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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Sebulba on September 07, 2021, 06:10:25 PM

Title: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 07, 2021, 06:10:25 PM
Hello all,. Can someone explain in somewhat simple terms what is involved in flashing a computer in an MCI 9.

Can it be driven, maybe a limp mode, to go get this done?

Thanks

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 07, 2021, 07:04:12 PM
Flashing is reprograming sometimes that is the only way to remove a shutdown code,in the limp mode just clear the code causing the limp mode.You have a Pro/Link ?,43,44 and 45 are critical codes if any of those show I wouldn't drive it, me I would check the coolant level or jump the coolant sensor if it was running ok before 
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 12:35:21 AM
Thanks Luvbus.

The situation is that the fella that is selling this bus I'm talking about says that the computer was bad, so he got another one.  It just needs to be flashed.  The place that needs to be don is over 100 miles from the bus.

I assume the computer needs to be in the bus to flash it.  Maybe not. Maybe I could just take the computer to the "Flasher"?

Just trying to figure out what would need to be done if I were to buy this bus.

Thanks

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Bill Gerrie on September 08, 2021, 05:21:25 AM
Just take the computer to the guy with your engine serial number and they can reprogram it to match your original one.
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 08, 2021, 05:45:28 AM
I wouldn't buy the bus till the seller did the flashing it could have been the right ECM programing and the engine has a problem throwing the same code as the one he replaced
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 06:10:33 AM
Just take the computer to the guy with your engine serial number and they can reprogram it to match your original one.

OK, that makes it easier

Thanks
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 06:12:21 AM
I wouldn't buy the bus till the seller did the flashing it could have been the right ECM programing and the engine has a problem throwing the same code as the one he replaced

That was definitely a thought I had.  Makes me wonder why he doesn't just do it.  Hmmmm ::)

Thanks for your input.

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 08, 2021, 07:05:05 AM
That was definitely a thought I had.  Makes me wonder why he doesn't just do it.  Hmmmm ::)

Thanks for your input.

Seb


Going by the year model if it is the original engine that will be the 2 box DDEC l most people cannot flash one and they are more trouble than they are worth I would keep on looking 
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 08:06:17 AM


Going by the year model if it is the original engine that will be the 2 box DDEC l most people cannot flash one and they are more trouble than they are worth I would keep on looking

Interesting, thanks

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Busted Knuckle on September 08, 2021, 08:35:12 AM
Going by the year model if it is the original engine that will be the 2 box DDEC l most people cannot flash one and they are more trouble than they are worth I would keep on looking

My thoughts exactly!
;D  BK  ;D
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: belfert on September 08, 2021, 09:05:56 AM
Personally, I would get something with a modern four stroke engine if you can.  There are fewer and fewer places that can work on a Detroit two stroke, especially one with a DDEC I.  There are many places that can work on a modern four stroke engine.
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 08, 2021, 09:17:18 AM
Personally, I would get something with a modern four stroke engine if you can.  There are fewer and fewer places that can work on a Detroit two stroke, especially one with a DDEC I.  There are many places that can work on a modern four stroke engine.
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 08, 2021, 09:19:12 AM
2021 is supposed to be the last year Detroit supports the 2 strokes in the US except for the 53 series and that goes away in 2024 when the military (Navy) gets changed over to 4 strokes, 
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 08:54:07 PM
2021 is supposed to be the last year Detroit supports the 2 strokes in the US except for the 53 series and that goes away in 2024 when the military (Navy) gets changed over to 4 strokes,

All good input.  I am looking at all possibilities and this is good to know.

I guess I thought the 2 strokes didn't have a computer, and I liked that idea because it's simple.  But if it has a computer well, that's not really so simple.

I really appreciate all of your input.

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Jim Blackwood on September 08, 2021, 09:24:38 PM
Seb, the mid 90s DL3 used the DDEC 4 on the Series 60 four stroke, mounted on the engine. It seems to be the favorite engine controller for simplicity and the least invasive of bus systems. A transmission controller came with the B500 automatic, but again more of a standalone solution as I understand it. So for the minimum of intrusive electronics you get what more or less amounts to the best engine and best transmission for the least money. Plus they are falling out of revenue service and there are good deals on very serviceable buses. That situation can be expected to change eventually as the bigger commercial companies and govt agencies get rid of them. You can probably buy one now for a price very close to what an older 2 stroke bus will sell for. Worth looking at.

Jim
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 08, 2021, 10:50:00 PM
Seb, the mid 90s DL3 used the DDEC 4 on the Series 60 four stroke, mounted on the engine. It seems to be the favorite engine controller for simplicity and the least invasive of bus systems. A transmission controller came with the B500 automatic, but again more of a standalone solution as I understand it. So for the minimum of intrusive electronics you get what more or less amounts to the best engine and best transmission for the least money. Plus they are falling out of revenue service and there are good deals on very serviceable buses. That situation can be expected to change eventually as the bigger commercial companies and govt agencies get rid of them. You can probably buy one now for a price very close to what an older 2 stroke bus will sell for. Worth looking at.

Jim

Yes, I'm with you on that thinking.  I have my eye on a '97 dl3.

Exploring and learning as much as I can.

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 09, 2021, 05:48:47 AM
Yes, I'm with you on that thinking.  I have my eye on a '97 dl3.

Exploring and learning as much as I can.

Seb


You want a DL-3 with the 12.7 series 60 not the 11.1 and the B500 Allison not the 700 series Allison 
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: Sebulba on September 09, 2021, 07:05:27 AM


You want a DL-3 with the 12.7 series 60 not the 11.1 and the B500 Allison not the 700 series Allison

Yes, thank you for that input.  I figured that out already. 

It's kind of funny because I am always thinking out loud around my beautiful wife and one day I was telling her about a bus I found and she asks "what engine?" and I say "a series 60" and she says, "but is it the 12.7 or the 11.1?"  She actually does listen to me!

Anyway, I appreciate all of your input on this project.

Seb
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: belfert on September 09, 2021, 11:48:38 AM
I guess I thought the 2 strokes didn't have a computer, and I liked that idea because it's simple.  But if it has a computer well, that's not really so simple.

It was only the youngest two stroke Detroits that have a computer.  My quick Google search says 1985 or 1986 for the first DDEC engines.

Personally, I will only own a bus with electronics and a four stroke.  I have yet to have an electronics issue that shut me down.  I had to have some computer parameters adjusted, but it never shut me down.  The only thing electronic that doesn't work is the ability to set the idle speed with the cruise.  The cruise itself works. 

I know some like to be able to fix and rebuild their two stroke engines themselves, but I don't have the tools or expertise to do serious engine repairs or an engine rebuild.  Heavy duty diesel vehicles have been fully electronic since the mid 90s.  The biggest issues with electronics have mostly been since the 2007 engines came out with a lot of sensor failures for all the emissions controls.
Title: Re: 87 MCI Computer flash
Post by: luvrbus on September 09, 2021, 02:16:52 PM
The first electronic Detroit was in 1985 the 149 series ,then the 6L-71 and the 92 series,the series 60 came April of 1987 
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