Quote:
Originally Posted by mechman600
Exactly. There are so many sub-systems in the latest diesels. EGR. VGT. Common-rail injection. DOC & DPF aftertreatment. SCR (urea) aftertreatment. Even the engine has it's own private CAN so the systems can all communicate with the ECM over two wires. Imagine how complicated it is to manage all of this. When the factory updates software to cure a problem in one sub-system, it usually screws up something in another because they are all working together. It seems like an never ending process.
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Wow -- HD Diesel powerplants have gotten a LOT more complex since the days of say a non-DDEC Detroit 6V92 (personally one of my favorite, mass-produced old screamers).
It sounds like real-time customer diagnosis and Diesel emission regulations have become the main reasons for the extra tech, which is sounds good, but I bet really tricky to diagnose when it goes wrong (But 2-wires for the main COM? There has to be a lot of data streaming over those, at tight intervals). Like the customer with low boost -- with fly-by-wire throttles "making a request" of the computer(s) what in what to do (in our case, ignition timing, transmission action, etc.) old-school drivers are probably concerned if the the pedal is mashed and doesn't result in what used to happen. It sounds like education / re-education is needed these days. The "throw a visible code" and "reduced power" modes must extend engine/driveline life, with drivers that know what they're doing.
But, the idea of a "Firmware/Software Update" concerns me with my PC, let alone a rig that's probably worth more than my house -- and with owner-operators that aren't making money if their truck is in the shop. I still say, yours sounds like a cool job.
I wonder what our Pilots think here (I know you're out there). Straightforward information though instruments/gauges in everything from a Piper Cub up to a new 787 or A330 (and everything in-between) -- with critical info "audibles" and master caution / warnings -- and how that perspective translates to the average road vehicle feedback...
RH77