Dad about to buy a 2000 D2 TD5 - Quick Question

[mattadelaide1975]

Hi all,

My dad is down here in Adelaide at the moment, and is about to purchase a 2000 D2 TD5.

He has had it checked out at my Mechanics.... and the bus is in real good nick, ony has a few minor issues, that will be fixed once purchased.

The only "major" issue according to the Mechanic is the intermittent visiting of the Three Amigoes.

The current owner advises that these 3 Gentlemen only appear once every 5- 10000kms.

Since dad will be driving this bus back to Mackay, he is slightly worried about their appearance.

The question is.... Does he need to get this looked at prior to leaving for QLD, or can it wait... or should it wait until they show up on a permanent basis?

Thanks

Matt

[alien]

Hi all,

My dad is down here in Adelaide at the moment, and is about to purchase a 2000 D2 TD5.

He has had it checked out at my Mechanics.... and the bus is in real good nick, ony has a few minor issues, that will be fixed once purchased.

The only "major" issue according to the Mechanic is the intermittent visiting of the Three Amigoes.

The current owner advises that these 3 Gentlemen only appear once every 5- 10000kms.

Since dad will be driving this bus back to Mackay, he is slightly worried about their appearance.

The question is.... Does he need to get this looked at prior to leaving for QLD, or can it wait... or should it wait until they show up on a permanent basis?

Thanks

Matt
If the lights come on it will not affect the brakes on highway use.
Loose of traction control and downhill decent will occur but these are realy off road features.

You may able to get someone to put a nanocom or sililar on before leaving to get an idea of what is causing the fault.
2 quick starting point before leaving....
I'd check the earth wires behind the L/H headlamp(infront of the air box).
Also check the plugs to the main Wabco unit, particually the large plug with the black wire.

Cheers, Kyle.

[biggin]

Check "the good oil" section.
There is good information on 3 amigos.

Here is a link:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/good-oil/34321-electronic-driver-aids-including-3-amigoes.html

If this is your biggest problem it should not cost much to fix.

Very rarely must the modulator be replaced although many dealers may want to charge you to do this if the wheel sensors are not the issue.

Many people put up with this problem for years with little ill effect, other than those mentioned by alien below.

[bsperka]

Had a similar problem. Brakes will work ok with 3 amigoes-no ABS though. Check ABS wiring block, esp green/ yellow wire ?This can come liose. Push it in hard.

[mattadelaide1975]

Thanks guys.

Have been driving today since dad picked it up and have found that the 3 gentlemen only appear if the breaks are pushed hard on. Is if some tool pulls out in front of you. So would this be a loose wire?

My driveway .looks good at the moment.

2000 D2 td5 and a 2004 d2a v8.

Cheers

Matt

[bsperka]

Easy enough to do. Push in all the wires on the abs connector in the engine bay. If going thru brissie (just south of city off gateway motorway), pm me and i'll chk slabs faults on nanocom. Don't do option b etc without diagnosis.

[mattadelaide1975]

Some good news... touch wood.... after removing the electrical connector from the ABS unit, and spraying both the plug and socket with electrical contact cleaner, then doing the same for the earth points, and tightening the earth points, the Three Amigoes appear to have gone on holidays.

Took dads truck for a drive up through the hills, up and down a small track where we could engage 4L, DHC and get TC to operate. All performed as it should. On the way back we did some controlled heavy breaking, and the Amigoes never appeared. We continued the heavy breaking a few times, and unlike before, the Amigoes didnt appear, so hopefully, for the moment, they have bid farewell to dads truck.

Thanks everyone for your help :)

Cheers

Matt