REAR AIR GAUGE NOT WORKING

[DANO2014]

I have a Allegro Bus 2002, Freightliner Chassis. I have been having problems with the Rear Air Gauge that would work sometime and most time not. When it doesn't register the correct air pressure my air alarm buzzer would sound continulessly.
I am a new member to RVNet in fact join last week even though I have been a Good Sam member for approx 25 years including the VIP Plan.
During my visit in RVNet and going through the Forums I located other members with the same problem I was having and instructed me to check out the VEHICLE DATA COMPUTER (VDC)for Cold Sorters, even had drawings, instructions on how to remove this item, location of unit and where to look for the problem areas inside. What a sweet deal, made me a happy camper as I was getting ready to replace this unit with a new one at a quoted price of $758.00 not to mention Labor and expenses getting it to and from the repair dealer.
I tackled this myself as I am not a mechanic by any means but I know just enough to be dangerous. I located my VDC unit under the bed over the engine bolted against the rail on the passenger side just like the instructions stated. Followed instructions, removed unit, disconnedt air lines after bleeding down air tank, disconnected two electrical plugs which was all instructed on the print out sheet.
I did not want to take a chance of re-sorting this myself so I took it to a locat electronic business here in town and repaired this unit in approx 5 minutes and best of all did not charge me to do this.
Returned back home and replace VDC unit, installed air lines which are color coded RED & GREEN, installed the two electrical plugs which are different size so you can't go wrong. All & All it took me approximately 45 minutes to complete the job including running to town to have it sorted. Very simple operation even though we are skeptical about attacking this type of repair on our own but it will save us some money. If I could not have repaired it then install the new one.....can't hardly lose!!!!!
Thanks to RV.Net for your help and of course Savings...

[fcooper]

You can download from the link below. It is from the files section of the IRV2 forum.

download VDC repair doc

Fred

[Canadian_Rainbi]

kalsbeek wrote:
Good stuff!!
Would one of you be so kind as to post the article or direct me to it.
Thank you.

Me too please.

Our 2002 Itasca Horizon as almost a twin to the Journey!

We had a similar air gauge problem twice though the alarm didn't go off. First time it was just a bad electrical connection on the back of the gauge, the second time it was a bad gauge. Rare, I know. The Freightliner tech didn't believe it either. Said he had never seen one fail.

[RayChez]

Yes I am interested also since my vacuum gauge has never worked since new. Was wondering if some wiring had broken in the VDC?

[kalsbeek]

Good stuff!!
Would one of you be so kind as to post the article or direct me to it.
Thank you.

[fcooper]

It's good to hear that you got good advice. I've always found this forum to be very helpful.

I've have the repair instructions on my laptop, and carry the soldering iron in the motorhome. So far, that has prevented mine from failing.

Fred

[TEO]

It's great to hear another happy camper who tackled this job. Congratulations!!!

Paul

[smlranger]

Yepper. Did same repair myself on my previous coach, a 2002 Journey. I can't count how many folks I've sent that article to. My re-solder job lasted two plus years then the VDU failed a second time. I finally replaced it. It was about $400 for the new unit.