Help Mr. Wizard

Moot · Jun 22, 2008

Help Mr. Wizard. I don't want to be a QC technician anymore! My QC died Friday night while on a load and having been pre-dispatched on another load. Never thought would admit this, but I miss my QC. What a pain calling in all the time.

First thing I did was check the fuses. Both are fine. Today I have time to do some in depth investigating. But first I must thank GM for locating the fuse box under the driver's seat. Almost as clever as routing the brake lines over the fuse box under the hood.

So I have 2 fused power leads tapped off of my fuse box. Both fuses are good. One lead has constant voltage. The other lead, only when the ignition switch is on. I have no power to the keyboard or the antenna.

I noticed each power lead has a fine gauge multi strand wire, clear like speaker wire, but 20 gauge or smaller. I traced both single wires to where they come together as one dual wire. I traced the dual wire under the floor mat and up the inside of a plastic kick panel. I removed the panel and found the wires dangling. A yellow piece of tape covered the stripped ends.

Apparently they had been connected to something, but I don't know what. I removed the tape and hooked a volt meter to the wires. Nothing. Then i turned on the ignitions. 12 volts. I twisted the wires together and the QC came on.

The only problem is that the QC only works when the ignition is on. These two wires must have been connected to an ignition on something or other. Any ideas??

Also what would happen if I disconnected both fused leads and ran them directly to my auxiliary batteries with a switch in between?I would like to get this situation remedied today and save a trip to my friendly authorized QaulCom repair shop.

greg334 · Jun 22, 2008

Moot,
I am surprised at you, you know there may be a pinched wire that does not allow the electrons to pass, maybe it is knotted up or the tape is on too tight. You know them electrons need a lot of space.

I really don't have an answer for you because my QC is solar operated to avoid the QC electrical tax and it runs all the time.

Now one of the wires is supposed to be hooked to a constant 12 volts, and the other goes to the ignition or switched 12 volts.

Yes you can hook it up to you aux battery but remember to switch the thing off when you are done.

Because I can't see through the forum, and my telepathy is not working anymore, I can't tell you which one goes to what.

Tennesseahawk · Jun 22, 2008

I would not hook them up directly without a fuse. If anything happened, you would likely be blamed for bypassing any safety equipment.

ebsprintin · Jun 22, 2008

Mr Wizard was a good show.

eb

always confused · Jun 22, 2008

not being a qc tech this is just info: the constant power lead is to allow the unit to be remotely accessed even when vehicle is off. this allows for position updates etc. if you ever noticed the unit comes on for a few minutes every hour; even with ignition off. so putting a switch in the power line would defeat this feature. it would allow 'stelth' moves : like going to store without "starting the clock". depending on who your leased to this might be a good thing for you....

cheri1122 · Jun 22, 2008

Yep - until they notice at HQ that they aren't getting those updates, and force you to visit your friendly qualified QC facility....
Moot, you really miss the QC? I miss it the way I miss my ex ... (but my aim is getting better, as the bumpersticker says)

Moot · Jun 22, 2008

I miss the QC because at Panther I need the QC. Friday night I pulled over at a service plaza about 10 miles from my delivery to check the local directions and do other essential duties before delivery. The QC was dead. So I had to call in to inform dispatch of the fact and to get the locals.

Then I had to call in my arrival time. Then the P.O.D. and since I was pre-dispatched for another load I had to obtain all of that info. I got a five hour break and drove 3 miles to the next pickup. Call in arrival time. Call in weight, piece count and departure time. Then arrival time and finally P.O.D. and departure time.

So maybe in the morning I will go visit the nice QC repair person.

always confused · Jun 22, 2008

cheri: i don't know how often HQs checks for missing updates, but the concept of turning off the qc isn't new. i don't remember exactly how but a few years ago a driver showed me a series of keystrokes that turned off the qc. i'm sure that info is still avail from some savvy driver.

late4dinner · Jun 23, 2008

To turn off the QC first the truck must not be running. Then #1 Hit arrow down once #2 type in the unit serial number #3 hit enter #4 hit arrow down button 4 times #5 hit the "y" button the unit should turn off at this time. The next time you turn your key on the unit will restart.

Jack_Berry · Jun 23, 2008

is this a coincidence or a convergence of twos? 24 hrs after reading moots first post my qc died. sitting at the toledo j for a fix tomorrow. if you are in the neighborhood..........i am in the tan transgroup chicago shirt.