Espar

Devon Wartluft 167 posts since Jan 31, 2018
Espar Oct 9, 2020 8:25 PM
Vin JSJR2939
P4 with opti idle
Came in with an Espar (airtronics) inop complaint. Found that the controller would turn one, I could count
to maybe five it would go dark, maybe flash once or twice more then the indicator lamps on the sides of the
controller would start dimly and quickly flashing.
Found that at connector down at the espar had about two volts. So I thought I was loosing power or ground
somewhere. Tested it with a 100w head lamp. Lamp was bright and maybe lost about a volt (I figure because
the gauge of wire cant quite handle the draw.)
Finally got to where I found that when issue was present I have anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 on positive to ground
and 10.8 to 11.5 on ground to ground. I tried test controller, harness between controller and espar, espar ecu
thinking one of those was causing a short, but no go. Unplugged each plugin and fuel pump from espar ecu
voltage issue still present. The only way I can get voltage to normal back is by unplugging the large 14 pin
espar harness connector or pulling the small 5amp enable circuit fuse next to the espar.
Did inspect the harness that runs along the passenger side between the kick panel, behind the fridge and rear
cab wall. (Didn't remove the black panel at the lower half that runs along the back wall.) Didn't see any obvious
signs of damage/pinches/rubs.
The only way I can get it to run is to take a test battery made jumper to bypass truck side. Take a jumper
between the negative post on the test battery and vehicle batteries and unit will run properly. To me says a bad
ground (my thoughts at the jumper/junction in the back wall). But where I'm hung up is why would the vehicle
side harness keep a head lamp bright but not run the unit.
Anyways the customer had to take the unit so I'll have it back in a week or two, that way it will give me time to
think on the issue.
Tags: espar, p4

Jesse Gutierrez 431 posts since Mar 5, 2017
Re: Espar Oct 13, 2020 10:27 PM
Possible poor or loose connection to the controller so disconnected it passed load test, did you drag test and
inspect the terminals ?

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Espar

Devon Wartluft 167 posts since Jan 31, 2018
Re: Espar Oct 16, 2020 4:56 PM
Tried with test harness and controller issue still present. The only way I was able to get it to run was by using a
test battery and ran a jumper from vehicle ground to the test battery ground.

Talbert Simonian 1,786 posts since Nov 21, 2014
Re: Espar Oct 13, 2020 11:51 PM
Do you have a Espar Test Tool? It is a fault code reader. You should have one for the Parksmart unit. It helps
nail down the issue. Your LOOKS LIKE A Espar Airtronic.

Devon Wartluft 167 posts since Jan 31, 2018
Re: Espar Oct 16, 2020 4:57 PM
Unit fortunately no, working with the boss to get the updated edith tool and software for the shop.

Michael Palumbo 1,455 posts since Nov 13, 2014
Re: Espar Oct 14, 2020 1:38 AM
Attached Airtronic PDFs.
• Airtronic 2-4 NA Manual_08-2016.pdf 13.0 MB Preview
• Troubleshooting Airtronic.pdf 69.3 KB Preview
• Airtronic+D2_Rev3a.ppt 5.4 MB Preview
• airtronic_opguide.pdf 97.1 KB Preview

Joshua Flatley 26 posts since Aug 25, 2015
Re: Espar Oct 14, 2020 8:08 PM
check the blend door in the parksmart when it sweeps from hot to cold it changes the voltage to the espar if it
does not move the heater will not get the proper voltage

Devon Wartluft 167 posts since Jan 31, 2018
Re: Espar Oct 16, 2020 4:59 PM
Unit doesn't have park smart, or are you just referring to the blend door in the sleeper in general. Either way
good info.

Myles Green 7 posts since Jul 26, 2019
Re: Espar Oct 15, 2020 5:26 PM

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Espar
I know it’s silly but is the ignition on when operating the espar? We’ve had a lot of recent
customer complaints of espar inop when key is off...

Devon Wartluft 167 posts since Jan 31, 2018
Re: Espar Oct 16, 2020 4:58 PM
Units with opti idle can either have the key on or in accessory. This unit has the opti idle and is doing it in both
positions. Units without opti idle have to have the key off.

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