Yahoo Message Number: 70204 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70204)
I'm traveling this week and having issues with my engine coolant temperature. The first day it wouldn't get above 170 degrees because the cooling fan was running full speed.
The second day it's running hot to the point of temp warning and had to pull over to cooldown. Fan only running mid speed.
I have the Sauer Danfoss controller but don't know if that's the problem or a sending device. If I disconnect the plug going to the controller the fan will default to full speed and the engine temp runs about 175 degres with 75 degree ambient. I'm also towing.
Anybody have any suggestions? Any repair shops that can handle this type repair around Flagstaff, Las Vegas area.
My last resort is to head back to Dallas for service at National RV Storage.
Thanks
Buddy Bordes
06 Inspire 360 C9 Cat 400
Yahoo Message Number: 70208 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70208)
? Sounds to me like a faulty thermostat. First time it was stuck open so that the engine could not warm up to the rating of the thermostat. The next time it stuck closed causing the engine to overheat. Before I worried to much about controllers and sensors I would check the thermostat/s.
Don Seager
2004 Allure 31046
Yahoo Message Number: 70209 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70209)
Buddy,
I can't believe it's the thermostat.
If the thermostat was stuck open the cooling fan would not run permanently on full speed.
If the thermostat was not opening, the engine temperature would not drop to 175 degrees, even with full running fan.
I would go for a sensor.
Hermann (the German)
2007 Inspire #52007
Here a Sauer Danfoss Service Center
Las Vegas Hydraulic & Repair 3780 Civic Center Drive
North Las Vegas, Nevada
89030
Phone: +1 (702) 43-0970
Fax: +1 (702) 643-0974
Yahoo Message Number: 70210 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70210)
Yahoo Message Number: 70212 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70212)
It's time for some maintenance, first change the two thermostats and at the same time replace the antifreeze coolant. Chances are neither have been replaced.
When you removed the plug from the controller, did you clean and grease the connectors. That worked for me.
Gil Bourdon
'05 Inspire
51322
C-9
Yahoo Message Number: 70214 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70214)
Gil, before you spend your "moo la" for coolant, do test strips just to give you some idea of coolant condition. If in good condition maybe it just needs the additive booster .
AL
00 affinity
Yahoo Message Number: 70215 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70215)
Sounds just like our 06-C9.
Our controller was bad. With the CAT engine the temp. sensors are part of the engine ECM.
With the ISL the temp sensors are separate.
Jw
06 inspire 51544
Yahoo Message Number: 70218 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70218)
Thanks Al, but after 6 years, I just assumed that the coolant was ready to change. Maybe it's my belt and suspenders approach:-)
Gil Bourdon
'05 Inspire
51322
Yahoo Message Number: 70219 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70219)
Desert West Coach, 1243 South 7th St., Phoenix, Az 85034, (602) 625-4430, desertwestcoach.com
Premier Motor Coach Services, Tucson, Eric Olstrom & Bob Snook, 520 624-2024
Chris Snyder, Tucson, 520 665-1014
Double Eagle, Las Vegas 702-458-4700
Gil Bourdon
Yahoo Message Number: 70223 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70223)
Not entirely correct James. This group has at least one member with 2004 Allure, ISL400 with fan controller input from the engine ECU. I believe his coach number 31078. Mine is 31038 and has separate sensors. Mine is not a 400 it is a 370. It seems that earlier, maybe early 2003 build and before, ISLs use separate sensors While later ones use EU input to the Sauer Danfoos controller.
George in Birmingham(Currently at Hilton Head SECC Rally) '04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 70224 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70224)
I get out the coach an go listen. I can actually hear the hum of the fan from inside. When I unplug the fan it goes to full speed and cools the unit down.
Yahoo Message Number: 70228 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70228)
When the fan controller was going bad in my 2006 Inspire, the easy way to tell was to listen when the exhaust brake kicks in. When the exhaust brake turns on, the fan should go to high speed to help slow the engine down. If you don't hear the fan go to high speed when the exhaust brake is engaged, then it seems to me that the fan controller is bad. Since this does not rely on temperature what soever, if the fan does not come on high when the exhaust brake is engaged, then the fan controller is bad. If the fan always goes into high speed when the exhaust brake is engaged, maybe one of the temperature sensors is bad but I doubt that is your problem.
My fan controller would work perfectly sometimes and then not work. Stopping and restarting the engine would usually make it work for awhile again. But I could always tell when it was not working since the fan did not go into high speed when the exhaust brake was engaged. Just my two cents.
Colton Truck terminal in Colton replaced mine at a very reasonable cost. I would recommend them for any chassis work. And no, I have no relationship with them, they have just always done a great job for me.
Orlan
2006 Inspire, 51701
Yahoo Message Number: 70230 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70230)
James,
I'm trying to understand this conversation. Are you saying the temp sensors feed to the electronic control unit for the Cat engine and that feeds over to the Sauer Danfoss controller that controls fan speed.
My understanding that a bad Sauer Danfoss controller needs to be programmed for the specfic type of coach which can take weeks.
Thanks
Yahoo Message Number: 70238 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70238)
If you order the correct controller it comes from the factory programmed for the coach. It took weeks to get mine because it had to be ordered from England I believe. You can wire in a switch to the dash which will get you going.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348
Yahoo Message Number: 70241 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70241)
Buddy
If you unplug the controller and it goes to high then that is the classic example of a controller issue. I ordered mine from Berendsen Fluid Power for under $400 and paid CAT $235 to install. Colton wanted a lot more. Any CAT shop can put their computer on your engine and tell if the controller is receiving a signal from the ECM.
Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9
Yahoo Message Number: 70243 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70243)
George,
Maybe in later years , 06 and up, ISL's caught up with CAT. My point was in 06 CAT's used the ECM temp. input.
Jw
06 inspire 51544
Yahoo Message Number: 70244 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70244)
As I understand it yes.
There are two controller part numbers., one for sensor input, one for controllers without.- such as C9.
There must be 200 emails on the subject in the files.-part numbers and all.
Jw
06 inspire 51544
Yahoo Message Number: 70255 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70255)
James,
I am talking about a 2004 Allure with an ISL 400 and input from the ECU not a 2006. I'm also not sure of why you think it is "catching up". I've never seen evidence that one set up is ahead of the other.
George in Hilton Head
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 70264 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70264)
As I was told "IN THE BEGINNING" the Sauer Danfoos cooling design had its own sensor inputs. CAT suggested the same info was provided In their ECM. I never implied, I hope, duplication of information was bad or good. From everything I've heard the temp. inputs are not the weak spot in the SD controller.
Certainly I was not judging ISL vs C9 .
Jw 06 inspire 51544
Yahoo Message Number: 70273 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70273)
Our 05 inspire had the same symptoms. The fan would run high and we would also have overheating issues. Turned out to be one of the two thermostats was broken. I thought it was the controler but i think the over heating may cause the ecm to report false demand to teh speed control. After repair of the thermostat teh fan speed returned to normal opereration. Hope this helps
Rod
Yahoo Message Number: 70370 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70370)
Thanks for the many responses. It's nice to know so many fellow CC members are helping other members.
One of the suggestions was Colton Trucking in Colton, Ca.. I have talked to Steve at Colton and he seems very familiar with all the issues of and has the parts on hand to replace controllers, sensors or thermostat depending on the diagnostics. I'm headed from Flagstaff to Colton next week to hopefully solve this annoying problem. Lucky for me I can disconnect the 3 prong connector and my cooling issue is controlled on the cool side.
Hope to get back on my travels later next week.
Thanks
Buddy Bordes 06 Inspire 360 C9 51887
Yahoo Message Number: 70381 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70381)
Buddy,
I had the same fan locked on high problem last year. A few simple electrical tests identified the coolant sensor. $20 bucks from Colton. $10 minutes to install. If you can get on your back and have a multimeter, call Doug Beaudry at Country Boys RV and he will walk you very patiently through it.
Rich 2002 Magna
Yahoo Message Number: 70565 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/70565)
Just wanted to give an update on my cooling problem.
I went to Colton Truck service in Colton Ca. and worked with Ed in service. They ended up finding my fan controller (Sauer Danfoss) bad and the smaller thermostat broken. ( They have a small and and large thermostat on the C9. They fixed both in a few hours and put a vacuum on the cooling system to suck all the coolant back in so it wouldn't have any air locks, which can happen and also cause problems. Very good people to work with and worth the extra 400 miles round trip to get this taken care of. They had the controller in stock.
Thanks for the many suggestions.