[Richard]

Thursday-As stated the coach died with no warning while going up hill around mid day. I had just looked at the gauges because we were climbing 6% for over 7 miles in 90 degree temp. I commented to Rhonda how well the coach was running. That turned out to be my first mistake.

The coach starts to slow and by the time I realize the engine is not running, I barely have time to clear the white line. The coach will remain in this position until Sunday.

My first thoughts were plugged fuel filter. Looking at the bowl I did not see the classic symptom of fuel up to the top of the filter. I didn’t see any fuel at all. But focusing on the most likely cause, I changed the filter. After multiple priming attempts, and multiple attempts at cranking, it is clear the engine is not letting any fuel in. No white smoke at the exhaust, no diesel smell at the exhaust, and the fuel level in the bowl does not move while cranking.

I now suspect a DDEC issue of some sort for two reasons. Last year I had a no start in a campground just like this, that I sort of figured out was the DDEC relay in the passenger foot well. And for the last month we have been getting a Non Volatile Checksum Error on the Prodriver and VMSPc. Interweb research on this error said everything from ran mine that way for years to EEK! DDEC is dying replace immediately.

I spend an hour testing every fuse and circuit that feeds the DDEC. All are good. Lesson 1.. This was learned later, but this is the point to bring it in. If you suspect DDEC power issues, don’t waste hours chasing fuses. Unplug the two connectors on the right side of the DDEC. On the large one, it will be clear the red wires are positive and the black wires are negative. The reds should show 12V to the blacks if the key is on. On the 30 pin connector, B3, second row from bottom, pink wire, should also show 12V. If you have 12V on those inputs, don’t waste time with checking any further.

It’s now 2:30. I call the local places, only 40 miles away. Many don’t answer. The ones that do don’t have a DDEC or don’t know what one is. Sigh. I found a shop in Grand Junction that says they have them and they can program them. OK, it’s 180 miles away, but here we come. First, thank you Elon Musk and Starlink
or the phone calls could not have been made. Second, the speed limit in Utah is 80. You just won’t believe how fast an old Subaru Outback will go when leaned on.

Get to the shop at 5:01, but they are still there. Except they don’t have a DDEC III, they only have DDEC IVs and there is no way the box can be programmed before Friday because the master program must come from Detroit Diesel. They are closed for the day.

Rhonda and I get a room and try to sleep.