an alternate, incorrect value. It does not happen by magic. If the transformation is not due to electrical interference on a communication channel, it would have to be software bug. Can you explain...

Listen, I'm just a dumb mechanic and the use of "data corruption" was my own interpretation of the issue. Something is happening when the software update is sent from the laptop to the lightbar. I was told it was the diagnostic adapter causing it. The lightbar manufacture does not utilize this method and that's why the units built now have the correct software.

So, again per your definition, it is data corruption.

AzGoldDigger · 04-19-2017, 07:58 PM

I've read a lot of your posts; you are certainly not dumb. I certainly didn't mean to offend. Im a little frustrated that this is taking so long. I also admit to having very high expectations from top flight companies like Freightliner

ChassisGuy · 04-19-2017, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzGoldDigger

I've read a lot of your posts; you are certainly not dumb. I certainly didn't mean to offend. Im a little frustrated that this is taking so long. I also admit to having very high expectations from top flight companies like Freightliner

I'll admit it has taken a long time to come up with a fix. It was a very specific sequence of events that caused the issue and I know the lightbar manufacturer had to figure out why.

tombottcat · 04-19-2017, 08:55 PM

another one for the list 2016 THOR TUSCANY XTE 36MQ , have spoken to freightliner and as every one says aware? great- also on the dash issues have 14,500 miles on the odometer and just droped to 106 miles? spoke to freightliner again and they are saying its a flaw in the screen light bar not communicating with the ECM ? AND ? meanwhile if i drive at night i need to throw a towel over the dash - spend all this money on a beautiful truck and they put the cheapest plastic dash made in these new units