My New 2002 MCI D4500 Tag Axle Light

[Glennman]

Hey all, I will probably start to post my slow progress on the "projects" board, but for now, here is a link to my cheesy first drive home (its about 12 minutes of boredom for those who need a good night's sleep).

https://youtu.be/uKX2QMQ_XZQ

That being said, the tag axle red light on the dash said something to the affect like "tag axle air low". In looking at the tag wheels, they were somewhat high. I drove it home anyway and it drove like a dream boat. However, I need to figure out this light.


Someone on this board (if I recall) posted a link to a manual. I tried to find one on the MCI site, but I was only able to get to this weird proprietary site. I never did figure out how to get it. The seller thinks they might have all that, or knows where to get one apparently, but for now I thought I would ask all you people.


One more question if I may hijack my own thread. There is a clear fuel filter (water separator) in the passenger side engine access door that shows only about 2" of fuel in it. The bus runs great though. Isn't that supposed to be full to the top with no air?
There will be plenty of other things to write in for, but I figured I better not tax all your minds and time too much at once.  Thanks all!   Glennman

[CrabbyMilton]

Liked the video and it looks like you have a nice D4500 there. Hehe, that semi wasn't gonna back up for the world. How in the world do they back up a double?

[hogi6123]

Your fuel filter is normal.  Sounds like it's nice and clean.  Here's 1 thread discussing it :

https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=10688

[hogi6123]

I don't know the specifics of your bus, but mine has the "tag axle low air" light also.  There is a "Unload tag axle" switch which lets the pressure out of the tag air bags, I think mostly for adding traction to the drive wheels if they get stuck.  I would check that switch, and then check that the valve it controls is getting the signal.  And listen for air leaks near the rear axle. 

[buswarrior]

Are the tag axle air valves properly open down the back?

Curb side engine access door.

Don't run 'em with no air, bounce and rough on tire wear, and steering will be lighter, due to weight transfer rearward.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

I can't believe you actually got it, and I thought I had gotten a good deal! That's some plum.

Jim

[Glennman]

Hey guys... I was out of town for the last 4 days, so I didn't get time to respond to your replies. I'll check out the air valves and switches, etc. as you all suggest. Also, thanks for the link to the filter discussion. Very good information.

I'm taking the rest of the week off, so I'll (finally) be going over every inch of the bus, every door, cavity, looking on top, checking every thing I can find. Then I'll start pulling the seats out. I sure am hoping to be able to sell the seats, but there is probably a COVID-19 glut of extra busses and seats out there.

My goal at this point is to get it to a "vanilla shell" so I can start the next level of dreaming!

[Busted Knuckle]

Liked the video and it looks like you have a nice D4500 there. Hehe, that semi wasn't gonna back up for the world. How in the world do they back up a double?

It ain't easy and takes a LOT of patience! Very slow and easy steering wheel adjustments and sometimes starting over by pulling forward to straighten up.
It's even tougher with a set of doubles w/tractor on the back of a wrecker! Used to make the foreman at the UPS terminal we serviced mad because his drivers (who couldn't do it) used to bet me $100 I couldn't back up with their truck and a set of doubles hooked up!
Eddie got to where when he'd see me hit the lot he'd come out hand me the $100 bill and tell me "drop it all right there we got to get it inside and work on it!"
  BK 

[Jim Blackwood]

ROFLMAO!