r/DieselTechs

So, to start off, this is basically a relatively brand-new M-series T770 loader (only has 2.2 hours, that's just from factory test + PDI). It sat in the lot since about February, I doubt anybody's started it. I've no idea what the lines or the fuel or anything else looks like; my biggest concern is that there's just straight up no lighting up or nothing. I checked the battery, it sits at a comfy 12.84V, tested it, it can crank the right amount of CCA, all the connections are good, no corrosion, so I'm golden there. It's a good battery.

But nothing lights up. The deluxe control panel doesn't flip on, the engine doesn't start priming, nothing, whenever I turn the starter switch. Safe to say it definitely doesn't crank either. I hooked up the service analyzer, and I get nothing. It detects the auxiliary when I put it on 'power', but it will not crank the engine and does not detect main at all.

So I take off the interior panels, pull out the deluxe control and the starter switch, unplug that all, and I start testing with my multimeter; I'm getting good voltage to the cab, but when I test for resistance, I'm pulling 108 Ohms at the control panel and starter switch when testing switched power and ground to frame wires, for both wire clusters.

So I check the fuse and relay boxes. All of the fuses are fine, none of them are drawing too much, none are broken, the relays have good continuity, no overdraw...

I'm at my wits end here, because I have no idea where to look. I'm pretty entry-level when it comes to electrical, honestly. This is basically a virgin machine, and I *really* do not want to start cutting into the wrapped up cables to start poking around for bad wiring unless it's necessary-- which, honestly, I don't even think that's where the problem is. To answer a question before it's asked, no, I don't need OEM specs or diagrams, I already have that as I work at a licensed Bobcat dealership. I just need advice on where I should be checking. If anyone has knowledge of M-Series bobcats or just electrical on off-highway equipment in general and can tell me what I should be looking for, I'd be greatly appreciative. I'm very new to diagnosing issues and I'm trying to get better at it. Thank you.

What’s up grease monkeys

I’m looking for stories/ input from the guys that actually like their shops or companies. Bonus points if you name names. Feel like we always hear about the dogshit but never the places that are actually worth working at.

I work for a school district that recently has had some changes and currently looking to fill 2 mechanic positions.
I've worked several jobs and this by far is the easiest one l've had. Which is hard coming from flat rate shops. This job is hourly, weekdays only, 8 hour days with overtime if wanted, maintenance shop doing mainly brakes, tires, lights, gts, water pumps, belts, all the easy stuff.
Starting for mechanic is $25 an hour and can possibly get you more depending on experience and if you have a cdl

Looking to boost a truck. I have a booster pack that can output both 12V and 24V. Which setting do you usually use for a semi, like a Cascadia? Just want to make sure I’m using the correct one.

Got an offer from rush truck leasing at $27/Hr as a level 2 tech. Wondering if this would be a good opportunity to gain more experience and training/certifications. Leaving a construction fleet shop where I barely make 40 hrs and currently there's barely any work. Has anyone worked at a rush truck leasing to provide any insight?

hey don't know if I'm in the right sub reddit but it seems close enough. For context I'm a license 310J tech in Ontario that recently started at a new place at the beginning of the week and I'm already seeing signs that i should be looking for a new place. Number 1 boss wants all of the repairs to be quick as possible and take short cuts to get them done faster, Example when doing a break job you see worn anchor pins, bring it to boss attention he says "its only a customer unit" and i replay "Why does the quality of work change?". There's more examples i can give but this is the one on the top of my head at the moment as it happened right at the end of my shift. I know you can still do quality work and remain well under the SRT times, if something is fucked replace it its not gonna fix itself

Why do engineers insist on naming conventions that, while technically logical in some pristine, sterile office, make absolutely zero sense to the simple-minded, knuckle-dragging creatures known as mechanics and their helpers?

​I was troubleshooting an intermittent loss of power for the rear A/C unit on a Thomas C2. Naturally, I deployed the time-honored, highly sophisticated diagnostic technique of "wiggle the wires until the fans do something." I did the wiggly-thingy on a harness near the side condenser and aha! The fans cut on and off with every wiggle. State-of-the-art technique. I am a genius.

​So, I began the dreaded Ritual of the Peel to find the broken wire. It’s a sacred rite accompanied by the excruciating, soul-crushing pain of the wrists and thumbs... I hate split-loom wire armor. I peeled a mile of harness (felt like at least) and nothing! Everything looked good. I moved to the rear fan, thinking maybe a ground rubbed through and the wiggle test was just a cruel coincidence. Nope. All good there, too.

​Defeated but stubborn, I followed the harness forward into the dark abyss of the Power Distribution Modules (PDMs). Now, for the longest time, I believed the A/C system was isolated from the main body electrical. After all, it has its own dedicated box on the left side with its own breakers, fuses, relays, and battery feeds. Nothing on the main PDMs even hinted at climate control, unless you count the dashboard heater fans.

​Desperate, I placed my raw, aching beaters on the first set of PDM wires and BEHOLD! The issue recreated itself. Consistently! Hallelujah! I felt like an absolute badass. I was on top of the world, ready to beat my chest like an alpha gorilla and assert my dominance over the rest of the shop.

​And that, my friends, is when I discovered that I have been spelling "A/C" wrong my entire professional life.

​Apparently, it is spelled E-X-M  V-B-A-T-2.

​What in the absolute hell?! How am I supposed to know that EXM VBAT2 means "the thing that keeps the children from sweating to death"?!

​Sure, "the schematics could have shed light on this." But what schematics?! I work for a county! They expect us to perform daily mechanical miracles using nothing but our bare hands, some incense, and whatever mystical herbs we can forage from the wild meadows where technicians run free!

​EXM VBAT2. Why do they insist on making it stupid? Why not just label it "ACM BAT," or "A/C," or literally anything that makes sense to a human being who doesn't possess an engineering degree from MIT? I know it makes sense if you have a 400-page wiring diagram in front of you, but operating on that assumption is fundamentally flawed.

​Thank you all for your attention to this traumatic matter. I will now go apply ice to my thumbs.

I am doing some research to see what issues I may run into swapping a blown CM2350 from a 21' pete 389 with a CM2450 from a totalled 23' pete 389. I would be swapping complete engines with ecms.

What challenges will I face?

Will the after treatment be compatible?

What wiring changes will I have to make?

Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated

Backstory: I have an oddball 2024 t880 dump truck in a fleet of westerns I maintain. About one year ago I had some weird exterior lighting issues with the truck. I spent more time than I care to admit tracing it to a blown fuse for SCM power supply #5. Recently my operators were at a job 5 hours away and called me saying the trailer that it was pulling didn’t have stop or turn lights. They were able to find that wires had come loose out of the trailer plug, they got them reinstalled and got the truck/trailer back. I checked it over when it got back and power supplies 5,6, and 7 for the SCM blew the fuses. I replaced them and peeled the harness back between the firewall and SCM to look for chafed wires on the cab mount and frame rail as the dealer mentioned a high rate of failure the first time I had this issue. All the wires were in good shape. The truck has been running without issues for a week now

Question: Does the SCM have “smart” circuit protections or would the trailer plug wires shorting downstream blow the power supply fuses? My access to info and schematics on this truck is extremely limited so any help is greatly appreciated. I did also reach out to my dealer but they’re not getting back to me

I’m on the company insite on the laptop trying to recal a 2015 Cummins isb 6.7. I’m connected to wifi, bus KOnEOff and cannot get the wizard to open. I have the correct ECM code and just trying to reinstall the current calibration, when I click it nothing happens.

This happened on a 2013 and soon after Cummins phased out that calibration. I am also running a DLA 2.0 , when there is a 3.0 available for purchase/ not that I think this is the issue… but 🤷‍♂️. It tough because the bus is in a derate and as far as I’m aware to clear the derate you need to recal.

Any ideas or insight (no pun intended) would be greatly appreciated!!!

Hey everyone! I’m at a standstill with a decision and I’d love to hear y’all’s advice. I have an offer to be a field technician which is what I want to do for a mom and pop company. The money and hours are good, benefits could be better but they’re better than what I expected. Only downside is there’s no sick time and PTO starts after a year. I’m open to any advice! Thank you all for your time!

So I took my 2019 freightliner Cascadia fully cleaned at radiator shop as well. The codes here are listed below.

Do you guys think I will need a new def sensor
Or pump?

Def is clean and good

I have done a region multiple times as well

Codes: 1. SPN 521049 FMI 31 — DEF Inducement DEF Lamp Active
2. SPN 521050 FMI 31 — DEF Inducement SEL Lamp Active
3. SPN 521052 FMI 31 — DEF Inducement CEL Lamp Active
4. SPN 520372 FMI 16 — SCR Closed Loop Control at Maximum Limit (Permanent)

Hello there i was wondering if anyone has any job leads or any idea on how to land a 310t apprenticeship in ontario canada, currently employed wih Ryder as a Technician Trainee for close to a year and a half

I have a strong body and my entire toolkit for my career already, can do Preventative maintenance, tire changes, brake changes, electrical diagnostics, grease points, oil changes, oil filters and many more

Seems so hard to find anyone willing to give someone a chance to land a 310t apprenticeship, even with relevant work experience and hand on training in a professional enviroment

Have over 2 years experience in the trucking industry and i cant find anything

Feel like im starting to be taken advantage of where i currently work and starting to look for another shop that is willing to register highly motivated individuals with relevant work experience

Any advice would help ty 👍

Hello, i was wondering if anyone has any job leads or any idea on how to land a 310t apprenticeship in ontario, currently employed with Ryder as a Technician Trainee for close to a year and a half.

I have a strong body and my entire toolkit for my career already, can do Preventative maintenance, tire changes, brake changes, grease points, electrical diagnostics, ac and coolant changes, oil changes, oil filter changes and many other things

Seems so hard to find anyone willing to give someone a chance to land a 310t apprenticeship, even with work experience and hands on training iñ a professional enviroment

Have over 2 years of work exp in the trucking industry and i cant find anything....

Feel like im starting to be taken advantage of where i currently work and starting to look for another shop that is willing to register highly motivated individuals with relevant work experience

Any advice would help ty 👍