Freightliner Rear PDM Recall

[tomato]

Just received my second notice on this stating that the final recall repair is now available and parts have been sourced.

Quote from the recall letter: "A secondary fused harness will be added which bypasses the affected suspect portion of the PDM."

What!? They can't figure out how to procure a reliable PDM? Or is this fix the cheaper way to go!?

Definitely concerned and disappointed.

[USMCRET]

I thought that solution sounded odd myself.

[Dutch Star Don]

I got mine today. I think the original PDM would get overloaded and get hot, dropping out certain circuits. I'm guessing they're bypassing some and redistributing the load versus replace the box a second time.

[RVStitchy]

Got mine yesterday as well. I was already planning on visiting my local FL service center to talk about reprogramming my Gen 2 Valor. Now I can hopefully kill two birds with one recall.

[UMXHAULER]

Originally Posted by RVStitchy

Got mine yesterday as well. I was already planning on visiting my local FL service center to talk about reprogramming my Gen 2 Valor. Now I can hopefully kill two birds with one recall.

That's what I am hoping too.

[richpatty]

I also received one...and ironically, I had a defective one replaced just this past December...

[plane]

Originally Posted by richpatty

I also received one...and ironically, I had a defective one replaced just this past December...

I had my PDM replaced back when all this begun and have had no problem but I continued to get recalls. The shop told me even after several mods to the PDM some issues remained and the harness bypassed those issues to resolve them. So while having the dash light dimmer recall performed while servicing I had the harness installed.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I got mine today. I think the original PDM would get overloaded and get hot, dropping out certain circuits. I'm guessing they're bypassing some and redistributing the load versus replace the box a second time.

Originally Posted by plane

I had my PDM replaced back when all this begun and have had no problem but I continued to get recalls. The shop told me even after several mods to the PDM some issues remained and the harness bypassed those issues to resolve them. So while having the dash light dimmer recall performed while servicing I had the harness installed.

It is this PDM back by the batteries, correct? I remember reading about PDM heat issues when I first got the coach and ended up putting a bunch of stick on fiberglass heat insulation to protect it.

[Dutch Star Don]

Mine is set up a little different. It's bolted to a metal wall that divides it from the exhaust. I insulated the exhaust side of the wall and the DEF tank that is only 3" from the exhaust.

I'm having elbow surgery the 21st. I'll probably take mine in after that while I'm recuperating and not going anywhere. I also need the dash recall and the fuel line recall. I won't let them touch the fuel line unless they have all the parts in case they damage it, which has been an issue.

[Wil_H]

Tomato,
Do you happen to have a picture of the new part as it is installed? Would be interesting to see what they've done.
Thank you,

Originally Posted by tomato

Just received my second notice on this stating that the final recall repair is now available and parts have been sourced.

Quote from the recall letter: "A secondary fused harness will be added which bypasses the affected suspect portion of the PDM."

What!? They can't figure out how to procure a reliable PDM? Or is this fix the cheaper way to go!?

Definitely concerned and disappointed.

[tomato]

Originally Posted by Wil_H

Tomato,
Do you happen to have a picture of the new part as it is installed? Would be interesting to see what they've done.
Thank you,

I have not had the recall done yet, but I agree with you. I think some of the previous posters on this thread have had it done. If you are still reading, please post a picture.

[Rd1]

The heat is certainly a viable issue. It does get toasty back there. However, are there not any other relays in the PDM? No other component is impacted except this one relay! Perhaps this one is a bit more sensitive to heat. That doesn't imply the PDM unit should not be protected against the exhaust heat.

The pre 2019 PDM version had a specific pattern. Once the problem manifested itself, the failure would occur within 30 minutes of any effected component turned ON. Ie, the tail lights or the dash AC. One owner from Texas (MADP??) had posted a comment here a few years back, asking why his dash AC would blow warm air after what he estimated to be about 30 min of use. I have had that experience repeatedly with the original PDM version. This version recovered after a long term shut down (over night).

The 2019 thru 2020 (Sep) version had corrected the 30 min failure issue. However, the failure occurred randomly and remained.

The third version, post 2020 (Sep), now appears to fail within one hour of usage. At least twice so far. I leave my park/tail lights on at all time while driving to keep an eye on it. In this case, it appears the brake lights may be effected too, as well as the turn signal. I did not have the brake light issue with the first version.

In this version, I have had two instances were the lights recovered on their own!! Once stopped for fueling for about 10 min, just as leaving the lights came back on their own. Another time, they recovered while driving. I wasn't expecting it to recover, so did not time it.

What could help to shed a clearer light on the issue may be, to discover the parameter's of the relay in question. Once the parameters/programming is identified, it may be easier to understand what scenarios cause the relay to shut down and what helps it to recover. Eventually, an expert will shine the light on this!

As for the latest version, those who have the upgrade and have a tow/toad or trailer hooked up. You might want to inspect and keep an eye on the lights for your tow.. Just in case, do not want to experience an unpleasant surprise!

[tomato]

Originally Posted by Rd1

The heat is certainly a viable issue. It does get toasty back there. However, are there not any other relays in the PDM? No other component is impacted except this one relay! Perhaps this one is a bit more sensitive to heat. That doesn't imply the PDM unit should not be protected against the exhaust heat.

The pre 2019 PDM version had a specific pattern. Once the problem manifested itself, the failure would occur within 30 minutes of any effected component turned ON. Ie, the tail lights or the dash AC. One owner from Texas (MADP??) had posted a comment here a few years back, asking why his dash AC would blow warm air after what he estimated to be about 30 min of use. I have had that experience repeatedly with the original PDM version. This version recovered after a long term shut down (over night).

The 2019 thru 2020 (Sep) version had corrected the 30 min failure issue. However, the failure occurred randomly and remained.

The third version, post 2020 (Sep), now appears to fail within one hour of usage. At least twice so far. I leave my park/tail lights on at all time while driving to keep an eye on it. In this case, it appears the brake lights may be effected too, as well as the turn signal. I did not have the brake light issue with the first version.

In this version, I have had two instances were the lights recovered on their own!! Once stopped for fueling for about 10 min, just as leaving the lights came back on their own. Another time, they recovered while driving. I wasn't expecting it to recover, so did not time it.

What could help to shed a clearer light on the issue may be, to discover the parameter's of the relay in question. Once the parameters/programming is identified, it may be easier to understand what scenarios cause the relay to shut down and what helps it to recover. Eventually, an expert will shine the light on this!

As for the latest version, those who have the upgrade and have a tow/toad or trailer hooked up. You might want to inspect and keep an eye on the lights for your tow.. Just in case, do not want to experience an unpleasant surprise!

Odd for sure. I'm not sure I understand their abbreviations/legend, but most fuses and relays are marked "TOW." Are these for the 7-pin connector, or does TOW stand for something else?

[Rd1]

Originally Posted by tomato

Odd for sure. I'm not sure I understand their abbreviations/legend, but most fuses and relays are marked "TOW." Are these for the 7-pin connector, or does TOW stand for something else?

Indeed they are for the tow/7-pin connector, both fuses and the relays.