1st major problem
#1
Right now I'm in Dallas, Texas and headed up to Portland, Oregon. My friggin' truck is starting to have an electrical issue. Headlights and the dash lights are flickerin' really bad. Either the alternator is going bad or my v-belt is shot. Either way, my mentor says to keep going until it dies because we have to get to Portland. I personally think we're not gonna make it before we break down.
I'll update later when we're sitting on the side of the damn road waiting for a repair truck.
#2
Originally Posted by carlos64030
Right now I'm in Dallas, Texas and headed up to Portland, Oregon. My friggin' truck is starting to have an electrical issue. Headlights and the dash lights are flickerin' really bad. Either the alternator is going bad or my v-belt is shot. Either way, my mentor says to keep going until it dies because we have to get to Portland. I personally think we're not gonna make it before we break down.
I'll update later when we're sitting on the side of the damn road waiting for a repair truck. ![]() Check the ground prong on the trailer connection at the trailer. Many times these get pinch shut and will cause a ground feedback into the other systems. You just take a small tip screwdriver or pocket knife (do not use your favorite) and slighltly spread the prongs. This has fixed the issue your or discussing for me many times. And also check the trailer pigtail on both ends to make sure it is completly in and locked.
__________________
"I discover the principles that work and work them, I am forever learning new principles that interaccomodate with what I already know, to the betterment of my life and my world. As principles are revealed to me, I cheerfully record them, use them, and share them. Principles are, without question, the fastest way to what I want." Author Unknown OOIDA
#3
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Central IL between the corn and the beans
Posts: 4,977
Yeah, there is a real good chance the problem is in the trailer and not the truck if you are experiencing flickering.
Another possibility is to check the batteries and make sure all connections are tight.
__________________
Finding the right trucking company is like finding the right person to marry. I really comes down to finding one whose BS you can put up with and who can put up wih yours.
#5
Board Icon
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 12,859
Lots of scales between Dallas and Portland(say hello to Cabbage for me) but anyway, Unless you're just going to be running in the Daylight you're waving a flag to State Patrols and the Dot to pull you over
Curious what, if anything, you're putting down on your VI? One thing leads to another and if you're not putting anything down your asking for a HUGE Log Book Falsification Ticket
__________________
#6
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 535
Originally Posted by Uturn2001
Another possibility is to check the batteries and make sure all connections are tight.
Running with the kind of electrical problems the OP is talking about is a bad idea IMO. You can end up on the side of the road in a bad place. Better to pick your place than get yourself into a dangerous situation- say, heading up the hill into Oregon... No load is worth putting yourself and/or others in danger. I know, I know- it ain't a perfect world. I'm just giving my opinion as to what I would do.
#7
No load is worth putting yourself and/or others in danger. I know, I know- it ain't a perfect world. I'm just giving my opinion as to what I would do.
__________________
![]() ![]() When a white army battles Indians and wins, itis called a great victory, but if they lose itis called a massacre.Chiksika, Shawnee |



