Lost Power

[connitaylor]

We have a 2010 Coach House motor home with a Mercedes engine on a Freightliner chasis with approximately 10,000 miles on it. While in WY, we were doing 75 MPH and all of a sudden lost most of our power. Could not get above 60 with the pedal to the floor. No warning lights came on from the computer in the steering wheel. We pulled over and stopped for about 5 minutes. When we restarted, we had full power again. We were fine for about another 500 miles when the same thing happened again. Apparently, the system clears itself, but makes us nervous not knowing why or when it might happen again.

Second question---We were on some very bumpy roads (interstate and side roads) and used the brakes more than usual. After one hard braking, the ESP light came on telling us something was wrong with the brakes (ABS light). Since there are few Freightliner dealers in WY, we stayed the night in an RV park and the next day went to Casper WY to the Fremont Dealership where they cleared the brake history in the computer and could find nothing else wrong. Back on the road again.

We spoke with Freightliner directly and neither they nor other dealers we spoke with could find a solution to the lost power problem. Once the ESP light cleared itself, we have not had another problem. But the lost power made us cut our trip short and head home.

Any ideas for either of these problems?

Thanks

[wolfe10]

Did you have an MB truck engine dealer check for stored codes?

Any other gauges read irregularly at the same time-- such as voltmeter?

Brett

[connitaylor]

Yes, all codes were cleared.

All other gauges read fine.

[wolfe10]

Ya, without a stored code or other symptoms, they would be caching a ghost.

If this happens again, be sure to check for other things (such as voltage) that go abnormal at the same time.

With a phantom issue like this, it is always a good idea to check electrical connections at the engine for cleanliness/tightness.

I have not worked on the MB engine, but can tell you that, for example, a loose ground connection for the engine computer can cause some VERY strange behavior from any electronically controlled engine.

Brett