Speed Limiter

tony_soprano1980 · 8 February 2005 21:23

Need a bit of advice. For the last week or so my unit has been running without a speed limiter. Basically, the truck broke down and when repairing the problem a certain garage who shall remain nameless knocked off the speed limiter. I have a red warning light on my dash with EDC which i’m told is part of the engine management system… I have reported this to my TM and am waiting for it to be booked in to be fixed, I am keeping my speed below 60 on the motorway but it is difficult and have once or twice been over 60, however only for a few seconds. I’m told the problem must be resolved by MAN as it is part of their engine management system. Question is, am I in the clear to keep running like this as i have reported the matter several times or do you think i should just down tools until it’s fixed. Thanks

discopete · 8 February 2005 21:36

EDC or Electronic Diesel Control, i.e the bit that keeps your engine running, NO EDC, NO Brum Brum!

If you have a RED warning light on, that usually means STOP, I would expect a breakdown to occur very soon!

Yellow lights are more of an informative light to let you know there is a minor fault and get to your nearest dealer Red warning lights are of a more serious nature,and tend to mean, pull over now and ring for assistance

Garages dont just knock off the limiter by accident, What and Why did they do it, its not them that will get strung up its YOU,

If the limiter is not working then it must be fixed ASAP, If the vehicle is booked in at a garage, then you should be OK legally as you have noted the fault and taken action to get it sorted, but that does not mean it has stopped working so it is booked in for repair in three weeks time,

I mean in the next day to two days at the most,

Also your tacho’s will prove you are aware of the fault and are doing your best to stay within the legal limits

I would down tools and refuse to drive until fixed, RED warning lights are not good!

tony_soprano1980 · 8 February 2005 21:43

thanks for the quick reply… When the truck broke down it had to be bump started by pulling it with another truck… There are specific reasons why this was the only course of action. It has been confirmed by the garage that this would have caused the limiter to cut off. It was in their garage the next day to have a new starter motor fitted (the cause of the breakdown) and the limiter was to be repaired also.

When I collected it the next day I was told that only a MAN dealer could fix it, i’ve reported it now 3 times and starting to get a bit conncerned that it’s still on the road like this. Thanks for the advice. Will get on to my TM in the morning

discopete · 8 February 2005 21:52

Sound like the computer has picked a fault up because of the bump start, it might just be a case of MAN plugging into the truck and erasing the fault,

I would still get it seen to ASAP, like I say RED lights are not good,

Not fimilar with MAN’s internals I can’t help any more than that

chunky · 9 February 2005 11:26

According to the Freight Transport Association book of transport law:-

"A vehicle with a limiter cannot be driven on a road without the limiter functioning unless it is:

completing a journey during which the limiter accidently ceased to function; or
going to a place where the limiter is to be replaced."

Reading that I dont think you should be driving it.

brit_pete · 9 February 2005 11:48

If you have reported it to your traffic manager , ? DO you have a written

system for regerstering faults with your vehicles if not write two copies

and when you give 1 up in the office get them to sign with a stamp

marked with your firms name on it also stateing weither they have

booked it in to a workshop for repairs. also drive slower than 55mph

stay around 49-45mph, when you do this you will not have to keep on

checking that your excceding your speedlimt

But what one member has already said TELL em to get if fixed

and dont drive it until they have,WHAT do you do if the engine

was to run away at full speed in a area where you may cause

damage that will be unforgiverble,

scanny77 · 9 February 2005 13:53

YOU drive it, YOU are responsible for it, its YOUR licence if you get pulled over. it aint worth it mate. we all know how hard the authorities are on us so dont make it easy for them

does bump starting affect the limiter? i had a flat battery a few weeks ago on a DAF55. i was on a slight slope so i bumped it myself and the thing refused to go over 32mph. 6th gear was totally unusable. the fitter came out and pulled the limiter fuse out so i could drive it back to the yard and it was fine then

jd_123 · 9 February 2005 15:07

Once you have returned to base, by law you need to get it fixed. Either at the depot or drive it to the dealer. Any other travelling is illegal. Police are rarely interested in a defective limiter, but any vosa inspection will result in prosecution.

First offence is usually at least £200, so it is best to stick to 50mph until it is fixed, or refuse to drive it.

paul_midway · 10 February 2005 00:56

funny things those man trucks , i had a warning come up on the screen in january informing me that the trailer lights had failed …no surprise there except for the fact i didnt have a trailer on

almost as good as getting a black ice warning in the middle of summer

quinny · 10 February 2005 01:17

If it’s written down in the defect book,and you have a copy,your ■■■■ is covered.It’s then down to your company to take steps to have it repaired.

End of.

Ken.