Community Forums

asw211rf · 02-22-2012, 02:07 PM

2011 Itasca Meridian 34Y with XCS chassis. RV has 3,850 miles since new. Fueled up yesterday at the end of a 3 week trip and headed for home when I noticed the speedometer at 0. Checked the LBCU and it was registering my speed. Pulled up to the house and disconnected the car. When I started it back up the speedometer was registering normally. Any ideas? What's up? RF

ernieh · 02-22-2012, 02:22 PM

Sounds like you somehow displayed and reset the trip meter.

I reset mine every time that I fuel with a rocker switch located near the instruments.

The same switch changes the display from odometer to trip. If you hold it on trip, then it resets.

MaverickBBD · 02-22-2012, 04:03 PM

I would suspect wiring harness. Call 1.800.FTL.HELP and they can walk you through some diagnostics/troubleshooting. If you don't get through, leave a message they pride themselves on being 100% on call backs. Have your vin # ready.

asw211rf · 02-23-2012, 06:38 AM

Thanks for the feedback. I did call the Freightliner help line but since the anolog speedometer started working again, they couldn't help. Although, Freightliner did say that since the LBCU was getting a signal and it temporarily was not going to the analog speedometer that the issue was isolated to the dash. RF

Hooligan · 02-23-2012, 08:14 AM

Sounds like the problems with VDC (Vehicle data computer). Don't know if the newer chassis's have the same setup but on the my era XCS chassis all the data information for the dash instruments goes through the VDC. The info is sent to the dash on a single wire and each instrument pulls it's info off that wire. You can swap plugs around between the gauges and they will still read correctly. (Unless of course the gauge is bad then it will still read incorrectly)
I had your problem at times, the speedometer would drop to zero but the cruise control and other gauges worked fine. 1st time it happened, Freightliner replaced the Speedometer under warranty. Several months later same problem. But when I restarted after a rest stop everything worked normally. This would repeat off an on, on various trips. Apparently shutting off power resets the VDC. "Chasm11' on this forum had similar problems and found that by cleaning the connectors on the VDc the problem went away.

The VDC is a square silver box with 4 multi-pin connectors and 2 air lines going to it. On my chassis it is in the passenger side rear compartment along with the transmission computer. (Some VDC's are on the frame rails alongside the engine) I cleaned the connectors and coated with dielectric compound several years ago and the problem has not returned. (use care, the connectors are fragile)

Hope this helps, freightliner should be able to help and will know if you have the same set-up. They also have wiring diagrams for your chassis.. I think the VDC location is determined by the motorhome manufacturer not FTL.. Also search here for VDC or VIM...

FWIW I don't think your problem is isolated to the dash- too similar to what was a common problem with the Data computer...

Fred Cooper · 02-24-2012, 08:10 PM

Hooligan...I agree with what you've said (and I've seen my speedo coast down from 65 to zero and then begin to work again after power off).

The OP's system will be different, however. What you (Hooigan) and I have is referred to by Freightliner as "System III Wiring", and applies to 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002 (through June 9, 2002) model-year vehicles.

For what it's worth, Freightliner SB 54-12 provides good troubleshooting info on the System III Wiring system, and it can be downloaded from the link below:

http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/go...44_sbu5412.pdf

Fred

Hooligan · 02-24-2012, 09:46 PM

Thanks Fred- Good information. I had the Medallion gauge values info but not the troubleshooting.
Was hoping it applied to the OP's problem....

ernieh · 02-25-2012, 10:52 AM

Fred,

My chassis was built after June 9, 2002 and is still a System 3. I believe that the change to MMDC came with the 2004 chassis which probably started production in the summer of 2003.

asw211rf · 02-27-2012, 11:15 AM

My Operating Manual makes no reference to the VDC. Will this also apply to my 2011 Meridian? RF

ernieh · 02-27-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asw211rf

My Operating Manual makes no reference to the VDC. Will this also apply to my 2011 Meridian? RF

You definitely have a computer that among other things generates all the info on your instrument panel. They used a system called "System 3" until 2004. Then a fancier one called MMDC. I believe that they upgraded again in 2010 or 2011, but I'm not sure what it is called.

The S3 computers were always in the back. MMDC were somewhere in the front of the chassis.