Problem with dash warning lights on 2004 Expedition

[Trackrig]

Because our MH is in storage a long ways away, we borrowed a friends 2004 Fleetwood Expedition 39S. It's built on a Freightliner chassis with a Cat C7 340HP and Allison. Less than 40,000 miles and well maintained. His MH is very similar to ours, so I'm familiar with everything on it. While I'd like to solve what happened to his MH, I'd also like to know incase the same thing happens on ours.

When I was returning it to them, the dash warning lights went crazy. On the dash above the steering wheel there are two rows of about 15 lights. These are the standard idiot warning lights covering such things as turn indicators, low air pressure, air brakes set, system charging, etc.

While driving down the road, all of a sudden the lights started flashing one at a time. As I said, there are two rows of them. The top left light would flash first, then each succeeding light would flash from the very left one to the very right one. Then on the second row of lights, the very right would flash succeeding through all of them on the second row, to the very left one. After the left most light on the second row flashed, the flashing would reverse itself all the way back up through the second row again. The flashes were very bright, very quick and in various colors - it looked like I had a cop car on the dash with all of it's lights flashing.

The MH continued to run and operate fine. No problems with power, engine, brakes, air pressure, etc. Since I only had a little ways to where I was stopping for fuel, I proceeded down the road. When I stopped to fill with propane, the flashing stopped. I started it, moved to fuel. The MH ran for about two minutes and the flashing started again. After filling the fuel (it needed about 15 gal) I drove it to my friends house - the light show did not start again. I started and stopped it at his house several times without a repeat of the dash lights.

Any ideas?

Bill

[Trackrig]

I'll have to call him for his VIN. Maybe I'll call Freightliner using mine since they're only one year apart.

Bill

[fcooper]

The Freightliner help desk phone is 1 800 385 4357. It is free. They will need the last 6 digits of the VIN number, so have that handy if you call.

Fred

[Trackrig]

I do remember seeing the chassis build date and it was either Jan or Feb of 2004.

Bill

[fcooper]

My answer may apply depending upon the build date of the chassis. The System III wiring system for gauges/indicators was used up through June 9, 2002. If the coach was built on a chassis that had been sitting for a while, this is possible. If your chassis build date is later than June 9, 2002 contact the Freightliner helpdesk for more up to date info. The symptoms you describe certainly sound like the the System III like what I have on my motorhome.

For diagnostic info on the System III, download the link below as it is a freightliner service bulletin on troubleshooting the system:

SB 54-12 (Freightliner)

First of all, those lights chasing themselves around in a pattern is a classic symptom of low voltage. An alternator problem or a battery problem could cause this.

It could also be a bad link between the engine data bus and the VDC (Vehicle Data Computer). If data from the engine bus is not received by the VDC within 45 seconds, the MC (message center) will begin scrolling (initiate a chase pattern). When communication with the engine data bus is re-established, the system will begin to function normally (see page 6 of SB 54-12).

I hope this helps.

Fred

[Big_Katuna]

I have an 05 Expy. I havent seen your problem but I have had a few random check engine lights.

I bought the Silverleaf diagnostics software and cable and put my laptop on the dash.

It let me know that I had a problem with a turbo boost sensor that turned out to be a bad connector at the sensor and I had a low water signal from the coolant tank.

It would tell you if you actually have a problem or if its just the display going wack which would be my guess.

Freightliner wanted $175 just to read the codes, nothing else so I bought the Silver leaf for about the same price; $250 I think and now I have it.

At minimum I would pull the display out and check the connectors and ground.