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#71
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: Getting Jakes Working
Last post by luvrbus - April 12, 2026, 06:48:54 AMThat will work for you just be careful the 60 series get ugly with rods through the block ,me I would wire the switch to the brake lite switch with a relay so it only had power with a light touch of brake pedal to activate the Jakes . Have you tried Diesel Control (DCS) in Cheswick PA and asked him what is causing the problem? with the b500 and series 60 you have a communication glitch some place ,your plan will work
#72
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Getting Jakes Working
Last post by Glennman - April 11, 2026, 10:16:51 PMI just got my bus back from a local mechanic who was trying to troubleshoot my Jake brakes. From a previous post, I had mentioned that the bus is equipped with Jake brakes but they had never been hooked up. The wiring harness is there, I installed an OEM switch, nothing. So, I took it to a local mechanic and he determined that even though the ECU has the Jakes turned on, the multiplex system is not set up for them (schematics say "not used"), and he concluded that I would need to take it to MCI to get them working, which is out of the question.
That being said, I'm going to be installing a wire run from the dash to the engine and he is going to come out and hard wire the Jakes. The problem is that due to the direct hard wiring, the transmission, brake pedal, fuel pedal etc. will be excluded from its function.
With the research I've conducted, I would need to operate the Jakes in a "manual" fashion. That would include monitoring my RPMs keeping them between 1500 to 2000 RPM, I would need to tap the brake or downshift the transmission (and continue to watch RPMs) to a lower gear (4th gear for instance) and not apply fuel while Jaking. I cross over White Pass here in Washington quite a bit and I need to hold my speed to 25 MPH because the westbound direction is pretty steep for quite a distance. Other passes we've been over is Lookout Pass, 4th of July Pass and Dead Man's Pass, which can be a real brake burners.
My plan is to only use the Jakes when crossing over passes like those. Otherwise, they will remain off. What do you people think of all this? By the way, my new mechanic is great. I was introduced to him through jbnewman who was in the Yakima area picking up a 4106 bus. He is very knowledgeable and it turns out that we knew him years ago. While he had the bus, I had him replace my valve cover gaskets, cam seals on the ends of the engine and give the engine and other systems a good look over. It's great to have someone local who is willing to work on it!
That being said, I'm going to be installing a wire run from the dash to the engine and he is going to come out and hard wire the Jakes. The problem is that due to the direct hard wiring, the transmission, brake pedal, fuel pedal etc. will be excluded from its function.
With the research I've conducted, I would need to operate the Jakes in a "manual" fashion. That would include monitoring my RPMs keeping them between 1500 to 2000 RPM, I would need to tap the brake or downshift the transmission (and continue to watch RPMs) to a lower gear (4th gear for instance) and not apply fuel while Jaking. I cross over White Pass here in Washington quite a bit and I need to hold my speed to 25 MPH because the westbound direction is pretty steep for quite a distance. Other passes we've been over is Lookout Pass, 4th of July Pass and Dead Man's Pass, which can be a real brake burners.
My plan is to only use the Jakes when crossing over passes like those. Otherwise, they will remain off. What do you people think of all this? By the way, my new mechanic is great. I was introduced to him through jbnewman who was in the Yakima area picking up a 4106 bus. He is very knowledgeable and it turns out that we knew him years ago. While he had the bus, I had him replace my valve cover gaskets, cam seals on the ends of the engine and give the engine and other systems a good look over. It's great to have someone local who is willing to work on it!
#73
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: DETROIT DIESEL DDDL Diagno...
Last post by luvrbus - April 10, 2026, 07:32:25 AMQuote from: windtrader on April 09, 2026, 10:12:43 PMok, I looked up other options and found this chart
FYI - I did find options to get access to DDDL software for a day or two for a small fee.
Just planning for an inspection trip if this deal comes together.
I also discovered there is a diagnostic tool for the Allison HD4060 transmission
If the deal is close to me you can use my Pro/Link Plus 9000 to check the 4060 Allision and series 60 I have the cards, cables, manuals for both and the printer .Watch the fees some of those have a $300.00 hidden fee to access each ECM with DDDL
#74
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: DETROIT DIESEL DDDL Diagno...
Last post by Iceni John - April 09, 2026, 10:39:50 PMThe least expensive way to buy a Pro-Link 9000 scanner for Detroits is to buy a used one off eBay for 1990s GM cars, then it will be cheap because A) who cares about 1990s GM cars now?, and B) they came with the 12-pin Packard connector which is also what my bus uses, saving you 50+ bucks for the adapter. Then buy the DDEC software cartridge that you need, and throw away the GM cartridges.
For DDEC II users, just bear in mind that there are two different versions of DDEC II cartridges, one for earlier DDEC II that also has DDEC I, and a version for later DDEC II that also has DDEC III. I first bought the DDEC I and II cartridge but it didn't work on my engine, so I then had to buy the DDEC II and III cartridge which works great. Even needing to buy two cartridges, I spent only about three hundred dollars for my Pro-Link, including the case and a printer and some extra cables.
John
For DDEC II users, just bear in mind that there are two different versions of DDEC II cartridges, one for earlier DDEC II that also has DDEC I, and a version for later DDEC II that also has DDEC III. I first bought the DDEC I and II cartridge but it didn't work on my engine, so I then had to buy the DDEC II and III cartridge which works great. Even needing to buy two cartridges, I spent only about three hundred dollars for my Pro-Link, including the case and a printer and some extra cables.
John
#75
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: DETROIT DIESEL DDDL Diagno...
Last post by windtrader - April 09, 2026, 10:12:43 PMok, I looked up other options and found this chart
FYI - I did find options to get access to DDDL software for a day or two for a small fee.
Just planning for an inspection trip if this deal comes together.
I also discovered there is a diagnostic tool for the Allison HD4060 transmission
FYI - I did find options to get access to DDDL software for a day or two for a small fee.
Just planning for an inspection trip if this deal comes together.
I also discovered there is a diagnostic tool for the Allison HD4060 transmission
#76
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: DETROIT DIESEL DDDL Diagno...
Last post by luvrbus - April 09, 2026, 03:44:10 PMYou don't need the DDDL it will cost you a fee of around $900.00 a year to use it connects to the DD main frame. All you need is the 9000 Pro link will do anything you need to do it will read and delete the codes and you can toggle the setting if they are in permitters of the DDEC like the 2 setting for HP and others. I have the DDDL on a lap top but I refuse to pay their licensing fees to use it, same goes for Allision and Bendix now. You can use a Silver Leaf on a MS tablet as you drive it will give you all the info for the engine driving even the tire pressure if the vehicle has the Bendix TPM sensors in the wheels, you are wasting money to buy the DDDL,the draw back to a Silver Leaf is you cannot delete a code but what you are after the Silver Leaf works great on the MS tablet with all the split screens ,
#77
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / DETROIT DIESEL DDDL Diagnostic...
Last post by windtrader - April 09, 2026, 02:49:05 PMI'm researching the method for connecting to a DD Series 60 12.7l DDEC IV and viewing the diagnostic codes, alerts, events, readings, logs, etc. So far reads like Greek, what do I need? From what I gather you need an adapter/cable, windows laptop, and the DDDL software.
eBay has numerous options but it seems the proper equipment and software specs are important. Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link PRO (DDDL) offered in different versions such as 8.1 8.3 sp3, etc. Adapters include NEXIQ USB Link 2, J1708/J1587J1939 adapter with USB 6/9 pin cables, Dearborn DPA5.
eBay has numerous options but it seems the proper equipment and software specs are important. Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link PRO (DDDL) offered in different versions such as 8.1 8.3 sp3, etc. Adapters include NEXIQ USB Link 2, J1708/J1587J1939 adapter with USB 6/9 pin cables, Dearborn DPA5.
#78
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Windows in a Bus Conversion an...
Last post by Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM - April 08, 2026, 11:52:58 AMChoosing how many windows to include and what type is one of the first big decisions you'll face in any vehicle conversion. Windows aren't just about the view: they shape the feel, light, ventilation, comfort, and even how well your bus retains heat in hot weather or cold.
Whether you decide to keep most of the factory openings, replace them with custom RV-style windows, or strike a balance between the two, this article walks through the pros, cons, and real-world experiences of living with your choices, including how windows interact with heating and air conditioning in your rolling home.
Click on the link below to read this article.
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/articles/regular-articles/windows-in-a-bus-conversion-and-or-air-conditioning/
Become a member of BCM for only $20 annually and gain immediate access to all New Articles about converting any vehicle to a home on wheels, six months before non-members. You will also have access to other valuable information and discounts on all RV components, as well as read over 2,500 articles on Bus Conversions that apply to any RV conversion you are interested in.
Whether you decide to keep most of the factory openings, replace them with custom RV-style windows, or strike a balance between the two, this article walks through the pros, cons, and real-world experiences of living with your choices, including how windows interact with heating and air conditioning in your rolling home.
Click on the link below to read this article.
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/articles/regular-articles/windows-in-a-bus-conversion-and-or-air-conditioning/
Become a member of BCM for only $20 annually and gain immediate access to all New Articles about converting any vehicle to a home on wheels, six months before non-members. You will also have access to other valuable information and discounts on all RV components, as well as read over 2,500 articles on Bus Conversions that apply to any RV conversion you are interested in.
#79
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / Re: E15 vs E10 Ethanol
Last post by luvrbus - April 08, 2026, 02:01:16 AMQuote from: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on April 07, 2026, 06:35:42 PMHow will this affect my Series 60 and my Wrico Generator when this takes affect on May 1st?
None because ethanol is not used in diesel fuel, it is only used in gasoline, your diesel engines would not like that stuff but are sort of ok with the 20% bio diesel sold today. FWIW I read the fuel specs on your year model of the 12.7 in your bus it calls for no more than 15% bio diesel ,I would watch that a set of rebuilt DD injectors installed will get you a $5000.00 plus bill
#80
Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) / E15 vs E10 Ethanol
Last post by Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM - April 07, 2026, 06:35:42 PM How will this affect my Series 60 and my Wrico Generator when this takes affect on May 1st?